Articles & Stories | Rockford IL

The Dog Days of Summer

If you’re looking to get a furry friend to brighten up your days, head to Bark on Mulford, 2002 S. Mulford Rd, on July 28 for their Dog Days of Summer event. Adopting a rescue pet can be one of the more rewarding things you can do as a pet lover. You provide them with a great home full of love, and they return that love to you tenfold. From 10:00 am - 3:00 pm, come out and meet a bunch of great vendors that are there to help you and your current or future pets!Mending Hearts Rescue (MHR) will be on-site microchipping pets for $20 from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. You’ll also be able to meet the sweet furry babies available for adopting.Red Curlz Mobile Grooming will be providing $10 nail trims from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm, with proceeds going to MHR.Pet Wants Rockford will be at the event with education for how to keep your pets on a healthy diet, Coleys Cooler ice cream truck will be there from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm with some tasty frozen treats. Of course, you have to stop inside Bark on Mulford to see all of their new treats and toys for your favorite four-legged friends. They have a great selection for dogs and cats alike. You won't be disappointed!

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Brit Floyd: Eclipse World Tour 2018

Brit Floyd, the world’s greatest Pink Floyd tribute show returns to the SMG-managed Coronado Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, July 24 for a very special '45th Anniversary' retrospective of Pink Floyd’s iconic 1973 album, The Dark Side of the Moon.Having sold in excess of 45 million copies and judged by many as the greatest rock album of all time, The Dark Side of the Moon was an ambitious psychedelic masterpiece that redefined rock itself and propelled Pink Floyd and its members to rock immortality. Brit Floyd will perform classic tracks from The Dark Side of the Moon alongside gems from Wish You Were Here, Animals, The Wall and The Division Bell plus lots more.The Brit Floyd show has truly become a phenomenon, widely regarded as the world's greatest live tribute to Pink Floyd. Faithfully recreating the scale and pomp of the final 1994 Division Bell tour, complete with a stunning million dollar light show, large circle screen and arch plus moving lights, lasers, inflatables and theatrics. A Brit Floyd show really is as close as fans will get to experience the magnificence of a Pink Floyd show live.Brit Floyd Eclipse World Tour 2018 on July 24 at the Coronado PAC is now on sale at Ticketmaster.com, over the phone at 815-968-0595, at the Coronado PAC and the BMO Harris Bank box offices.

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The Gathering: The Biggest Part of the Summer!

Exotic cars and bikes, EDM, Hip-Hop, Pop & Reggaetón, live graffiti, break dancers, local artists showing off their work, and MORE! The Gathering at Indoor Sports Center is the biggest party of the summer and it’s coming up THIS Saturday, July 21, from 5:00 pm – 12:00 am. $15 gets you in the gate and access to all of the attractions! There will be Clothing Vendors, Vehicle Vendors, Food Vendors (Pizza, Tacos, Snacks, Drinks), Local Business Vendors and More!If you want a great night out, The Gathering is the place to be. Dance the night away and eat a bunch of great food. What more could you want?! You can find more info on their event page HERE.

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Heroes Unplugged Benefit Show

The Rockford Chapter of Guitars for Vets is hosting “Heroes Unplugged”, the third annual benefit for Guitars for Vets (guitars4vets.org/), on Saturday, July 21st at the Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main St. The program will feature celebrity emcee Aaron Wilson, Malandrino, Paul Bronson, Post Facto, the Rockford Dance Company Cardio Tap Dancers, and the Rockford G4V Jam Band. The lobby doors will open at 12:45 p.m. for the start of a silent auction, and the musicians will perform from 1:00-4:00. Tickets cost $10 and will be available at the door.Guitars for Vets (G4V) currently operates over 80 chapters nationwide and is dedicated to sharing the healing power of music with veterans suffering from combat related mental or emotional distress. G4V pursues its mission by providing free guitar instruction and acoustic guitars in a structured program run by volunteers. Weekly private lessons are individualized and based on a curriculum designed to help students learn at their own pace and accommodate any physical and/or emotional challenges. Upon completion of the program, each veteran is presented with a brand new acoustic guitar and accessories purchased with donations. G4V, with headquarters in Milwaukee WI, was founded in 2007 and is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.The Rockford Chapter serves veterans who receive their health care through the Rockford VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic. Monthly Jam Sessions, held the second Monday of each month, provide an ongoing forum for veterans to continue their music-making journey.Checking out the benefit show will give money to a great cause, and will be a great night out for you. Let’s do our part to help these men and women get some great music lessons!

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10th Annual Fairy Festival Brings the Magic to Rockford

Fairies of all shapes and sizes will take over the Womanspace grounds, 3333 Maria Linden Dr, for an afternoon on Saturday, July 21st from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. The 10th annual Fairy Festival will offer a plethora of fairy-themed activities, including fairy crown, wand and necklace making, a story time fairy, a bubble fairy, a mermaid fairy and many more. The Rockford Dance Company will perform several dances and will teach a fairy dance to be performed by all the fairies at the end of the event, which concludes with a fairy parade and a special fairy treat.There will also be a fairy house competition for several age groups, starting at age 3. Houses will be judged by festival attendees with winners announced at the end.Tickets are just $10 in advance and $15 at the door. More information can be found at www.womanspace-rockford.org. Tickets may be purchased online, via phone or in-person.

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I Am Rockford: Danial Petrie

Born and raised here in Rockford, IL, Danial has developed a love and passion for our area that has led him to start his family here and be an influential member of the community. Speaking to Danial, you really get a sense for his genuine nature and caring attitude. He’s great at expressing his ideas, and he uses those ideas to better the town he calls home. Danial works as a Community Account Manager with Comcast. But, he is most well known in the Rockford community for starting The Fatherhood Encouragement Project. He always wanted to be the father that he never had growing up. From that passion, the initiative to bring Rockford area fathers together for a good cause was constructed. They hang out together, provide great events for family bonding, and give back to the community through charity events and public beautification projects. When Danial isn’t working, running fatherhood hangouts, or doing speaking tours, he loves spending time with his family. He’s been married for 3 ½ years and he and his wife try to go on date nights once per week. He believes you should always date your spouse. It keeps your relationship close and strong. They have two children and he couldn’t be happier as a father.Danial loves a lot of things about Rockford – our YMCA, the RACVB, Downtown Rockford, our police department, and the Rockford Park District. He truly believes that Rockford is on its way to changing a lot of things for the good. More people just need to come together to collaborate and improve on ideas instead of working separately. Fun Facts:Favorite - Movie: Courageous, Coach CarterTV Show: Chicago PDBook: The Pursuit of HolinessMusic: Contemporary Christian music, Jesus Culture is his favorite artistLocal Restaurant(s): Lino’s and Cucina di Rosa are favorite Italian places in town. Marc’s Fusion, Kuma’s, 15th and Chris He is a naturally funny guy. Danial speaks all over the country. He completed a 12 city tour last year.He is a published author. His book ‘The Power of You Are’ peaked at #14 on Amazon and he has another release coming soon. You can purchase The Power of You Are right -> HERE. Danial is a winner of the Red Cross Local Hero award. His passion and drive for helping people make him an integral part of our community. He’s a great speaker and his message is one of encouragement and inspiration. We are glad that Danial calls Rockford home.

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Lunch With a Superhero? Yes Please!

Sometimes you need to add a bit of action to your afternoon and have lunch with a Superhero. On Wednesday, July 18, from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm that’s exactly what you and your kids can do!Spiderman and Wonder of Woman will be on the case at Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden to make sure that your child has a fun and safe lunch. They can take in a story or two from their heroes on the beautiful grounds of Klehm. Make sure you don’t forget to take photos with your favorite superhero to show off later! Tickets much be purchased in advance. It’s $15 per child. Parents and children under 2 are free! Contact Klehm at 815-965-8146 for more info!

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Weekend Roundup July 13-15!

If you're anything like me and like live music and food, this weekend is for YOU! Here's your Weekend Roundup!Friday, July 13, 2018EIEIO @ Discovery Center Museum - view event11:00 am - 3:30 pmKids Yoga @ Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens - view eventRockford City Market - view event3:30 pm - 8:30 pmSki Broncs Water Ski Show @ Shorewood Park - view event7:00 pm - 8:30 pmFINAL SHOW! Born In 86 @ Mary's Place - view event9:00 pm - 1:00 amSaturday, July 14, 2018North End City Market - view event9:00 am - 1:00 pmYoga Among the Trees @ Klehm Arboretum - view event9:00 am - 10:00 amMac and Cheese Food Drive @ Olympic Tavern - view event5:00 pm - 2:00 amDavid Hayes Project, Paul Hare @ Mary's Place - view event9:30 pm - 1:30 amSunday, July 15, 2018Solo Italiano @ Franchesco's - view event11:00 am - 9:00 pmTotally Local Ice Cream Social @ Lombardi Club - view event1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Danielle Juhre Concert @ Klehm Arboretum - view event6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

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Plant a Row for the Hungry!

Do you enjoy planting vegetables in your garden? Do you tend to plant more vegetables in your garden than you can eat? University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners and local gardeners have been collecting extra produce to help feed those in need in Winnebago County. The Plant a Row for the Hungry kick-off is Wednesday, July 18, at the Edgebrook Shopping Center Farmers Market beginning at 11:00 am. Bring your extra fruits and vegetables to be donated and know that they are going towards a fantastic cause. All fresh produce brought in by local gardeners is donated to local food pantries. Last year, nearly 22,000 pounds of fresh produce was donated to pantries in Winnebago County.Rather than seeing the hard work that you spent growing your produce go to waste by not being able to eat or sell it fast enough, watch it go off and help families fight hunger and eat healthy!The Edgebrook Farmers Market is just one drop-off site. There are three year-round drop-off sites:University of Illinois Extension | 1040 N. 2nd St | Mon-Fri., 9:00-12:00pmRock River Valley Pantry | 421 S. Rockton St. | Mon-Fri., 8:00-3:00pm Winnebago-Boone Farm Bureau | 1925 S. Meridian Rd. | Mon-Fri., 8:30-4:00pmThere are 5 drop-off sites that you can use from July – September:Durand Town Square | Northeast corner of Durand Town Square | Mondays 10:00 am - Noon Cherry Valley Public Library | 755 E. State St., Cherry Valley | Tuesdays, 3:30-5:30pmEdgebrook Farmers Market | Edgebrook Shopping Center, Rockford | Wednesdays, 10:00am-noonTalcott Free Library | 101 E. Main St., Rockton | Wednesdays, 3:30-5:30pmThe Landscape Connection | 4472 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford | Monday-Saturday, 9:00am-6:00pm. Sundays, 11:00am-3:00pmIf you have any questions about Plant a Row for the Hungry, contact University of Illinois Extension – Winnebago County at (815) 986-4357 or visit their website at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/jsw.

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Free Public Art Walking Tours!

The Rock River Recreation Path is a scenic place that takes you right along the flowing Rock River. There are some great pieces of public art installed along the path, some of them by local artists! Many of them were donated to the Rockford Park District, and the free walking tours provided on Thursday at 11 am give you a great opportunity to see and learn about the pieces. These tours take you along two miles of the scenic path and takes approximately 1 ½ hour. The next date is tomorrow, July 12. If you can’t make it out tomorrow, there are two more scheduled for August 16 and September 13!The tour begins in the lobby of Nicholas Conservatory, 1354 N. Second St. Additional art can be viewed inside of the conservatory with the daily admission fee. If you can’t make one of the free public tour dates but have a group of people who would love to attend, they also offer scheduled group tours. To reserve a time, you can contact the Conservatory at 815-987-8858.A walk along the path adds a super peaceful element to your day. It’s also great to see other people outside enjoying nature and exploring with their families. This is a great opportunity to learn about some art and to get some exercise at the same time!

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Living the Farm Life at Discovery Center Museum

Despite the fact that we are surrounded by farms here in Rockford, not every kid gets to spend time on one and learn about the day-to-day duties. Next Friday, July 13, Discovery Center Museum is turning into a farm right in Downtown Rockford from 11:00 am – 3:30 pm. At the EIEIO event, you will be able to pet live farm animals, fashion a free-range fedora, turn your fingerprints into a cow, churn cream into real butter, design masterful mosaics from beans and grains, and create animal crafts. The whole exhibit is included in regular museum admission! So, grab the family and head down to Discovery Center for a day on the farm!

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Weekend Roundup July 6-8!

The best time of the week has arrived - the weekend! There's some really cool stuff going on this weekend including the Grand Re-Opening of a Rockford restaurant! Find all of that below!Friday, July 6, 2018Kids on Water @ Rocktown Adventures - view event10:00 am - 12:00 pmScience of Sports @ Discovery enter Museum - view event11:00 am - 3:30 pmRockford City Market - view event3:30 pm - 8:30 pmDanny's Gone Rogue @ The Hope & Anchor - view event7:00 pm - 10:00 pmThe Wizard of Oz @ Nordlof Center - view event7:00 pm - 10:00 pmSaturday, July 7, 2018North End City Market - view event9:00 am - 1:00 pmHistory Explorers: Mischief & Manners @ Midway Village Museum - view event10:00 am - 3:00 pmGrand Re-Opening @ The Sandwich Factory - view event10:00 am - 9:00 pmFairy Tale Tea @ Tinker Swiss Cottage - view event11:00 am - 1:00 pmComedy Night @ The Hope & Anchor - view event7:00 pm - 11:00 pmSunday, July 8, 2018Kids Art Day in the Garden @ Klehm Arboretum - view event

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Does Your Website Reflect Your Company?

It is often said that if you don’t exist on the internet, then your company doesn’t exist in real life. What is the most common first impression that people get? Your social media pages or your website. If your website is cookie-cutter and doesn’t stick out, or if it’s just pain unusable, customers are likely to look elsewhere for a business that puts effort into their online presence. The balance can be hard, and it’s difficult to find time to update your digital presence, but it’s important. NIU EIGERlab has a Tuesday meetup to discuss just this! Speaker Dina Renee Weiss, Chief Investment Officer | Financial Advisor with Redwing Financial will share her insights on the significance of your website.These days, it is more important than ever to keep your content fresh, up-to-date, and in keeping with changing times in order to continue to drive traffic to your site. While not every company needs an updated philosophical presence, each indeed does need to continue to craft meaningful content, services and interactive opportunities with the company. Social media is often utilized to drive sales or to generate a “buzz” surrounding a product or service; however, ensuring that each visit to your company site results in a meaningful experience is much more impactful to your company image. Learn how to overhaul your internet presence through the development of engaging language and company-controlled content. The event is Tuesday, July 10, from 5:30 - 7:30 pm. You can RSVP here: https://bit.ly/2KCiVkH

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4th of July Celebrations

The 4th of July is on Wednesday, and if you’re looking for where to celebrate, here’s your list!KABOOM! at the Discovery CenterJuly 4, 2018 | 11:00 amKick off the holiday with a family-friendly event at the Discovery Center! Experience some explosive demos and enjoy some snow cones and a good ole water balloon toss!4th of July Parade - RockfordJuly 4, 2018 | 7:00 pmThe parade heads north on 7th St, west on State Street, south on Wyman, west on Chestnut, and disbands at Chestnut and Winnebago streets. Make sure you get there early to secure your spot along the parade route. 4th of July Fireworks - RockfordJuly, 4, 2018 | 9:30 pmThe fireworks display begins at 9:30 pm. Head down to Davis Park or watch from your preferred downtown locations!Fireworks Extravaganza at the Rockford SpeedwayJuly 4, 2018 | Gates open at 5:30 pmIf you don’t want to hang out downtown, head over to the Rockford Speedway for a race and some fireworks!We want to remind you to please be safe. Don’t get too close to explosives and drink responsibly. And, of course, have a bunch of fun (and eat some great food!).

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I Am Rockford: Andrea Cook

I had the pleasure of chatting with Andrea Cook of the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (RACVB) and hearing about her life here in Rockford. One of the best things about what we do here at Rockford Buzz is that we get to chat with great people everyday who reconfirm our passion for our hometown through their kind personalities, their professionalism, and their commitment to Rockford. There are some conversations that you walk away from and you're in a good mood for the rest of the day. This was one of them. Check out Andrea's story below!Andrea is a Rockford native. She was born and raised here and completed all of her education in the area. A graduate of Boylan high school, she went on to further her education at Rock Valley and NIU, studying Textiles, Apparel, and Merchandising with a Minor in Marketing. Andrea’s education was the stepping-stone to her first career as a retail buyer, later working directly with a local advertising agency that led her into a marketing role for Edgebrook and eventually working her way to the RACVB as the Associate Director of Marketing and Communications. Exploring the town and hanging out with friends and her husband Nick are what you can find Andrea doing in her spare time. They enjoy going down to City market, trying new local restaurants, and catching some live music. Prairie Street and Anderson Gardens are some of their go-to’s for concerts, and those are going on every week! There are many to choose from. Andrea’s favorite thing about Rockford is the redevelopment and revitalization of the community. She has been able to watch it grow and flourish in several different and awesome ways. There are so many people dedicated to the community who understand the importance of Rockford and how working together will ultimately make our hometown even better. It’s also a super convenient place to live. You never have to travel far to get to any one place, and it’s centrally located near other major cities. It’s a large small town, we have the big city vibes and yet it seems as if there’s always a familiar face you bump into when enjoying things to do in the area.Fun Facts:Favorite - Movie: The Breakfast ClubTV Show: How I Met Your MotherBook: Gone Girl by Gillian FlynnMusic: Indie Rock, Spoon, The HunnaLocal Restaurant: Beef a Roo, Lino’s, Izakaya 88While going through a bucket list phase, Andrea went to Italy, went Skydiving, and got a tattoo.She loves to meet new people in hopes of getting to know them better and to create more community. That really means a lot to her whether it be connecting through shared experiences or learning new things about people or historical stories about her hometown. She’s always craving knowledge and helping to share what she’s learned with others as well.She grew up in the restaurant business most of her life. Her family owned Dom’s Pizza, which her grandparents started in 1957. She has been known to sling a few pizzas in her day and you can still find the family’s pasta sauce recipe bottled in local grocery stores today.Andrea is a fun person with a great personality. Her warm and inviting demeanor make her a great conversationalist and her caring nature makes her a great professional and friend. Rockford benefits from having people like Andrea working to make it even better; people who are kind, intelligent, and driven.

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Weekend Roundup June 29 - July 1!

Okay, who else can't believe July is already here? Where did June even go?? It's going to be a hot one out there this weekend, folks. So, no matter what you do, prepare for the weather! Here's your Weekend Roundup!Friday, June 29, 2018Pokémon @ Discovery Center Museum - view event11:00 am - 3:30 pmRockford City Market - view event3:30 pm - 8:30 pmPollyanna Night at The Olympic Tavern - view event5:00 pm - 8:00 pmNate Fry @ The Hope & Anchor - view event6:00 pm - 9:00 pmTundras @ Mary's Place - view event9:30 pm - 1:30 amSaturday, June 30, 2018North End City Market - view event9:00 am - 1:00 pmScience Saturday- Life Under Water @ Severson Dells - view event10:00 am - 2:00 pmSoundbox @ The Hope & Anchor - view event7:00 pm - 9:00 pmHair - presented by [usual] Suspects @ Nordlof Center - view event8:00 pm - 10:00 pmSunday, July 1, 2018Stand Up Paddleboard Yoga @ Rocktown Adventures - view event9:00 am - 11:00 amBlaum Bros Month @ The Olympic Tavern - view event11:00 pm - 2:00 am

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KABOOM! A Day of Explosive Family Fun!

The 4th of July is always a great family holiday. There are exciting fireworks, delicious food, and (usually) awesome weather for spending time outdoors. I’m partial to the food, but seeing the excitement on kids faces when fireworks light up the sky is great. Why not get those vibes started early this year?Experience a BOOMING day of fun during the KABOOM! event at Discovery Center Museum on July 4th from 11:00 am – 3:30 pm. This is a day of fun for all ages, so bring out the family to experience chemistry, physics, art and music and how they all relate to our most explosive national holiday! Discover the secret ingredients that put the “oohs” and “aahhs” in fireworks in our live science demonstrations. Test your rocket design, send a mini-missile soaring, and make a noise-maker. Turn stars and stripes into art, decorate a light-up hat, and paint with fireworks. Dress to get wet: if the weather is nice, we’re rolling up our sleeves for a water balloon toss and free snow cones!Get the fun going at Discovery Center before you head home for the family get-togethers and then maybe downtown for the fireworks display!All activities for the KABOOM! event are included with museum admission. Because we care about all of you, we must add the disclaimer: Please, please, please be safe on this day and every day! :)

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Kenny G Takes The Stage This Weekend!

Kenny G is gracing the stage of the Coronado Performing Arts Center this Friday, June 29, at 8:00 pm. You have the chance to hear the sweet tunes coming out of his saxophone as he takes control of the stage. In a recording career that spans almost three decades and 23 albums, Grammy Award-winning saxophonist, Kenny G, has grafted elements of R&B, pop and Latin to a jazz foundation solidifying his reputation as the premiere artist in contemporary jazz. Since the early ‘80s, his combination of unparalleled instrumental chops and indelible melodies has resulted in sales of more than 75 million records worldwide (45 million in the U.S. alone) and more than a dozen climbs to the top of Billboard’s contemporary jazz chart.Tickets for the show are available online HERE or at the Coronado and BMO Harris Bank Center Box Offices.

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The Deadersons Is Coming To Your TV!

Rockford very own sitcom is now coming to your TV! Twice a week, you can tune into local Comcast channels 17 and 57 to get your Deadersons on!The Deadersons is a homegrown sitcom produced and shot in Rockford by local multimedia company, Notebook Entertainment. It’s a zombie comedy for all ages featuring local actors, Rockford locations, and tons of laughs. It’s an modern day black and white show with an old school feel – laugh tracks and all! The Deadersons are just like your family, only zombies!The Deadersons local Rockford area TV showing schedule: Sundays 5pm – Comcast channel 57 Thursdays 5pm – Comcast channel 17 Fridays 5pm – Comcast channel 57 Saturdays 10:30am – Comcast channel 17It’s great for the whole crew that their brainchild is taking off in the local market and getting television recognition. They’ve received a bunch of love on YouTube (the show’s current home). They have over 64 Million views and almost 96,000 subscribers. Those are amazing numbers, and it just proves the level of talent and creativity that we have right here at home. You can stay up-to-date with The Deadersons here: https://www.facebook.com/thedeadersons

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I Am Rockford: Liz Miller

Our community wouldn’t be anything without the great people that live here. Every time that I talk to someone new, it just reminds me how great our town is, how supportive the community is, and how many passionate people live here. Even more, we have so many kind people here that brighten your day. All of the above describe Liz Miller. We sat down over coffee for a chat and she told me her story. You can find that here. Enjoy!Liz Miller is a Rockford-area native. She grew up in Loves Park and went to Harlem High School. After graduating, she attended Drake University in Des Moines with a major in Graphic Design and a minor in Advertising. In following her interest in the arts, design, and advertising, Liz currently serves as the Creative Services Manager and in-house graphic designer for the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (RACVB). She’s been with the RACVB for just over 5 years now and was hired as their Marketing Coordinator as her first job out of college. Through work, Liz met her best friend, Andrea. They began as just co-workers who worked close together. They quickly blossomed into best friends and their lives have been intertwined ever since. In her spare time, Liz enjoys hanging out with her family. Most of her immediate family is in town, so they are quite close. Proximity to them along with an abundance of family friendly events, parks, and venues make family days fun and exciting. Liz and her husband have been married for almost a year. September 2018 will mark one year of marriage (congrats!). She and her husband Bryan enjoy going to IceHogs games, City Market, and taking care of their Pit mix Macey. Doing projects around their new home also takes up much of their time. Liz’s favorite thing about Rockford is that we have everything here that she could want. We have great restaurants, fun events, and her family is around here to enjoy it with. It’s also a compact area while not being overcrowded. You never have to travel too far to enjoy anything in Rockford, but there is enough space for everyone to coexist comfortably. Fun Facts:Favorite - Movie: Ferris Buellers Day off, The Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy TV Show: How I Met Your Mother, Parks and RecBook: Jodi Picoult booksMusic: Classic Rock, Fleetwood MacLocal Restaurant: Lino’s if you’re with family or date night, Dairy Depot, and Pig MindsDuring one summer in college, Liz studied abroad and lived in Florence Italy, got her motorcycle license, and went skydiving. Liz is the type of person that you just enjoy talking to. She’s very kind and genuine which comes through during conversation. She’s passionate about Rockford, her job at the RACVB, and her family. She is the type of person you want to know, and our community is lucky to have her.

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Crusader Community Health Offering Free Youth HIV Testing for National HIV Testing Day

Crusader Community Health in partnership with various local community agencies aim to bring awareness to HIV on National HIV Testing Day on Wednesday, June 27, from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm. Location: The Loft Ten 191019 3rd Avenue,Rockford, IL 61104 In 2015, youth aged 13 to 24 accounted for 22% of all new HIV diagnoses in the United States. Most of those new diagnoses among youth (81%) occurred among gay and bisexual males. Young Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino gay and bisexual males are especially affected.Crusader Community Health wants to help our local youth that may be at-risk and not have the resources to get care. They will be providing education on safer sexual health practices, discuss the stigma surrounding HIV, and provide FREE on-site HIV testing. All youth are welcome to this event but especially those of the LGBTQI community.This is a great event for the youth of our community. Along with the education and free testing, there will be light refreshments, a performance by a local dance team, and door prizes and giveaways. If you are or know any one that would benefit from this event, please let them know. Let’s help our youth get the help that they deserve.

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ART IN BLOOM - The Four Day Floral Art Event!

Rockford Art Museum is in full bloom during four-day event Art in Bloom (Tuesday, June 26–Friday, June 29), as select works of art juried in the 2018 Rockford Midwestern Biennial are creatively interpreted through flowers and other organic material. Experience imaginative installations by talented local designers, as well as unique programs throughout the event.There’s just something about being able to view cool art. Then, having that art turned into more art. Participating designers include representatives of Abreo Restaurant, Anderson Japanese Gardens, Broadway Florist, Event Floral, Garden Arts Flowers, GreenFire Restaurant Bar & Bakery, Kishwaukee College Floral Design Program, Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden, Leaf River Landscaping, London Avenue Designs, O'Fallon's Fine Flowers, Petals & Pickin's, Stems Floral & More, Toni’s of Winnebago, and Pattie Wallander Designs.Admission is free with regular museum admission, except for the ticketed Art in Bloom Preview Party (Monday, June 25, 6–8 p.m., $45) and related programming. The Preview Part includes win and Hors D’oeuvres by Abreo. If you want a peek at the art before it's on display for the public, get your tickets HERE! Art In Bloom will be on viewTuesday – 10:00 am – 5:00 pmWednesday – 3:00 pm – 8:00 pmThursday – 10:00 am – 8:00 pmFriday – 10:00 am – 3:00 pmRelated Programming: “THE ART OF THE FLOWER” GALLERY WALKTHU, JUN 28, 11 AM $10 ADMISSION ($7 for members of partnering organizations)RAM Curator Carrie Johnson along with Event Floral designers Erin Stoffregen and Jordan Calgaro present an intimate look at the importance and meaning of flowers in art and design.FASHION IN BLOOM: TEA + LIVING COUTUREWED, JUN 27 | 11 AM–2 PM | $60RAM partners with local floral design shops Event Floral and POSKA, along with local fashion boutique b jones, to present this NEW fundraising event during Art in Bloom. Luxe Productions, Beth Ann Weis, Arch, and more collaborate with the presenting partners to create this unforgettable fashion show, complete with tea service from GreenFire Restaurant. Proceeds from Fashion in Bloom provide support for RAM exhibitions and education programs throughout the year. LIMITED SEATING, reservations required. Call RAM at (815) 968-2787 or visit rockfordartmuseum.org for tickets.Fashion in Bloom is sponsored by Midland States Bank, Lon & Dick Behr, Lana M. Engen CFP/Aspire Financial Group, Joan Stonecipher, Title Underwriters Agency, Gail & Hugh Funderburg, A. Tanner Design, Inc., Ahlstrand Family Foundation and Event Floral. This event is chaired by Jennifer Ahlstrand.

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Weekend Roundup June 22-24!

The weekend came rushing in along with all the rain. Thankfully, it's supposed to clear up after Friday! Here is your Weekend Roundup!Friday, June 22, 2018Diggin' Dinos @ Discovery Center Museum - view event11:00 am - 3:30 pmRockford City Market - view event3:30 pm - 8:30 pm2018 FVV Fan Fest @ UW Health Sports Factory - view event5:00 pm - 9:00 pmMusic on the Mall @ Edgebrook - view event6:30 pm - 8:30 pmSaturday, June 23, 2018River District 12 - view event7:00 am - 7:00 pmNorth End City Market - view event9:00 am - 1:00 pmRockford Vintage Market @ City Market Pavilion - view event9:00 am - 3:00 pmShop the Blocks: Retro Rockford - view event12:00 pm - 5:00 pm1964... The Tribute @ Coronado Performing Arts Center - view event7:30 pm - 9:30 pmMono in Stereo @ Mary's Place - view event9:30 pm - 1:30 amSunday, June 24, 2018Paddle Sport Demo @ Rocktown Adventure - view event1:00 pm - 4:00 pmMovies on Main: 3 Generations @ Nordlof Center - view event2:00 pm - 4:00 pmMovies on Main: Tangerine @ Nordlof Center- view event4:00 pm - 6:00 pmA Marvel-ous Magical Evening @ Discovery Center Museum - view event6:00 pm - 8:00 pmMusic at the Dells: Seth Glier @ Severson Dells - view event7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

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1964 – The Best Beatles Show on Earth!

Since the early eighties, “1964”...The Tribute has been thrilling audiences around the globe by taking them on journey through a quintessential moment in music history that will live forever.Over twenty years of researching and performing have made “1964” masters of their craft. They are hailed by critics and fans alike as THE most authentic and endearing Beatles tribute....which has earned them the distinction from Rolling Stone magazine as the “Best Beatles Tribute on Earth”. “1964” recreates an early ‘60s live Beatle concert with period instruments, clothing, hairstyles, and onstage banter with an accuracy that is unmatched.“1964” is: Mark Benson as John Lennon Mac Ruffing as Paul McCartney Tom Work as George Harrison Bobby Potter as Ringo StarrThe good news is, "1964" is hitting the stage of the Coronado Performing Arts Center this weekend! You can find this awesome show on Saturday, June 23, at 7:30 pm! Be transported back into a golden age of music and have these tunes and a great show entertain you. You can purchase your tickets online RIGHT HERE!

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Positive News, Stories, & Rockford Buzz Polls

Page 36 | Positive Stories & Articles | Rockford IL

The Dog Days of Summer

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The Dog Days of Summer

Brit Floyd: Eclipse World Tour 2018

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Brit Floyd: Eclipse World Tour 2018

The Gathering: The Biggest Part of the Summer!

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The Gathering: The Biggest Part of the Summer!

Heroes Unplugged Benefit Show

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Heroes Unplugged Benefit Show

10th Annual Fairy Festival Brings the Magic to Rockford

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10th Annual Fairy Festival Brings the Magic to Rockford

I Am Rockford: Danial Petrie

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I Am Rockford: Danial Petrie

Lunch With a Superhero? Yes Please!

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Lunch With a Superhero? Yes Please!

Weekend Roundup July 13-15!

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Weekend Roundup July 13-15!

Plant a Row for the Hungry!

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Plant a Row for the Hungry!

Free Public Art Walking Tours!

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Free Public Art Walking Tours!

Living the Farm Life at Discovery Center Museum

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Living the Farm Life at Discovery Center Museum

Weekend Roundup July 6-8!

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Weekend Roundup July 6-8!

Does Your Website Reflect Your Company?

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Does Your Website Reflect Your Company?

4th of July Celebrations

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4th of July Celebrations

I Am Rockford: Andrea Cook

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I Am Rockford: Andrea Cook

Weekend Roundup June 29 - July 1!

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Weekend Roundup June 29 - July 1!

KABOOM! A Day of Explosive Family Fun!

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KABOOM! A Day of Explosive Family Fun!

Kenny G Takes The Stage This Weekend!

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Kenny G Takes The Stage This Weekend!

The Deadersons Is Coming To Your TV!

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The Deadersons Is Coming To Your TV!

I Am Rockford: Liz Miller

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I Am Rockford: Liz Miller

Crusader Community Health Offering Free Youth HIV Testing for National HIV Testing Day

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Crusader Community Health Offering Free Youth HIV Testing for National HIV Testing Day

ART IN BLOOM - The Four Day Floral Art Event!

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ART IN BLOOM - The Four Day Floral Art Event!

Weekend Roundup June 22-24!

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Weekend Roundup June 22-24!

1964 – The Best Beatles Show on Earth!

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1964 – The Best Beatles Show on Earth!

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