Articles & Stories | Rockford IL

Celebrate Veterans Day With Circle of Change!

Circle of Change – Veterans Dog Program and Pig Minds Brewing are teaming up for an inaugural Veterans Day celebration! Pig Minds Brewing will be tapping "Warriors Best Friend" a Warrior hopped American Pale Ale at noon. $1 from every pint purchased will be donated to the Circle of Change.Not only can you drink some awesome beer for a good cause but also, Pig Minds has awesome food, and there will also be live music at 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm.This is a fun celebration for a great cause. Circle of Change helps to provide veterans with information about service dogs and training classes once they have a dog. Veterans have the opportunity to learn about different dog breeds and their personalities to see which dogs would fit them the best. PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) are severe issues that are seen at a high rate in those who come back from serving. Service dogs are used in conjunction with other therapies to keep their humans safe and comfortable. If you want to grab some beer, grub, and put funds towards a great cause, head out to Pig Minds Brewing Co., 4080 Steele Drive in Machesney Park any time after noon! Live music from Jonny T-Bird & the MPs starts at 1:00 pm and there is more at 7:00 pm.

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It's Bring the Dogs Night at the Rockford IceHogs

Hey dog owners, this Friday night you don't have to worry about having to leave enough food out for Fido while you go see the Rockford IceHogs play.For the fifth straight year, the IceHogs are having a Pucks & Paws Game. On Friday, $20 buys you a ticket for yourself and your best furry friend - additional tickets for people are $10 each.The puppies and people will be sitting in sections 201 and 202 so there will be plenty of company for the dogs to interact with.One note, if you want to bring your dog Friday you will be required to provide the registration number and county of registration upon purchase of tickets and you must buy the tickets by noon Thursday.The IceHogs will be giving away plush Otis dogs to the first 1,500 fans. There will be a wiener dog race on the ice during the first intermission and animal services groups will be on hand with pets available for adoption.If you no longer have pets or have excess pet supplies, you can bring them to the game and donate them in exchange for a free ticket to the Nov. 28 game against Manitoba. Oh yeah, there's a game as well and it should be a good one. The IceHogs are 7-4 so far this year and tied for first place in the Central Division with the Milwaukee Admirals. Rockford will be playing the San Antonio Rampage, who are 7-3-1 and in the third in the Pacific Division. The BMO Harris Bank Center doors open at 6 p.m. and the game begins at 7 p.m. For more information, call the IceHogs office at 815-986-6465 or ticketservices@icehogs.com.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.

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Behind the Scenes with Peppa Pig Live!

Peppa Pig Live is coming to the Coronado this Thursday, November 9, and we had the opportunity to interview one of the stars of the show, Evan Michael Pinsonnault! Evan discovered a love for the performing arts early in his life thanks to the Williamstown Theater Festival, Shakespeare & Company and Barrington Stage. After graduating from GWU with a degree in political science & theatre and earning a Master's in Broadcasting & Communication from Syracuse's Newhouse School, Evan started work on a different "stage" -- the TV news desk. His on-air career began in upstate New York and continued in Washington, D.C. as a Capitol Hill correspondent for local affiliates. After moving around to different reporter and anchor jobs – receiving a few Emmy nominations in the process – Even transitioned into a life on stage. His newest venture is being a part of the beloved Peppa Pig Live show for kids and families. Could you give us a brief explanation of your background in performance and work in front of the camera? I grew up surrounded by theatre in the Berkshires of Western, Mass. so performance has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember (I was 5 when I had my first "leading role" as the host and main soloist of the Christmas concert in Adams, haha). I continued my on-stage work throughout high school & college, where I minored in musical theatre along with a major in political science from GWU (what a combo, right!?). I then went on to Syracuse and got my Master's in broadcasting from the Newhouse School. I literally combined both aspects of my "performance" background into an on-air career that lasted for a decade in parts of Upstate New York, Washington D.C., Georgia and most recently Michigan where I also hosted my own variety show and won an Emmy. And to top it all off, in all of the aforementioned TV markets I moonlighted on-stage at the various local theatres performing in more than 50 musicals, comedies and readings altogether -- my favorites (before Peppa Pig Live!) being Into The Woods & The Adams Family where I played the Wolf/Prince Charming and Gomez, respectively. Even though you have a degree in theatre, how big was the transition from news casting to touring with Peppa Pig? I had a very easy transition, believe it or not, from news casting to touring because of all the great experiences I had performing in local shows in all of the cities where I was on-air. I even served on the theatre board and the regional arts councils of some of these communities so "the stage" never really left me even though I was "touring" from city to city and state to state as a broadcaster and journalist. Basically, I traded a news van for a tour bus and THAT is a good deal no matter how you cut it, LOL! Were you nervous about the leap due to the comfort and normalcy of news casting? Oh, how I wish there WAS a sense of "comfort and normalcy" to news casting! Kidding aside, I was a bit nervous about giving up a career that not only was consistent but also rewarding, both personally and professionally. Tour life, as you know, comes in spurts -- 4 months on, 3 months off; 2 months on, 5 months off, etc. etc. But the moment I met my cast mates and sat down with the production team, our director and our tour manager, I truly couldn't wait to get on the road and make this show my "full-time" commitment. Their energy, enthusiasm and positive attitude about all things Peppa Pig and tour life made me feel like I'd quickly find a new "comfort and normalcy" to my career. What do you enjoy the most about performing on a stage? When I'm on-stage and look out and see thousands of smiling, laughing and energetic faces, there's no better feeling or validation about what I'm doing. I get to make families feel happy for a living. And I get to do it in such a positive, inspiring and memorable way thanks to these larger-than-life characters and puppets that truly come to life on-stage in our show! What can the audience take away from this show? The audience will take away so much from Peppa Pig Live!, and not just because they are watching it. But, because they are experiencing it along with all of us on-stage. It's such an entertaining and interactive show for both kids and parents that they'll be singing about muddy puddles and clapping about bubbles & surprises long after they've left the theatre! Peppa Pig Live can be enjoyed at the Coronado on Thursday, November 9 at 6:00 pm. You can purchase your tickets HERE!

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All Aboard! Model Train Show

Midway Village Museum and Rock River Valley Division of National Model Railroad Association, Inc. will host a Model Train Show this weekend! On November 4, 2017 from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, head out to Midway Village, 6799 Guilford Road, to view over a dozen train models which include model buildings and scenery to create an amazing miniature world! Experts will be on-hand to share information on their trains, plus kids can take part in a train craft project and a fun photo op! Admission to the event is $7 for adults, $5 for kids, and free for infants (0-2) and museum members. This is a great time for anyone interested in Model Trains!

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Come Watch the Ultimate Muscle Vehicles

Friday and Saturday, BMO Harris Bank Center covers up its ice with truckloads of mud for Monster Jam, a two-day extravaganza of giant-wheeled trucks jumping over obstacles. All the mayhem has a purpose. It is an actual sanctioned series of the United States Hot Rod Association (USHRA) and drivers compete at events throughout the year to earn enough points to make the Monster Jam World Finals in Las Vegas. This weekend, drivers will be competing in two different competitions - racing and freestyle. In racing, it's traditional heads-up tournament racing where the first truck to cross the finish line moves onto the next round. In freestyle, drivers have two minutes to do stunts and tricks with their trucks and drive over cars hoping to impress six judges with their skills. The names of the trucks are part of the fun. Among the monsters coming to Rockford are Master of Disaster, Wrecking Crew and Mutant. The headliner though is Grave Digger, which essentially is a brand of a truck that is one of the two best names in Monster Jam (the other being Big Foot). A Grave Digger truck has won the Monster Jam World Racing Finals six times since 1999 and the Freestyle championship three times. Friday night, the wheels begin turning at 7 p.m. Saturday has three events. There's a Party in the Pits from 10:30 a.m. to noon where you can meet the drivers and get a close look at the trucks. Then there are two competitions, one at 1 p.m. and another at 7 p.m. The ticket prices range from $15 to $40 with the Saturday pit pass being an additional $10. To get tickets, go HERE 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.

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Wheels For Wellness

Come out to BMO Harris Bank Center tonight, Thursday, November 2 from 4:30-6:30pm to support Rockford Youth Services! With the donation of 5 hygiene products receive a complementary voucher to opening night of Monster Jam, Tomorrow, November 3 at 7:00pm (maximum four vouchers per household for 20 or more items.) Be sure to arrive early because there is a limited supply of vouchers! Jared Eichelberger, Driver of Max-D will be on-site accepting donations, signing autographs, and taking pictures.

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Focus Rockford Photography Exhibit!

The winners of the 2017 Focus Rockford Competition have been chosen. Their works will be on display for the whole town to see at the photography exhibit on November 2, 2017! The exhibit is being held at Prairie Street Brewing Company, so you will get to see beautiful photos in a beautiful, historically Rockford building. You can also grab some delicious food and drinks to enhance your experience. You can attend the event from 5:00 - 8:00 pm. The winning entries will be framed by MainFraiM and available in a silent auction. There will also be live printing so you can purchase other prints you love. Calendars will also be available so you can enjoy the works all year round. Proceeds from the event are being put into saving the murals on the Rockford Public Library's main campus. As you may know, the building is being torn down for restoration of the site. The library will be moved to a temporary home until the new downtown campus can be built. On the current building, there are beautiful mosaic murals that were put together by local high school students nearly 20 years ago. If enough funds aren't raised, the murals will be destroyed with the building. This is an important cause to preserve some great works of art created in Rockford, so it is awesome that this event aims to help the cause. All you have to do is come out and buy some prints. Trust me, they look amazing.

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Check Out Marathon Racing at Blackhawk Farms

If you are a fan of high-powered sports cars that look like what you see on the roadways, you have a full weekend to watch the classics at one of the area's hidden jewels. Blackhawk Farms Raceway is hosting the 47th annual LOOOONG Race, which features wheel-to-wheel racing by members of the Midwestern Council of the Chicagoland Sports Car Club. Blackhawk Farms' gates open at 5 p.m. Friday and remain open until the event ends on Sunday. Spectators are welcome and camping is free. What you'll watch are members of seven sports car clubs in the Midwest - Chicagoland, Great Lakes, Lakeshore, Madison, North Suburban, Salt Creek and Sports Car Club of Rockford - take turns powering their cars around Blackhawk Farms. There are 28 classes that compete in Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) racing, ranging from Touring (Porsche, Astin-Martin, BMW Z4) to Production (Austin Healey, Mazda Miata, Alfa Romeo) to Sedan (Chevy Camaro, Pontiac Firebird, Ford Mustang). The Raceway is a 1.95-mile, seven-turn road course on 216 acres in rural South Beloit. The track was built in 1967 by Tito Nappi, a Corvette driver and local contractor. Nappi operated the track until 1986 when he sold it to Mike and Raymond Irwins. The Irwins sold it in 2007 to Paul Musschoot, a local businessman and avid SCCA driver. Blackhawk Farms Raceway is located at 15538 Prairie Road, South Beloit. To learn more about the event or the track and its history, go to http://www.blackhawkfarms.com/. 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.

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That’s What We Call A Sweep!

The IceHogs had a weekend full of hockey. Three games in three nights is a hockey fan’s dream, but maybe isn’t so great for the guys on the ice. If that’s the case, the Hogs powered through and came away with a sweep on the weekend picking up all 6 possible points in the standings. It wasn’t a breeze by any means, they faced some rough opponents, but this year’s IceHogs are resilient and never out of a game. This weekend marked the return of top Blackhawks defensive prospect Luc Snuggerud. The 6’0” 183 lb. defenseman from Minnesota was selected 141th overall in the 2014 NHL entry draft and began his professional career at the end of last season. He suffered an injury during Blackhawks training camp in September and returned Friday for his first game action. It appears that “Snuggy” hasn’t missed a beat. He was active all over the ice, and it was great to see him flying around out there. On Friday, our Hogs took on the defending Calder Cup Champions, Grand Rapids Griffins. Anthony Louis opened the scoring, netting a goal off of a sweet pass from Laurent Dauphin on the power play. An errant pass led to a partial breakaway for Grand Rapids to result in the game being tied 1-1. Luke Johnson put the IceHogs back ahead in the game before Grand Rapids eventually stomped back to tie the game late in the third period. The IceHogs were not shaken and goaltender J.F. Berube stopped all three shooters in the shootout to secure his third win of the season. Jeff Glass bounced back on Saturday night as he took back his net in Milwaukee for a rematch against the undefeated Admirals. The IceHogs came out with a purpose and stomped the home team 6-2. It was a fight until the very last buzzer. Seriously, Luke Johnson dropped the gloves to fight a pesky Admiral. Despite the score, the IceHogs had to be at the top of their game and they showed why they aren’t to be doubted. Vinnie Hinostroza and David Kampf scored two goals apiece to lead the charge with William Pelletier and Luke Johnson adding to the goal total just for fun. Hinostroza has been putting up points with a purpose this year. He leaves this weekend on a five-game point streak and leads the team with 4 goals and 4 assists for 8 points and a +3 rating. Sunday was a fun game. The Hogs took on the Washington Capitals affiliate Hershey Bears for the first time in team history. The IceHogs wouldn’t tolerate ending the long weekend on a somber note and came out with fire in their eyes. They took the game 5-0 with J.F. Berube picking up his second shutout of the young season. If you haven’t made it to an IceHogs game yet this season, there’s still time. Don’t wait too long because once you go, you’re going to want to go again. This team is on fire and they show no signs of slowing down. The next home game features another divisional match up against the Milwaukee Admirals on Friday, October 27th. Saturday, October 28th, the Grand Rapids Griffins will be in town and it’s also Geeks and Goblins night. Comic book lovers need tickets to this one. You can find your seats on their website here: http://icehogs.com/schedule/game/ LET’S GO HOGS!

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Plenty of Wrecks Will Finish Rockford Speedway Season

Demolition derbies seem like a throw-back to the 1950s, but they are still a thing. Sunday, you can watch an old-fashioned demolition derby at the Rockford Speedway. The speedway wrap up its weekend racing with the 'Big Swarm Demolition Derby!' The origin of demolition derbies is still being argued. Some believe they date back to 1947 at Carrell Speedway in Gardena, California. Others believe they started in the 1930s as a way for Ford to get rid of excess Model Ts. In a demolition derby, the last car running is the winner and ramming someone in the driver-side door is forbidden. Those really are the only rules that apply. Sunday also is a chance to say goodbye to the Speedway for 2017. It is the final event for the track's 70th season. Other events include the Goblin 250, which will have 100 cars turning 125 laps on the traditional oval and another 125 on the tricky 'Monza' course. For kids, the Speedway is holding a costume contest before races start at 12:40 p.m. and a candy scramble after the Goblin 250. Racing starts at 1 p.m. and cost $12 for adult, $6 for kids ages 6 through 11. Children 5 and under are free. The Rockford Speedway is located at 9572 Forest Hills Road in Loves Park. Go to www.rockfordspeedsay.com for more information.

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Don't Miss It!: Rockford Record Crawl

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

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Scoreboard: New Coach. New Season. New Team.

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

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Take Your Pick of Running Races Saturday

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

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Discover the Spirits!

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

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Secondhand Curves Con!

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

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Lift Up Autism - A Special CrossFit Workout

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

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Take Advantage of Hot Weather to Paddle Kishwaukee River

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

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Run Off Some Room For Doughnuts

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

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Champions Night at Rockford Speedway

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

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Bad Bicycles Go A Long Way This Saturday

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

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The Ultimate Fall Forest Quest Scavenger Hunt

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

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It's Kickoff Time For High School Football

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

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A River Race Anyone Can Win

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

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Celebrating Our Town With Rockford Day!

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

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Positive News, Stories, & Rockford Buzz Polls

Page 41 | Positive Stories & Articles | Rockford IL

Celebrate Veterans Day With Circle of Change!

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Celebrate Veterans Day With Circle of Change!

It's Bring the Dogs Night at the Rockford IceHogs

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It's Bring the Dogs Night at the Rockford IceHogs

Behind the Scenes with Peppa Pig Live!

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Behind the Scenes with Peppa Pig Live!

All Aboard! Model Train Show

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All Aboard! Model Train Show

Come Watch the Ultimate Muscle Vehicles

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Come Watch the Ultimate Muscle Vehicles

Wheels For Wellness

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Wheels For Wellness

Focus Rockford Photography Exhibit!

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Focus Rockford Photography Exhibit!

Check Out Marathon Racing at Blackhawk Farms

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Check Out Marathon Racing at Blackhawk Farms

That’s What We Call A Sweep!

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That’s What We Call A Sweep!

Plenty of Wrecks Will Finish Rockford Speedway Season

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Plenty of Wrecks Will Finish Rockford Speedway Season

Don't Miss It!: Rockford Record Crawl

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Don't Miss It!: Rockford Record Crawl

Scoreboard: New Coach. New Season. New Team.

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Scoreboard: New Coach. New Season. New Team.

Take Your Pick of Running Races Saturday

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Take Your Pick of Running Races Saturday

Discover the Spirits!

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Discover the Spirits!

Secondhand Curves Con!

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Secondhand Curves Con!

Lift Up Autism - A Special CrossFit Workout

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Lift Up Autism - A Special CrossFit Workout

Take Advantage of Hot Weather to Paddle Kishwaukee River

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Take Advantage of Hot Weather to Paddle Kishwaukee River

Run Off Some Room For Doughnuts

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Run Off Some Room For Doughnuts

Champions Night at Rockford Speedway

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Champions Night at Rockford Speedway

Bad Bicycles Go A Long Way This Saturday

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Bad Bicycles Go A Long Way This Saturday

The Ultimate Fall Forest Quest Scavenger Hunt

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The Ultimate Fall Forest Quest Scavenger Hunt

It's Kickoff Time For High School Football

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It's Kickoff Time For High School Football

A River Race Anyone Can Win

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A River Race Anyone Can Win

Celebrating Our Town With Rockford Day!

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Celebrating Our Town With Rockford Day!

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