Positive News, Stories, & Rockford Buzz Polls

Hey, I’m glad you came back to read about more of my week in Rockford! If you started with part one of my adventures, you read all about the local businesses and attractions that I had the privilege of experiencing. But, of course, vacations aren’t just bopping around town and seeing fun places to shop. There is always great food that comes with every new place you visit. Before traveling, I had received a lot of food suggestions from the Rockford Buzz and Rockford locals, so I had a general guide to work with before I even arrived. However, once we started going around town and asking for more suggestions, the list just kept growing and growing. To put it simply, I ate a lot of food that week. The plus side is everything I ate was delicious and the restaurants all had their own distinctive styles. I hope you aren’t reading this on an empty stomach!  Rockford Has Some Awesome Coffee SpotsFirst of all, we need to cover some beverage business. Unfortunately, I come from the land where you pretty much go to one of the hundred Starbucks locations if you want coffee. Just like with food, I was told there were some good coffee spots before arriving in Rockford. I was more than excited to try some of them out, and although I’m sure there is still stuff I missed, I have to admit that Rockford coffee beats any Starbucks you’ll ever find.  Rockford Roasting CompanyNothing beats freshly roasted coffee and impressive, unique flavors. I was treated to the Rockford Roasting Company twice and both times I devoured a lavender latte very quickly. It is easily one of the most delicious lattes I’ve ever had. Plus, it was awesome to see that they have dairy alternatives for people like me who can’t drink milk! I had oat milk both times, but they also offer almond milk. Wired CafeWired is not only a fun spot to just sit in for a while and take in the downtown atmosphere, but they also have some pretty boss coffee. I went for a caramel macchiato and a regular latte and I loved both of them. I tossed in a cinnamon raisin bagel with peanut butter as well and it was a pretty perfect complement to the coffee. Wired also offers coconut milk, almond milk, and soy milk as dairy alternatives! Meg’s Daily GrindAlong with the other two spots, Meg’s made me really wish that my hometown had more locally run coffee shops. The atmosphere was welcoming, there were some games if you went and wanted to play a game with someone, and the coffee and food was quite good. My go-to was a latte with soy milk and a lemon poppyseed muffin top. And yes, they offer almond milk and coconut milk in addition to soy! Okay, Now It’s Time To Talk About Food If you followed the Rockford Buzz on social media at all last week, I’m sure you noticed all of the food posts that were being shared. Not only do I just love to eat, but we figured it was the perfect opportunity to show first hand all of the different food options available in Rockford. Along the way, I made notes on everything I ate (yes, I am that nerdy) so I could tell you guys everything. Here we go! Woodfire Brick Oven PizzaI am admittedly a huge pizza buff, so when I was informed that there was a brick oven pizza restaurant, I was completely thrilled. Woodfire had a pretty extensive menu, but I went for a Margherita pizza. Let me just say that we have a few brick oven pizza places here and Woodfire blew them out of the water. If you haven’t tried their pizza, I recommend doing it as soon as humanly possible. It was well worth the Lactaid pill.  Vintage@501Who doesn’t love a solid burger? I was brought to Vintage@501 with the promise of a great burger and a bacon appetizer. I ultimately opted for a Hawaiian burger (with an AMAZING Thai barbecue sauce) and I was not disappointed. I’d take something from Vintage over a typical fast food burger anytime. Not to mention that million dollar bacon is quite good. Sisters Thai CafeAlthough I might be biased because I am a huge lover of Asian cuisine, I must say that Sisters was a high point of my foodie adventures. In addition to them offering Thai tea, they have some bomb spring rolls and pad thai. I’ve eaten my fair share of pad thai and the version I had at Sisters is one of the best I’ve ever had. (Fun fact: If you can’t have dairy, or don’t want dairy, you can get the Thai tea without the half and half!)Halo CupcakeJust like a few other places, I had the privilege of visiting Halo Cupcake more than once. Not only is the location really welcoming, but the cupcakes are fantastic and fresh. The first go around I went for a lemon blueberry cupcake and a strawberry champagne. If you’re a fan of cream cheese, I would definitely go for the lemon blueberry because the frosting is to die for. We returned on May 4th to celebrate Star Wars Day with some Star Wars themed cupcakes, and all I can say is the force is strong with this one. Sugar BritchesHearing the term “chocolate covered gummy bears” was a bit intimidating, but after trying them I am totally on board. Sugar Britches wasn’t a typical candy store as they had a decent amount of imported treats and flavors you don’t typically find. A good example in addition to the gummy bears is a draft beer jelly bean that I sampled. In addition to candy, you also have a good selection of truffles. We sampled a peanut butter truffle and it was one of the happiest moments I had all week. Olympic TavernI had been told around town that The Olympic Tavern was a must-see spot, and we listened to the suggestions! Right off the bat, I thought the location was really cool. I was informed by the Buzz that it’s actually one of the oldest buildings in Rockford which was truly neat to learn. Food wise, I was pleased to see Olympic offered poutine and cheese curds (I did a lot of cheating). In addition to appetizers, I went for a falafel sandwich which was also very good. Definitely don’t skip this place if you’re given the opportunity. Prairie Street Brewing Co.Speaking of cheese curds, we need to focus on Prairie Street Brewing Co. Before Rockford, I’d only had “real” cheese curds at the Minnesota State Fair, so I joked that any curds I ate had to beat those. Well, the curds in Rockford definitely killed the fair. Prairie Street’s sriracha dipping sauce was also a high point. Normally I’m prone to ranch, but this sauce was out of this world. Along with curds, we went for Korean BBQ wings and I channeled my inner Coloradan and tried the “Rockford Peach” wheat craft beer. Uncle Nick’sI was excited to see Mediterranean options in Rockford in general, but hearing the history of Uncle Nick’s made me positively want to give their gyros a try. Just like with a lot of the other food I ate last week, I’ve eaten a lot of gyros and I have to say that the sandwich I had at Uncle Nick’s was pretty darn good. The location was also neat in the sense of that downtown vibe. I would definitely go back. Stockholm InnBefore visiting Stockholm Inn, I had never really had Swedish food before. All I really have to say is I’m glad I got started with breakfast. If you’ve never had Swedish pancakes before, you really don’t know what you’re missing. They are quite large, so if you’re not a huge breakfast person be cautious ordering the full breakfast with eggs and protein. However, they are absolutely delicious. If you like crepes, you will love Swedish pancakes. Stockholm Inn also had really unique decor and a gift shop! Mexico ClasicoAfter a long day, sometimes all you want is Mexican food. I had Mexico Clasico suggested and I enjoyed it a lot. I witnessed the magic of tableside guacamole and experienced eating a tamale topped with shredded chicken for the first time. It was familiar but not familiar at the same time, and I’m glad I got to experience an exciting new place. Lucha CantinaBecause how else would you celebrate Cinco de Mayo? I had Lucha recommended to me the very first day I arrived in Rockford and although it took us a little bit to actually get there, it was well worth the wait. The menu is actually pretty extensive and they have some delicious queso. I opted for chicken street tacos and although they’re small, they packed a lot of flavor. Next time I come to Rockford, I think I will definitely make a return to Lucha and try even more food! So What Is The Verdict On Rockford?Now that we have gotten everything I did out of the way, I suppose I should close out with how I perceive Rockford now as opposed to how I perceived it (and Illinois) before my trip. In short, I really enjoyed Rockford. As someone who had never really explored the Midwest and didn’t know what to expect, I was pleasantly surprised. In addition to Rockford, I also experienced Chicago for the first time and saw what such a huge city is like. Although the city was exciting and different, I must admit that I loved Rockford more. It felt like everywhere I went I was greeted with a warm welcome. It’s like being scooped up in a big hug even if no one is hugging you, and that is something that I don’t think I had ever experienced before. At least not on such a grand scale. Everyone I met seemed excited that someone was visiting for the first time, and that I was curious about exploring and seeing what the area had to offer. I had been told about Midwest hospitality before I arrived and now that I’ve experienced it for myself I will say you guys should keep it up. You surely know how to make someone feel welcome and wanted. Of course I loved seeing my friends and making new friends at the Buzz, but a lot of what I loved was Rockford for what it is. If my visit has done anything for you guys, I hope that it rejuvenated some passion for your home and gave a glimpse into all of the unique things you have right in your own backyard. I live in a rather large city, so my week was a welcome change of scenery that I absolutely fell in love with. Until next time, Rockford. Thanks for treating me to such a special week, and a big thanks to the Rockford Buzz for including me in so much and giving me this opportunity to share my experiences with everyone. One day, maybe we’ll meet again.  

If you aren’t aware, social media is a massive tool for marketing. If you really think about it, your social media profiles are a way of marketing yourself. You present who you are – or, at least, the you that you want people to see. For businesses, especially local businesses, it’s a great way to connect to the community and keep your customers updated and in tune with what you’re doing. The question is always, “How do I use social media more effectively for my business?” From that, SocialROCK was born and it’s quickly turning into one of the best social media conferences in the Midwest. Yes, it takes place right here in Rockford! Winnebago Buy Local, the local non-profit organization intent on promoting local businesses and giving the owners a community to bounce ideas around in, began this great conference. Every year, they strive to make it even better than the year before. This year, it’s taking place at the beautiful Prairie Street Brewhouse, and the speakers are coming in from all over the country to talk about the importance of different platforms and tactics to implement your ideas. The speakers include: Andrea Wahl (Denver, CO), Alex Shebar (Chicago, IL), Daniel Hill (New Jersey), Erin Levzow (Milwaukee, WI), Valerie Morris (Colorado), and Jim Bohn (Milwaukee, WI).SocialROCK is on Monday, May 21, from 8:00 am – 4:30 pm. If you don’t have tickets yet, Last Chance tickets are still available WHILE SEATS LAST! Grab them here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/socialrock-2018-by-winnebago-buy-local-tickets-43108441509Your ticket purchase includes:All Day Conference presented by Winnebago Buy Local and talented big-ticket speakersMeet & Greet/ExhibitionComplimentary Coffee, & SnacksLunch from Prarie Street BrewhouseWinnebago Buy Local TakeawaysAccess to the private #SocialROCK After-Party on the Dock of the Rock River at Prairie Street Brewhouse (weather permitting) or indoors in the barrel room lounge.If you want to better your social media presence, grab your tickets today. You’ll walk away with helpful insights and a brand new look at how to use social to improve your marketing efforts!

Hello Rockford! Don’t worry, we officially met a couple weeks ago. So, I have a friend who has lived in Rockford pretty much her entire life and she has always told me that I was overdue for a visit. As someone from the West (Colorado, to be exact), the Midwest can be a bit intimidating. However, I have been eager to expand my “places I’ve been” list, so I decided the time was now to finally see this place my friend is so in love with and, of course, pay her some attention. You’ll have to forgive me for the perception I had of basically the entire state of Illinois before last week. In my mind, Illinois was John Hughes movies, the Rockford Peaches, the Chicago Cubs, and a really tall building. Not only did I quickly learn that Illinois isn’t just Chicago, but I learned that there’s actually a lot to do in Rockford!When we started talking about my trip, we came up with a fun idea to do a series for all of you to follow along with. If you follow the Rockford Buzz, you undoubtedly noticed the pictures from all of the adventures I was so kindly treated to. In addition to taking you along with me all week, the Buzz has given me the chance to do a first-hand write up on my trip and tell you about all of the stuff I had the privilege to do.Let’s get started! Rockford Has Some Pretty Unique Local BusinessSadly, I am used to seeing more “big box” retail and food options where I live. Aurora, CO is projected to have 500,000 residents by the year 2020, so the concept of shopping local isn’t very familiar to me. I was actually quite excited about the idea of seeing and exploring small businesses and let me tell you, Rockford definitely didn’t disappoint. I went to school for graphic design and have played instruments a majority of my life, so it’s safe to say I’m a more creative person overall. Not only was I excited to hear that Rockford had a fairly large art community, but I was pleased to find some local businesses that took creativity to the next level.  Rockford Art DeliThe Rockford Art Deli was probably the most up my wheelhouse in terms of media and what interests me creatively. I really enjoyed exploring all of the designs the RAD offered for both locals and visitors. I walked away with some high inspiration and, naturally, a bag full of merchandise. I’ll proudly sport around what I bought in Colorado and already have the Rockford magnets up. Plus, they have a dog! Luna Datura’s Curious GiftsLuna Datura’s was an unexpected gem that I had a lot of fun exploring. Talking with her and learning about what makes her so passionate about her business was really inspiring. It definitely made me want to whip out my Dragon’s Blood incense when I got home. Another added bonus is Luna’s is another shop with a dog! Ground Floor SkateboardsI swiftly discovered after exploring a bit that Ground Floor is actually the only independent skateshop in Rockford. Even if you aren’t much of a skater, I would recommend popping in just to browse around. There’s some really cool art on display as well as clothes and shoes. Seeing how artists transformed broken skateboards into paintings was really awesome.   Culture Shock Clothing & RecordsI was brought to Culture Shock originally because I am a fan of wacky socks and was told that they had a decent selection of socks to browse. Not only do they have fun socks, but they also have a ton of other goodies to feed both the nerd and music lover in you. I wound up walking out of Culture Shock with four vinyl records, socks, postcards, buttons, and a Symbol keychain. Just don’t ask how much money I spent. Bark on Mulford & The Canine CruncheryLet me just say that Bark on Mulford and The Canine Crunchery make me wish that we had more small businesses in my city. Your pets are welcome to join you and you have the opportunity to actually get to know the people you are buying from, know their stories, and get in touch with events they are kickstarting. I was proud to buy my dogs Jack and Abbey items from both Bark on Mulford and The Canine Crunchery. (ps, they absolutely love the treats from the Crunchery)Rockford Has Some Buzzing Attractions and Nature SpotsNot that I expected Rockford to be just shopping, but I was really excited to find out about all of the attractions and outdoor activities there are to do. In addition to being a creative, I am also a big science geek and I undeniably appreciate a relaxing walk outside. This might be an ongoing theme for my trip, but Rockford (once again) didn’t disappoint. Nicholas Conservatory & GardensI am a big fan of conservatories and nature preserves, so I was really excited to find out that Rockford had its own conservatory. We arrived at just the right time to participate in a butterfly experience, as well as walk around the conservatory fairly undisturbed. (Fun fact: They use blue Gatorade to attract the butterflies because it mimics the properties in pollen)Sinnissippi Bike Path & Rock RiverThe first stop around Rockford actually was to see the Symbol and stroll around the path along the Rock River. After a long morning of airports, it was really relaxing to get outside and breathe in some fresh air. The sound of the water was nice and checking out Symbol was also really interesting. I saw more of the path towards downtown as well and I just found it to be a really relaxing walk. Burpee Museum of Natural HistoryIf there’s one thing I love more than art it’s probably dinosaurs, so I was kindly treated to Burpee to see Jane and the rest of the dinosaur bones. I learned that with Jane, Rockford holds the most intact juvenile T-Rex skeleton in the world. I also had fun looking at a lot of Illinois environmental facts and wildlife. I walked away with some knowledge I didn’t have before, and I love that! Beyer StadiumRemember when I said the Rockford Peaches were a big part of how I perceived Illinois? Well, what kind of trip would it be if I didn’t see where they actually played. Forgetting the fact that A League of Their Own is one of my favorite movies, I am also a huge baseball fan. Seeing anything related to baseball history always gets me very excited. I was ecstatic to be able to see it for myself and walk the steps those pioneering women walked first. Rock Cut State ParkWrapping up what there was for me to do outside, I was treated to some time inside of Rock Cut State Park. I went on an extended camping for the first time last summer and have been itching to get back outdoors ever since. Rock Cut was a really good remedy for that because of the abundance there is to do. From what I could see there were trails for hiking, horses, bikes, and no doubt so much more. We meandered around Pierce Lake for a bit and it was nice to just disconnect and enjoy being outside. It’s certainly a spot I’d love to revisit and spend more time exploring other areas and trails.  You Give Up, Or Are You Thirsty For More?To be honest with you, there was so much recommended to us that we didn’t even have time to do everything! I already have a list in the works of things I want to do next time I am in Rockford because, yes, I want to come back. Everywhere I went, I felt like I was greeted with such open arms and enthusiasm, but we will get back to that later. If you noticed with this article, I didn’t talk about anything I ate. Trust me, the Rockford Buzz and the city of Rockford didn’t starve me. I was treated to some very delicious food and I am thrilled to tell you about the restaurants and treats I experienced. Stay tuned for part two to hear about all of my Rockford food adventures!

SecondFirst Church is one of the leaders in the initiative to take back our city for good and fun. On Thursday, May 17, at 6:00pm you can head over to the parking lot on the corner of Jefferson and Church streets for a great pop-up dinner and be surrounded by likeminded folks who love Rockford. We have a great community, and this is a gathering of hope; a gathering to show that our city is worth the effort in the face of all the negative news. People have abandoned downtown and the West Side and left it as a lost cause. Meanwhile, Rockford has been improving and is worth exploring! We want to keep pushing this positive movement. Tickets are $10 dollars and well worth it! They are pulling out the nice tablecloths and real plates to treat the people of Rockford. You can grab your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pop-up-dinner-with-the-arc-tickets-45525522062There will also be some folks from The ARC at the dinner as well. The ARC is an organization that serves intellectually and developmentally disabled kids and adults as well as their families. They’re striving to help folks of our city that are under-represented and are doing a great job. Come out and support your city and make some new friends over a delicious dinner! 

Well, folks, our team remains red hot as they invited the Manitoba Moose into their home on Friday night and swept them right on out! The IceHogs have played 7 playoff games and they have 7 playoff wins. According to my calculations, that means they remain undefeated in the playoffs!The second round went a little like:4-2 Win4-1 Win4-1 Win6-3 WinThe IceHogs are being led by Chris DiDomenico with 4 goals and  7 assists, Adam Clendenning with 1 goal and 8 assists, Victor Edjsell with 5 goals and 3 assists, and Cody Franson with 4 goals and 4 assists. Goaltender Collin Delia is rocking an impressive 1.64 goals against average and .948 save percentage through 7 games.Every line on this IceHogs team is stepping up to the plate when they’re on the ice. One thing that is noticeable during play is their relentlessness. There is no quit in this team. They’re always pressuring the puck. They’re always blocking shots. Our goalie is fighting through traffic to make huge saves. They’re playing as a cohesive unit, and it leads to fast, exciting, and fun hockey!Now that they’ve taken down the Chicago Wolves and the Manitoba Moose, they head to Texas to take on the Stars on Friday, May 18!Texas is led by Brian Flynn with 6 goals and 4 assists, Curtis McKenzie with 2 goals and 5 assists, Travis Morin with 3 goals and 3 assists, and Roope Hintz with 1 goal and 4 assists.Goaltender Mike McKenna has a 1.65 goals against average and .952 save percentage in 9 games played. The IceHogs and the Stars will be back in Rockford for games 3, 4, and 5 if necessary starting Tuesday, May 22! Make sure you grab your tickets and participate in the RED OUT!

Happy Friday, everyone! The weekend is finally here  and there are some neat things happening here in town. Here's your weekend roundup!Friday, May 11, 2018Plant Sale @ Klehm Arboretum - view event5:00 pm - 8:00 pmThat Gurl @ The Hope & Anchor - view event7:00 pm - 10:00 pmRockford IceHogs vs Manitoba Moose Home Game 2 - view event7:00 pm - 10:00 pmDany Laj & The Looks with Pink Beam @ Mary's Place - view event9:30 pm - 1:00 amSaturday, May 12, 2018Another Dam Cross Race & Reuben Aldeen Park - view event9:00 am - 2:00 pmSpring Clothing Drive @ Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful - view event9:00 am - 12:00 pmThe Woman in Black @ Artists' Ensemble Theater - view event4:00 pm & 7:30 pmSing It Forward @ Unitarian Universalist Church - view event7:30 pm - 9:00 pmThe Cash Box Kings @ The Hope & Anchor - view event8:00 pm - 10:30 pm Blind Date @ Louie's Tap House - view event9:00 pm - 1:00 amSwingbilly RFD @ Mary's Place - view event9:00 pm - 12:00 amSunday, May 13, 2018Mother's Day @ Lino's - view event11:30 am - 7:00 pmThe Woman In Black @ Artists' Ensemble Theater - view event2:00 pm - 4:00 pmSound Immersion with Tibetan Singing Bowls @ Namaste Studios - view event4:15 pm - 5:15 PMJannie Nelson Sings Patsy Cline and the Famous Moms @ Belvidere Moose Lodge - view event7:00 pm - 9:00 pmAnd, of course, have a very happy Mother's Day!!!!

The weekend roundup is back! If you're wondering what Rockford has going on this beautiful Saturday and Sunday, you've come to the right spot!Saturday, May 5, 2018Bird and Butterfly Gardening @ The Landscape Connection - view event10:00 am - 11:00 amRockford Ravens vs Fond du Lac Women @ Sportscore Complexes - view event11:00 amFree Comic Book Day @ Top Cut Comics - view event12:00 pm - 10:00 pmMikkeller Running Club Rockford - 38th Run  @ The Olympic Tavern - view event12:00 pm - 1:00 pmRockford Ravens vs Chicago Riot @ Sportscore Complexes - view event1:00 pm54th Annual Convocation to Honor Lincoln Laureates @ The Coronado Perfoming Arts Center - view event5:30 pm - 8:00 pmThe Boom Boom Room Live @ Louie's Tap House - view event9:00 pm - 1:00 amJF Gaziano & Beatmerchants @ Mary's Place - view event9:00 pm - 12:00 amSunday, May 6, 2018Mary Poppins - presented by Children's/Youth Theater Project @ The Nordlof Center - view event2:00 pm - 4:00 pmRCCA Presents Moscow Festival Ballet - Sleeping Beauty @ The Coronado Performing Arts Center - view event3:00 pmWe hope you all enjoy your weekend. Get out, enjoy the weather, and be safe! :)

If there's anything we know about IceHogs hockey it’s that they always find a way to make the game interesting. In heart-stopping fashion, the IceHogs and Wolves battled through six periods of hockey on Thursday night in Rosemont. The Hogs were trying to close out the series and the Wolves were trying to keep their season alive. With 2:38 left in the third overtime period, Victor Edjsell lasered the puck over the shoulder of Maxime Legacé from the right circle to crush the dreams of the Chicago Wolves. ICEHOGS WIN!!!!! ICEHOGS WIN!!!!!! Rang through the mind of every IceHogs fan still awake to see the goal or get the notification, quickly followed by the opening notes of Chelsea Dagger. There has been a lot to be excited about this year for Rockford hockey. Sweeping their bitter rivals in a crazy 3OT game and getting through to the second round of the playoffs is just another thing to add to the list. As the IceHogs sit and wait to see whom they will face in the Division Final, the Manitoba Moose and Grand Rapids Griffins will faceoff in their series-deciding game 5 on Monday. The winner of that game will come to Rockford to take on our hot Hogs. In the first round, the IceHogs had 6 players who were, at least, a point per game. Chris DiDomenico lead the way with 2 goals and 3 assists for 5 points in 3 games. Adam Clendening had 1 goal and 4 assists for 5 points. Victor Edjsell recorded 2 goals and 2 assists for 4 points with those two goals coming in the final game of the series. Cody Franson notched 1 goal and 3 assists. Carl Dahlstrom had 1 goal and 3 assists. Regular season point leader, Anthony Louis, notched 3 assists in round one. In 3 games played, goaltender Collin Delia came up huge with a 1.52 goals against average and a .949 save %. Heading into Monday night’s game, Grand Rapids has played two goalies, Jared Coreau and Tom McCollum. Coreau has a .62 goals against average and a .973 save percentage. McCollum has a 3.00 goals against average and a .891 save percentage. They have three players who are a point-per-game. Ben Street is their leading playoff producer with 4 goals and 3 assists in 4 games. Matthew Ford has 2 goals and 3 assists in 4 games. Brian Lashoff has 2 goals and 2 assists in 4 games. Manitoba’s goaltender, Eric Comrie is riding a 3.32 goals against average and a .908 save percentage. They have two players that are a point-per-game. Chase De Leo has 1 goal and 5 assists in 4 games played. Michael Spacek has 1 goal and 2 assists in 3 games played. Both of these teams played our IceHogs hard this past season. They have speed and their goaltenders have the ability to steal games. Our Hogs are coming in hot off of a sweep, but neither team can be taken lightly. The Central Division Final is going to be a battle, and it's one we are looking forward to following!The second round begins on home ice here at the BMO Harris Bank Center on Wednesday, May 9. Grab your tickets HERE before they’re gone!

You know when you meet someone and they just have the drive to help people and be successful? That’s exactly the vibe I got when I met Christy Moore. She is a kind person with a big heart who wants to make our community a better place. Christy Moore grew up here in Rockford. After moving to Chicago for a while, she moved back once she got married. Being close to her parents was important to her and she appreciates how Rockford is a great community to raise a family in. There is a lot of support here and many things for families to do together. She is a graduate of Boylan High School and U of I Champaign. She was in the business school for Marketing and Sales with a minor in Political Science. Her educations helped to propel her career. Christy was a Vice President of Sales, Recruitment & Training for a marketing and advertising company. When her son, Mike, turned two and her and her husband’s attempts to have a second child were unsuccessful, she decided it was time to quit the corporate world and start her own business. She felt family time was equally important as work time and feels empowered being able to be her own boss! She is able to work for herself by educating people about the benefits of essentials oils and helping to coach others on beginning their own business as she has. She is also the President of local non-profit, Junior League of Rockford and a member of the Keith School Parent Association!In her spare time, she loves spending time with her son and her husband of 10 years, Greg. They enjoy golfing and are really competitive with each other. Even when they aren’t golfing, they just love being outside – swimming, going to Klehm Arboretum, enjoying nature. The Discovery Center and Burpee Museum are great sources of entertainment as well. They also head into Chicago a lot and enjoy the city because her sister still lives out there!Christy’s favorite thing about Rockford is all of the new development going on downtown and the bike paths. The revitalization of Rockford – it is fun to watch. There are great restaurants here and City Market is an awesome event. She appreciates the outpouring of community support for Junior League and how many people care about volunteer organizations. For example, Anthony from Artale Wine always comes out to Volunteer and give back to the community. Her favorite local restaurants are: Alchemy, Lucha Cantina, Garrett’s, Social, Baci’s Kitchen, and JMK.Fun facts: Movie: Tommy Boy, Beauty and the Beast, Sound of MusicTV Show: American Idol and Big Brother – They’re the only two shows her and her husband like to watch togetherBook: Twilight Series, The Wonder of Boys, Girl, Wash Your Face, Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office – it talks about how girls are raised and how it affects them in the workplaceMusic: Tom Petty, Goo Goo Dolls, Chris Stapleton, Zac Brown BandChristy is a Leukemia survivor. She was diagnosed 2 months before her wedding. They were told that treatments would leave her infertile. Thankfully, they had enough time to freeze embryos. She wasn’t able to carry their child, so her cousin Elizabeth carried their child for them and now they have an awesome son. Christy has made a full recovery!

One thing that binds our community together is the amount of non-profit organizations we have that are committed to making Rockford a better place. Their thoughtfulness, care, and organized approaches help spread awareness about the good things in our town and also help out those in need. The Junior League of Rockford is an organization of women who are committed to the development of women into leadership positions. They have been promoting volunteerism and building our community since 1930. It is a fantastic organization that has helped develop some of the most important programs in our town. They’ve started programs such as the Ken-Rock Community Center, Discovery Center Museum, CASA, and Backpack Buddies to name a few. Their current project involves helping to create more opportunities for the local STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) agencies. Their work with STEM is still in its infancy but is focused on creating an individual program to help young women and minorities enter the field by doing more than creating an interest. They are striving to teach them to be brave and confident. It’s a good time to join the Junior League because you’ll be able to see the project grow and develop. Christy Moore has been part of the organization for 4 years now and is president this year. After a friend took her to a recruitment event and she learned that one of their visions was to develop women leaders, the cause spoke to her and she had to join. “By developing great leaders, we can improve the community.”Outside of recruitment events, the Junior League also hosts monthly meetings for their members. At each meeting, there is a little bit of training, little bit of socializing, and a little bit of giving back. They have community members come in and speak on leadership development. It’s a great opportunity for networking as well as coming together to brainstorm ideas about issues in the community. Once they build up a program based on a need, they pass it off to another corporation to run, and they move on to build up a new project. Another fun bit is that they host a Boos & Spirits fundraising event every fall. Funds raised go towards maintaining the mission of the league, and the night is a great time. They have food, drinks, dancing, gambling, a fortuneteller, silent auction, and even a costume contest! That is something fun to look forward to every year! If you want to become a member of the Junior League, I would suggest attending one of their events to see what it is all about. You can learn more about them and memberships HERE. We are lucky to have such a devoted organization in our town, and we wish them all the best in their current and future endeavors. 

They’ve done it! The IceHogs are in the playoffs. After a crazy run to finish out the season, the Hogs landed 4th in the Central Division and will face off against their bitter rivals, The Chicago Wolves. This best-of-5 series should have a little bit of everything – great goals, huge saves, and physical battles! The IceHogs and the Wolves split the regular season series 6-6-0-0. Both team are fast. Both teams are skilled. Both teams have a hunger to win and prove who the superior Northern Illinois team is. Expected goaltenders are Collin Delia and Jeff Glass with Matt Tomkins occupying the third goalie slot. Jeremy Colliton has not yet named his starter for game 1, so we will just have to wait for Saturday. Collin Delia, named IceHogs Man of the Year and Most Improved Player, had an incredible rookie season in Rockford. He posted a 2.72 Goals Against Average and a .900 Save percentage in 28 games played. He finished the season with a 10-1-2 record in his final 13 games. Jeff Glass. The steady veteran, posted a 2.82 goals against average and .904 save percentage in 28 games played. Matt Tomkins spent most of the season with ECHL affiliate, Indy Fuel. With the Hogs, he posted a 4.04 goals against average and .871 save percentage in only 8 games played. Anthony Louis, Matthew Highmore, and Tyler Sikura head into the playoffs as the IceHogs leading point-getters. The Hogs will look to them to continue their hot season. Louis finished the season with 14 goals and 30 assists for 44 points in 70 games. Highmore spent a good chunk of time with the Blackhawks to end the season yet ended his AHL regular season with 24 goals and 19 assists for 43 points in 64 games. Tyler Sikura, named team MVP, finished with 23 goals and 16 assists for 39 points in 74 games. Veteran defenseman, Cody Franson, endeared himself to IceHogs fans as he took control of the blue line and soon as he got sent down from the Blackhawks. His leadership, maturity, and poise have not gone unnoticed. The defense is skating as a cohesive unit, and we can be sure to thank his leadership for that.  Other experienced blue liners, Viktor Svedberg and Adam Clendening, will also be looking to make their presence known. Svedberg is a giant and has really sharpened the edge on his play this year. With a few fights to his name, one does not just intimidate this 6’9” Swedish defenseman. Clendening is more of a lover than a fighter – if we are talking about a love for putting up points. The 25 year-old from Niagara Falls, NY has put up 30 points in 38 games with the Hogs after being acquired from Arizona in February. If you recall, Adam was originally a draft pick of the Blackhawks in 2011 but has bounced around a few teams before coming back home where he belongs.The Chicago Wolves come in to the series with leading point-getters Teemu Pulkkinen, T.J. Tynan, and Beau Bennett. Pulkkinen has put up 29 goals and 36 assists in 75 games. Tynan has 15 goals and 45 assists in 70 games. Bennett has 12 goals and 45 assists in 60 games. Chicago knows how to fill the net, but our Hogs do too. This series is going to come down to which team’s goalie makes the bigger saves. It’s going to be a fun one!The playoff schedule is as follows:Game 1: Saturday, April 21 Rockford @ Chicago – 7pmGame 2: Sunday, April 22 @ the BMO – 4pmGame 3: Thursday, April 26 Rockford @ Chicago – 7pm*Game 4: Sunday, April 29 @ the BMO – 4pm*Game 5: Monday, April 30 Rockford @ Chicago – 7pm* - If necessaryTickets are on sale NOW. Let’s pack the BMO and cheer our boys to a first round victory!Here’s a link for the scheduled home games: https://www.ticketmaster.com/rockford-icehogs-bmo-harris-bank-center-rockford-il/venueartist/32969/806697

Few people may know the stars and planets have their own special day…Astronomy Day…and Discovery Center Museum is planning to celebrate it on Saturday, April 14 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.Enjoy the wonder and beauty of the night sky, investigate the planets, moon and sun, and get inspired to learn more during a free planetarium show. Monkey around with gravity, put the solar system in your pocket, navigate the constellations and more.Outer Space is such a cool topic and it will leave your kids amazed! Once you are done there, you can check out all of the nifty things that Spring ArtScene has to offer! You can find those events HERE!

The GR8-1-5 Beer Fest is coming to the BMO Harris Bank Center for the first time ever on May 19, 2018! Beer enthusiasts are encouraged to grab a group of friends to enjoy the GR8-1-5 Beer Fest, because let’s face it, great memories start with quality beer and good company!Beer lovers have the opportunity to:Sample sever different beers from over 26 breweries with over 125 beersEnjoy limited whiskey tastingsEat from local food trucks parked inside the BMOEnjoy entertainment with music sponsored by Luxe ProductionsEnter to win premium prizesParticipate in outdoor activitiesEnjoy cigars for purchase from Rudy’s Cigars& More!Tickets to the GR8-1-5 Beer Fest are available for purchase online at www.Ticketmaster.com, over the phone at 800-745-3000, or directly at our box office. General admission tickets are $35 and VIP are $75. Additional fees may apply.Only a limited number of VIP tickets are available. Tickets are sold at the door only if available. Participating breweries: Deschutes Brewery, Odell Brewing Co., Oskar Blues Brewery, Seattle Cider Company, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Hand of Fate Brewing Company, Lakefront Brewery, Revolution Brewing, Pig Minds Brewing, Crystal Lake Brewing, Leinenkugel’s Brewery, Church Street Brewing, Maplewood Brewery & Distillery, Potosi Brewery, Bell’s Brewery, Blake’s Hard Cider Co., Prairie Street Brewhouse, Lena Brewing Company, Founders Brewing Co., and more!VIP Tickets: $75 1PM-5PM-Early entrance at 1pm-Commemorative tasting cup-Souvenir T-shirt-Access to Private VIP area that includes its own bar, free appetizers and private lavatoriesGeneral Admission:$35 2PM-5PM-Commemorative tasting cupGrab your friends and put this on your calendar. There's some fun brewin' at the BMO! 

NiteLite Promotions and Coronado Performing Arts Center proudly announced “A PARANORMAL EVENING WITH ALICE COOPER.”Alice Cooper tours the world regularly, shocking audiences with his dark, horror-themed theatrics. He’s coming to Rockford just in time for Halloween for a dazzling (or horrific!) night of entertainment. He will command the stage on October 24, 2018 at 8:00 pm. Tickets for this wild show go on sale, fittingly, Friday, April 13 – Friday the 13th! The sale starts at 10:00am. Don’t miss out. These tickets will be in high demand, and I have a feeling you don’t want to miss this show. Alice Cooper pioneered a grandly theatrical brand of hard rock that was designed to shock. Drawing equally from horror movies, vaudeville, and garage rock, the original group created a stage show that featured electric chairs, guillotines, fake blood and boa constrictors. Known as the architect of shock-rock, Cooper himself (in both the original Alice Cooper band and as a solo artist) has rattled the cages and undermined the authority of generations of guardians of the status quo, continuing to surprise fans and exude danger at every turn, including in his memorable recent performance as King Herod in NBC’s Jesus Christ Superstar Live.

As you know, esteemed rock band, Foreigner, is at the Coronado Performing Arts Center tonight. They’re going to have some help with their set from the Hononegah High School Choir! If that’s not the opportunity of a lifetime, I don’t know what is. Throughout Foreigner's tour, they’re teaming up with local choirs to bring their talents to the stage and showcase local talents all around the country. It’s a great gesture from the band and a great opportunity for the students. Amy Jensen, the choir director, was kind enough to have a chat with us about the show tonight. How did your choir get selected?We had the most votes from our family, friends and community through a link provided by 96.5. How do you get your students ready for an event like this?It's been very exciting. The students are more than ready because they love Foreigner and their music.This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. How are the nerves leading up to the show?We are way more excited than nervous. The director has contacted us about all procedures and has made us feel comfortable. We will go early on Friday for a rehearsal as well.What impact does this have on your program?We think it's always exciting to perform! That's what we love to do. Sharing our music with others in any way we can has always had the biggest impact on our program. Being a part of something like this is new and different so we are hoping even more students will join our program to get in on the fun!Do you have any other upcoming performances on the calendar?Yes. Our jazz choirs will be touring and performing in Branson in a few weeks and we have our final jazz concert on May 8 and our choir Disney Spectacular concert on May 8. We've had a great year!! Singing with Foreigner really tops it off!!Along with the choir being able to perform with them, Foreigner will donate $500.00 to the choir for appearing with the band and the choir will sell Foreigner CDs at the concert to raise monies for Foreigner’s charity partner, The Grammy Foundation.  Both Foreigner and The Grammy Foundation are intent upon helping to keep music education available to students as part of the core curriculum in high schools throughout North America.  The entire proceeds of the choir’s CD sales from this show are contributed to this initiative.There are still a few tickets left, so get yours HERE before show time!

A simple idea by two street performers in Canada has grown to become the largest theatrical production in the world.You will have six chances from Thursday through Sunday to see Cirque du Soleil at the BMO Harris Bank Center. The origin of Cirque du Soleil dates back to 1980 when Guy Laliberte and Gilles Ste-Croix started "The Waders" in Quebec. The two, with the help of government grants, built the production to the point they founded Cirque du Soleil in 1984 and converted it to be a contemporary circus.The show, in its various forms, employs more than 4,000 people worldwide and generates more than $800 million annually. Each show is a combination of circus styles from around the world with different central themes and storylines. The production coming to Rockford is Corteo, which was launched in 2005 and has visited 64 cities in 19 countries. Corteo means cortege in Italian. The show's theme is a clown picturing his own funeral watched over by angels.You will get a chance to see 51 acrobats, musicians, singers and actors from all over the world. What you won't see are animal acts. Cirque du Soleil believes in the power of personal performance. Only Cirque du Soleil productions have used animals of any kind - doves in Believe and snakes in Zumanity.Cirque du Soleil has been a staple of Las Vegas since 1992. This weekend, Vegas comes to Rockford. Tickets start at $42. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Sunday. To buy tickets, go to www.thebmoharrisbankcenter.com.A special thank you to Alex Gary for writing this piece.Alex Gary spent 22 years as a sports, business and education reporter and editor at newspapers in Beloit, Wis., and Rockford. He now is the communications manager at Thinker Ventures when he’s not umpiring youth baseball, running the scoreboard at Jefferson athletics, working on his NIC-10 Sports History Book website or hanging out with his two daughters

How do you create change? You instill a sense of pride within a community. With Rockford, that has taken shape in the form of Rockford-centric apparel. How many times have you walked around town and seen an 815 shirt? You see those and know exactly what they mean and exactly where they came from. In 2011, Jarrod Hennis and Britney Lindgren of Rockford Art Deli debuted their designs and they’ve since taken over the closets of proud Rockfordians. They’re always looking for ways to make an impact on our community, but their current endeavor has surpassed the county and state lines. The couple has teamed up with 10 other businesses across the country to start a brand new t-shirt manufacturing company called Allmade that strives to make a better t-shirt. Starting now, Rockford Art Deli will begin printing all of their designs on this brand new product and encouraging their commercial customers to do the same–But just what do they mean by better?Think about the standard t-shirt. Two billion t-shirts are made every year in the world, using fibers like industrial cotton, which is often grown in regions with minimal regulations–directly exposing workers and the environment to deadly pesticides and herbicides that are outlawed in the U.S. These materials are then transported across the globe using bunker fuel, a heavy oil residue so toxic most countries won’t let ships using it within 200 miles of shore, then spun into yarn, knitted into fabric, and sewn into garments by workers, often in sweatshop conditions, for a wage that does not allow them to meet even their most basic needs. In countries like Haiti this translates to an increase in orphans, many of whom’s parents were forced to give them up because they couldn’t afford to care for them.The 10 founding national partners of Allmade, including Hennis and Lindgren, took a look at all of these startling statistics and devised a plan to disrupt the t-shirt industry as it exists today creating a shirt made from raw materials. The Allmade tri-blend shirts are made from organic US-grown cotton, recycled polyester, and Modal. These three fibers not only produce a luxuriously soft shirt, but are better for the environment as well. Every tri-blend shirt contains the equivalent of 6 plastic water bottles. In addition to the direct impact to the environment, most materials are sourced right here in the US, shipped to Haiti (just 500 miles from Miami) to be sewn into shirts, and shipped back to the US for sale reducing the carbon footprint.It doesn’t end there. Allmade has partnered with the Global Orphan Project to produce great quality shirts, while fighting generational poverty in Haiti. LIFE, the Haitian facility where Allmade shirts are produced, pays workers 5x the going rate for similar jobs in the area, an amount carefully calculated to meet the basic needs of a Haitian household. 100% of LIFE's profits are dedicated to programs that support orphans.The bold step to manufacture this way is making waves throughout the clothing industry, garnishing even the attention of Conan O’Brien who stopped into the LIFE manufacturing facility in Haiti last time the Allmade team was there in January 2018.While visiting Haiti, Hennis was able to see the impact of his investment into Allmade first-hand. Jarrod said, “Our mission to become sustainable & eco friendly was always a passion for Rockford Art Deli, so when we were approached to join Allmade as a founder, the answer was an easy “YES.” We are constantly working to make our shop better for our employees & the community so the idea that we could see a shirt change the lives of others made the decision even more exciting. We really are in this to Make It Better and are excited about the opportunities we have to grow within Rockford & across the nation, all while providing living wage jobs, a sustainable future & a longer lasting garment.”The inspired Rockford Art Deli owners hope that this transition to a better t-shirt will increase the amount of conscious thought people put into what they buy and will put Rockford Illinois in the spotlight for being at the base of these efforts as the Rockford community supports this change. Lindgren adds, “Having a small part in the growth of our own town has shown us that we can inspire others to give back... because WE are also motivated by those who go above and beyond to contribute.”

With the end of the regular season coming up on us quickly, the IceHogs have their eyes set on the playoffs. As fans all around town are holding their breath and obsessively checking the standings, the IceHogs are getting the job done on the ice. The Hogs are on a two-game win streak and come into tonight’s matchup in Manitoba with a 7-1-1-1 record in their last 10 games. That being 7 wins, 1 regulation loss, 1 overtime loss, 1 shootout loss - racking up 16 out of 20 possible points. After a long time in the 5th slot in the central division, they pushed by the Iowa Wild for the 4th and final playoff spot, but nothing is in set in stone just yet. There are still games to play (and win!) before their playoff spot is clinched. Needless to say, our Hogs have gotten hot at just the right time!After a disappointing 2016-17 season, a revamped roster, and a coaching change during the offseason, there were high hopes for this season, and they’re living up to the hype. Our roster is pretty young mixed with a few guys that have been around the block like long-time NHL veteran Cody Franson (2017-18 AHL 30GP 6G 14A), 2017-18 NHL story of the year Jeff Glass (2017-18 AHL  25GP 2.71GAA .909 SV%), and the ever-steady J.F. Berube (2017-18 AHL 15GP 2.37 GAA .920 SV%). Our long list of rookies includes Matthew Highmore (56 GP 21G 14A), Kyle Maksimovich (1GP), Nathan Noel (16GP 1G), Alexandre Fortin (47GP 3G 15A), Graham Knott (65GP 4G 5A), Darren Raddysh (58GP 5G 14A), Joni Tuulola, and Collin Delia (24GP 2.68GAA .904 SV%). With injuries in the Blackhawks’ net, Glass and Berube have both had their chance in Chicago. 23-year-old Collin Delia, from Rancho Cucamonga, California, has seemingly cemented himself as the IceHogs starting goaltender and doesn’t appear to be giving up the job any time soon. How can you not root for the kid? He signed a contract with the Blackhawks after playing three seasons at Merrimack College and may be one of the nicest people I have ever met. He is great with fans, he is controlling his crease, and he’s got a promising future ahead of him. Edit: Collin has been so good down here that the Blackhawks recalled him this morning. You can catch him backing up Anton Forsberg on Thursday against Winnipeg. Delia is expected to get the start on Friday against Colorado. After tonight’s tilt in Manitoba, the IceHogs head home to prepare for a hungry San Jose Baracuda team that is coming to town on Saturday, March 31. San Jose sits last in their division with a 28-25-4-3 record and riding a 6-3-1-0 record in their last 10. The IceHogs have to take these two games and put them in the win column to increase their playoff chances. Saturday night is also Hawaiian Night at the BMO Harris Bank Center! 3-time Stanley Cup Champion Bryan Bickell will be in attendance with his wife  Amanda to raise awareness for the Bryan & Amanda Bickell Foundation as well as the Multiple Sclerosis Society – Greater Illinois Chapter. Both causes will benefit from items bought at the game including leis and the special jerseys being raffled off. The night will also feature a pig roast, live hula dancers, live beach music, and Hawaiian Hibiscus flowers painted on the ice. It’s going to be a party for a great cause. There are limited tickets available, so make sure you grab yours before they’re gone. Tickets can be purchased at IceHogs.com, by calling (815) 968-5222 or in-person at the BMO Harris Bank Center Box Office.

Help Bygone Brand celebrate 5 years! Check out the video for a little history lesson on them and their story

 In the Midwest, you can have freak snowstorms in April. One of my earliest memories was of the blizzard on my fifth birthday on April 2, 1974.Still, Spring is here and it’s time to celebrate surviving another winter. In Rockford, that means Meltfest, which takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Prairie Street Brewhouse, Riverview Icehouse, the YMCA and UW Sports Factory.This is one of those events where there truly is something for everyone. There are science and magic shows, juggling and stilt walking and complimentary ice skating for the kids. There is indoor kayaking and a vendor fair for adults and bike rides and indoor kayaking for fitness fanatics.There are a few new things for 2018. Melt the Blocks is a chance to experience the growing downtown retail corridor, and Owly Oop at the UW Sports Factory is having a beer tasting and extended evening live music.The day kicks off with a 5K that twists and turns through downtown Rockford, highlighting interesting facts. While most of the rest of the day features free activities, the 5K does have a small fee and requires pre-registration. You can do that by going to meltfest.com, where you will find a complete listing of all activities.All of the proceeds from the 5k goes to a local charity. This year, the chosen charity is K-FACT (Keeping Families and Communities Together), which is a group that mentors at-risk females. Volunteers will be on hand during the day to keep the fun going. To learn more about K-FACT’s mission, go to k-fact.org.A special thank you to Alex Gary for writing this piece.Alex Gary spent 22 years as a sports, business and education reporter and editor at newspapers in Beloit, Wis., and Rockford. He now is the communications manager at Thinker Ventures when he’s not umpiring youth baseball, running the scoreboard at Jefferson athletics, working on his NIC-10 Sports History Book website or hanging out with his two daughters

Writing a novel is no easy feat. Some people find it difficult to even compose an email – let alone create a whole story around made up characters from a different time. Hannah has done just that. I must say, her most recent novel release,  “Seven-Sided Spy”, is very interesting and it will pull you in. I was able to meet Hannah at her book release at Kate’s Pie Shop. She’s a very nice person and, from what I have read of her work, a very talented author. I'm so grateful that she took time out of her busy schedule to answer some questions. Here are some of Hannah's thoughts on writing. Enjoy!How old were you when you started writing? When did you know that you wanted to be a novelist?I’ve been writing my whole life. I started writing down stories as far back as kindergarten. I still have a fake award I won in my k-class at Swan Hillman for “scariest story,” LOL! I started taking myself seriously as a novelist in my Junior Year of high school. At that point, I had a completed first draft and two people had read it. Once I got that reader feedback I was hooked. Having someone actually read your work is one of the most gratifying feelings in the world. Where do you get your inspiration for writing? Who are your favorite authors?I get my inspiration from everywhere. I actually have a little notebook I carry around with me and write in whenever I hear something I like. The last entry was3/1/18: “A place stuck out of time” My all-time favorite author has got to be John Connolly. He writes the most amazing kidlit. Besides John I’m a big fan of Chuck Palahnuick and Laini Taylor. Seven-Sided Spy is your newest release, how’s the feedback so far?Feedback has been really solid! We’ve raked up about 35 organic reviews on goodreads, which for an indie-press book is really good! People love the world and flashback style of the novel. Is it hard to write a book based in a different area of the country or world? How do you become familiar with the area or culture?For me it wasn’t crazy difficult, but I didn’t go that far! North Carolina is still in the states and for the most part still in our realm of norms. I was fortunate enough to get to travel there, so that made imagining the landscape easier. I also emailed a few rangers and picked their brains on what the park was like in 1963. That was super helpful. Are you interested in history? What was the motivation for having this novel take place in the past?I feel history is VITAL. It’s something we can learn from and something that is always changing. My motivation for Seven-Sided Spy in particular was the cold war. It seems like spy-escapades were really at their height in the 1960’s. Now, spy fiction is so suped up with hacking and cyberterrorism. I really just wanted to kick back and write a classic Spy v. Spy story. How do you create your character storylines? Do you plan them out before you start writing?Writers always argue that they fall into one of two categories: Plotters – those who outline and plan everything out before hand and Pantsers – those who dive into a story and let it take them where it will. I think most writers fall somewhere in between. In my case I had an outline and a general idea of where I wanted each character to be by the end of the novel, but when you really sit down to write a scene it can take you just about anywhere. If you force it to conform your readers will be able to tell, so it’s best to be a bit of a plotter and a pantser. If I recall correctly, you have some other releases coming out this year. Tell me a bit about those!Thanks for asking! I have a novella which is dropping March 5, 2018. It’s a Southern Gothic re-telling of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland titled Take Your Medicine. You can find that on amazon or Nine Star Press’ website! My current editor is also working on my next big novel, presently titled Viva La Education! So we’ll see if that falls somewhere between 2018 or 2019. You can keep updated on my new projects over on my website www.hannahcarmack.com  Where can people find your work?Amazon is the easiest place to find it online, but in town it’s stocked at Kate’s Pie Shop Café & Records, as well as Culture shock! Please check out Hannah’s work! She’s a local author, and a talented one at that. You’re missing out if you don’t!

The best way to begin a typically crazy St. Patrick's Day is to see how fast you can run while downing the best of the area's craft brews.The Shamrock Beer Run 5K takes place Saturday at and around the Rockford Speedway at the corner of Forest Hills Road and Illinois 173. The race is scheduled for 2:00 pm and there is an after party starting at 3:00 pm!You start the race by downing  ounces of beer and can refuel at five different beer pit stops along the way. The 5K meanders around the Speedway with the final lap on the race track.And it isn't just any old beer you'll be sampling. Granite City, Prairie Street Brew House, Pigminds Brewing Co. from Winnebago County and Lena Brewing Co. and Generations Brewing Co. from Stephenson County will be manning the pit stops.A final bonus to convince you to try this interesting mix of fitness and fun is that a portion of the proceeds go to the Nikolas Ritschel Foundation. Nikolas was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer a month before his 18th birthday and lost that battle in 2012, one month after his 21st birthday.During his struggle, he met others like him who were too old for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. His parents started the foundation in 2011 to help adults between 18 and 24 struggling with cancer. Members of the foundation work tirelessly at dozens of events each year raising money to help families stay together and enjoy special moments as they battle that dreaded disease.The cost is $30 for runners, $25 for designated drivers (the organizers leave no stone unturned) and $10 for spectators. So lace 'em up and chug 'em down for an excellent cause.A special thank you to Alex Gary for writing this scoreboard piece.Alex Gary spent 22 years as a sports, business and education reporter and editor at newspapers in Beloit, Wis., and Rockford. He now is the communications manager at Thinker Ventures when he’s not umpiring youth baseball, running the scoreboard at Jefferson athletics, working on his NIC-10 Sports History Book website or hanging out with his two daughters.

This week, we are excited to announce some new members of the Rockford Buzz family! What does this mean for you? You will now see all of their events and deals on your front page. If you 'Favorite' their Rockford Buzz business page, you will get notifications when they add new things! I'll include some links below so you don't miss out!So, what are these businesses all about?Food4Fuel: Food 4 Fuel will keep you going throughout the week. With pre-packaged meals to keep you healthy and energized, you’ll be wondering why you didn’t go to them before! Sometimes we just don’t have the time or energy to plan out meals, and that’s where they come in!Website: http://www.food4fuel.com/Rockford Buzz Page: https://rockfordbuzz.com/place/food-4-fuelMembersAlliance Credit Union: Who else read that and sang “You can rely on us!” in your head? Me too. Are you in need of a new bank? MembersAlliance  has a friendly staff and they're invested in the community!Website: https://www.membersalliance.org/Rockford Buzz Page: https://rockfordbuzz.com/place/membersalliance-credit-unionRockford Art Deli: You’ve probably seen the “815” shirts all around town. Well, there’s about a 95% chance that those came from RAD. They make awesome screen printed shirts and are always coming up with new designs. Who doesn't want to show off their Rockford pride??Website: https://rockfordartdeli.com/Rockford Buzz Page: https://rockfordbuzz.com/place/rockford-art-deli

Your votes are being heard! Riverview Ice House has made it to the top 5 in votes for a professional lighting system. This would be a HUGE upgrade for our local rink. Let’s keep rocking these votes and let Riverview know how much we appreciate them. You can vote once per day! Just click this link and find Riverview. Click the "Vote" button and you're in!I’ve been voting everyday. Have you?