Positive News, Stories, & Rockford Buzz Polls

As many of you know, we have a new mayor in town. Tom McNamara recently won the mayoral election in a pretty decisive fashion. He was kind enough to take some time to sit down with me over a cup of coffee and have a nice chat. Read more about your new Mayor of Rockford below. Tom McNamara was born and raised here in Rockford. He attended Boylan High School, and graduated with the class of ’01. He went on to earn a Bachelors and graduate degree from John Carroll University is Cleveland, Ohio. He studied Sociology and Criminology in undergrad and Non-Profit Administration in graduate school. It was the perfect school for him at the time. The class sizes were small, all of the teachers knew his name, and it was very service-oriented. If his name sounds familiar, that is because his parents were very involved with the city. Most of you know that his father was a former mayor of Rockford. His mother was also very involved and served on many boards. As a kid, Tom and his siblings were always taken to public events. They were taught that the day didn’t just stop with them going to school or work and coming home. A lot had been given to them, so they had to give back in return. They spent a lot of time volunteering, and while it may have not been their favorite activity at the time, it opened them up to what Rockford was really like. Instead of being able to hang out with friends whenever they wanted, they were out on the town with family. It ended up giving him a deeper appreciation for what we have here. Tom learned from a young age what type of impact you can have on people if you take the time to give back. This inspired his decision to be involved with Rockford politics as an adult. Tom’s wife, Sarah, and daughter, Olympia Rose, also influenced his decision. He realizes that we have a lot of great things in Rockford, but in order to make a difference, you can’t ignore the bad. The bad things can be overwhelming at times, but he and his family have decided that you can either sit on the sidelines, or you can be involved and make a difference. They want to make the city into the community that they think it can be, and when he hands the baton over to someone else, hopefully they can improve it even more. “This is where change happens.” When he isn’t running around working, he really enjoys spending time with his wife, daughter, and, now, son. He is a mediocre golfer, by his own accord, but he loves to golf. It gives him time to turn off his phone and really disconnect. He is the youngest of six siblings, but being with family is one of his favorite things. Every Sunday morning, his parents have a standing invitation for everyone to come over for breakfast. Sometimes there will be 8, sometimes there will be 25. With a big family, you never really know. When I asked Tom what his favorite thing about Rockford was, he said it was hard to name one thing. In an overarching manner, Tom loves the diversity of Rockford – the diverse communities, people, and offerings that we have here. We are also fortunate to have a great park district, beautiful golf courses, and a river that runs through the heart of the city. Fun Facts: Favorite Movie: He is not a big movie guy. He would rather watch a documentary than a Hollywood film. Book: He reads more news articles than anything, but his favorite book at the moment is The Ideal Team Player by Patrick Lencioni TV Show: The Office, Parenthood, This Is Us, House of Cards, Madam Secretary, Arrested Development, Parks and Rec Music: M. Ward Local Restaurant: Five Forks, Octane, and Social His daughter is born on Leap Day and the due date for his son is Cinco de Mayo. Tom McNamara was great to chat with and we wish him all the best in his time as the Mayor of Rockford!

If you like coffee and haven’t been to Rockford Roasting Company, I’m not sure what has taken you so long. They have a passion for their craft and are always delivering something new to keep you going. From different brews to new treats, there is always something new to try down at the roasting company. When I venture in there for my dose of liquid life, aka coffee, I tend to go for one of two drinks depending on my mood. I alternate between a simple iced cold brew and a lavender latte. The iced coffee gives you a very tasty dose of caffeine. One thing that I love the most about it is how smooth it is. Coffee fans know that depending on where you are, you can get very acidic, bitter, or strange-after-taste coffee. Now, cold brew is generally less acidic, but let me just tell you that RRC’s cold brew is some of the smoothest coffee you will have the pleasure of drinking. If it is hot out and you need some energy, just trust me and order one. The lavender latte is almost like drinking a comforting hug. It is warm and soothing and will add brightness to your day. I didn’t know what to expect the first time I ordered one, but I haven’t looked back since. Hey, you can also get it iced. So, you never have to miss out. Rockford Roasting Company isn’t just working on providing new coffee experiences; they are also boosting their treat selection. Pictured above, you see their Swedish Cinnamon Roll. Trust me, that is extremely delicious. It is like a normal cinnamon roll, but better. It is a sweet treat that isn't drenched in unnecessary icing. Don't get me wrong, icing can be great, but this one is great without it. It is very soft and goes perfectly with the iced coffee. You can usually find them on Fridays, but they go pretty quickly, so make sure you stop in and get one. Aside from the cinnamon roll, they also have cookies, muffins, and now toast! The great thing about the treats you can get with your coffee at the Roasting Company is that they aren’t extremely filling. Grabbing a coffee and a snack is a great way to start your day or give you a boost during the day.

For a certain percentage of America, if you ask them what they know about Rockford, they’ll answer the “Rockford Peaches.” The 1992 movie, A League of Their Own, starring Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Madonna and Rosie O’Donnell, forever immortalized the Peaches and the All-American Girls’ Professional Baseball League. The Peaches were the flagship team of the league that started in 1943 and lasted through 1954, winning the league title in 1945, 1948, 1949 and 1950 at Beyer Stadium. On Sunday, you have a chance to step back into the past by watching a modern version of the Peaches play at Midway Village Museum’s Victorian Village. Several years ago, avid players formed the WWII Girls Baseball Living History League to honor the AAGBBL. The original four franchises from 1943 – the Peaches, the Kenosha Comets, Racine Belles and South Bend Blue Sox – now have new players filling those uniforms and playing games at various historical reenactments, museums and special events. This weekend is a special event for Midway. The museum celebrates its annual opening for its Victorian Village. The 13-year acre village is a 19th century replica of Rockford, complete with a school house, saloon, store, newspaper, firehouse, jail and blacksmith. Just spending a couple hours in the village is entertainment enough. The Peaches game is an added bonus. The Victorian Village is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The Peaches game takes place Sunday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The price to get into Victorian Village is $7 for adults and $5 for children ages three to 17. Children age two and under are free as are Midway Village Museum members. 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.

As a kid, reading a comic book is everything you need to get your mind and imagination going. They let you envision a world with superheroes and super villains in crazy situations. There are battles, explosions, and super powers, but the moral of the story is usually that good always wins. As an adult, comic books are great collectors items, but they are also an escape from reality. When things in the real world get too chaotic, sink yourself into comic books and get lost for a few hours. If you are a comic book fan, you have to join Top Cut Comics this weekend to celebrate Free Comic Book Day! Pick up some free comic books and spend time with other comic fans. If this is your kind of thing, you can’t go wrong. Both of their locations will be participating. You can go to your favorite one or even check out both. As a special treat, the Loves Park location will have the folks from The Deadersons there handing out wristbands. Grab some merch from Rockford's own sitcom while they last!

If you are a wine enthusiast, Midway Village Museum has quite the event for you next week. On Wednesday, May 10, from 6:30 – 8:30 pm explore the history of wine making from the 1800s to today. The event is separated into two parts. Part 1 of the evening features a Midway Village Museum historic interpreter discussing with you how and why people in the 19th century commonly made wine from fruit in their gardens. You will also be able to see a live demonstration of wine making in the 1800s at the village’s historic garden and home. This leads into part 2 of the evening which features a presentation by McEachran Homestead Winery in the museums historic 1905 Barn. The Homestead was settled in 1857 by John McEachran, the great-great-grandfather of the current owner Herbert Greenlee. They have eleven acres dedicated to 19 varieties of grapes, raspberries, and fruit trees. You can discover how the grape and fruit wines are made, the difference in the types of wine created, and receive a sample of the wines they make. Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for museum members. You must be 21 and over to participate, and the wine samples are included with your ticket. This is going to sell out quickly, so make sure you reserve your ticket ASAP. You can call 815-397-9112 or visit the Museum’s Gift Shop for tickets. The RSVP deadline is Monday, May 8.

If you have paid attention to the local music scene lately, you have probably heard of Mossy Vaughn. He is part of the band Name the Moon. You can usually find them playing at a local venue around town. You can read more about Mossy below! A special thanks to Lincoln Flowers for the photo for this page. Mossy Vaughn has been artistic since he was born. Some people are born with the creative gene, and he is one of them. He is originally from Iowa, but moved here in 1775. That’s right, he is from a family of Vampires. They have experienced a lot in their lifetime. He has seen Rockford go through many transitions, and he finds it hard not to put that into music. He started playing guitar around ages 12-13 and got serious about it in the 9th grade. He plays guitar and piano and also dabbles in vocals and synth. As mentioned above, he is part of the band Name the Moon, so he is always working on his craft. He hasn’t yet tried interpretive dance, but maybe you will see that from him in the future. Outside of music, he also experiments with some visual arts. He tries to entertain himself with weird drawings. He enjoys cutting and pasting things and has also gotten into creating things in Photoshop. Mossy gets most of his inspiration from real life situations and family stories. There is also a great time and place for some make believe. It can help to make things more fun. He has looked up to Brian Wilson from the Beach Boys. His parents always played a lot of music around the house, so he is a fan of 70’s soft rock. Currently he looks up to local talents Derek Luttrell, Gavin Epperson and Lincoln Flowers (who took the awesome photo featured on this page). Mossy has found that the arts community in Rockford is pretty supportive. The musicians usually support other musicians, and that also crosses over into the visual arts world. “Rockford has always had a lot of great artists over the years. The arts community is not large, so everyone eventually gets to know one another and that helps.” He feels that he hasn’t written his best song yet, but it is coming. He started a website called rkfdnews.com with some friends and they recently published a satirical book. It is his most accomplished non-music thing that he has done so far. Mossy Vaughn is a fun and creative guy. If you haven’t had time to check out his band, keep an eye on the calendar and catch their next show. Name the Moon was also recently signed to Idol Records. Congrats, guys! Keep rockin’.

We had a new business join our directory this week! Here is what they do, and we hope you will help us give them a warm welcome! The Music Academy of Rockford The Music Academy of Rockford is a not-for-profit school of music located at 226 S 2nd Street in Rockford. They provide high-quality instruction and performance opportunities to all students. Age doesn’t matter here. Come with a passion for music and learning, and you will have a great time.

Any native Rockfordian over the age of 35 is aware of some of the amazing and diverse staples of our city. Many of us probably recall the old Mayflower restaurant at 5040 N. 2nd St, in Loves Park, which has now become The Hope & Anchor English Pub. We sat down with the owner, Ian Robbins, to get the scoop on the awesome location for the best fish and chips you’ll ever eat, and how he came up with the idea for the traditional English pub. Authenticity Ian is an English national who crossed the pond to the US in the early 1990’s. He had a thriving construction business and was called in to do a remodel of the building in 2008. He says that from the first time he walked in it reminded him of the neighborhood pub in his hometown. While discussing the details of the remodel, the owner admitted that he really didn’t want to keep the property. Before he knew it, Ian was the owner of an old restaurant in need of a facelift. Ian had two goals: traditional English fish and chips, and the best pint of beer. Ian’s grandfather had owned a fish and chip shop when Ian was a boy, and they spent a lot of time together so when Ian had the concept for the Hope & Anchor, he knew he wanted his grandfather’s recipe. He even stayed on an international phone call with his grandmother for over twenty minutes to get it. You can’t get more traditional than that! The beer was relatively simple to organize in comparison. They boast a variety of imports, but occasionally have a nice craft available as well. The menu is completely traditional, although they are expanding their weekend seafood specials and have a Vegan menu available upon request. There’s other little things that help to create that atmosphere too. For example, the Sweet Shoppe offers imported English candies – mostly based on the recommendation of their customers – and always has seasonal favorites. They even take orders! Upcoming Events Some of the first live performances at the Hope & Anchor were Beetles bands, and they’ve since expanded to Open Mic Nights, and partner with the Crossroad Blues Society to book artists. They have an annual pig roast & beer tasting to kick off Oktoberfest, and a great dog-friendly patio with a wood burning fire pit. Many neighbors tell the staff that as soon as they smell the wood burning, they want their fish and chips! Ian also purchased a 1963 Leyland double decker bus, one of only 20 manufactured, which needs to be restored. Once it’s completed, he’s looking to do limo style brewery tours on the weekends. For the paranormal enthusiasts, The Hope & Anchor participates in the Haunted Pub Tours, and have had several confirmations of being haunted… at least that’s the word on the street. Occasionally they feature hypnotists or mediums in lieu of music.

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Jamie Johannsen to discuss her life, career, and family. If you enjoy the outdoors, you already have a lot in common. Jamie has lived in Rockford her whole life outside of college. She graduated from Guilford High School and went on to study at Denison University and University of Iowa. For her undergrad at Denison, she was an English major. She received graduate degrees from the University of Iowa in Higher Education and English. Jamie always had it in her mind that she wanted to be a teacher. Upon graduating in Iowa, she came back home to Rockford as an adjunct professor at Rockford College and Rock Valley College. Between indulging her passion for teaching, she held day jobs to help pay the bills. She found herself in marketing departments for various companies putting her English degrees to use with writing newsletters and promotional material. Over the years, she drifted more and more into the marketing and public relations world and was less involved with teaching. She took up jobs with the Metro Center, YMCA, and other various local businesses. After a while, she realized that she really enjoyed marketing for mission-driven non-profits, and she saw it as a chance to educate the public rather than a classroom of students. In order to market effectively, you have to educate the public about the impact that your company has on the community. She enjoyed the challenge and hasn’t looked back. Jamie Johannsen is now the Director of Marketing and Community Relations for the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County. She helps to raise awareness about the great forest preserves and outdoor areas that we have here in Winnebago County and how the public can use them for their needs. She is committed to communicating with the non-users of the preserves just as much as the frequent users. She stresses the importance of nature on our community. The 10,400 acres of protected green space that we have services our community 24/7. The trees filter our air, the flood plains provide flood control, and the native vegetation helps our soil. “The protected natural lands are our natural life support systems.” Jamie is incredibly passionate about her job, but she does miss teaching from time to time. Her favorite part about teaching a classroom of students was empowering them to be savvy consumers in the information age. She taught them how to evaluate messages that are being shown to them and how to figure out the validity of the claims. She doesn’t just work for the Forest Preserves, she also enjoys them in her leisure time. She loves to visit the forest preserves and canoe, kayak, and hike. She also dabbles in nature photography. Along with nature, she is a big fan of the arts. Anything that combines art and nature, such as Klehm Arboretum, is perfect for her. Jamie Johannsen has a passion for conservation. She is bringing her communication and education skills to her passion and promote nature as a source of wellness. She was able to take what she was educated in and apply it to what she believes is the most important aspect to life in the 21st century – Connection to the natural world. Her favorite thing about Rockford, beyond the obvious great park systems and natural areas, is the fact that there are so many things going on that people may not necessarily know about. She is currently enjoying the renaissance in the city center. State Street is coming to life and the energy downtown is exciting. She likes to see downtown thriving again. The legendary and historic areas are having new life breathes into them. There is a great balance in Rockford between the nature areas and the revitalization of the heart of the city. Fun Facts: Favorite Book: She is in a book club, so she has a lot of favorite books. They have a blast and get to read on the side. Historical fiction is her favorite genre. Movie: in recent years, The Danish Girl. TV Show: Downton Abbey Music: Classical and folk. Screw City Swingers is her favorite local band. Local Restaurant: Prairie Street Brew House Coffee or tea: Coffee, but she drinks tea when she wants to feel healthy She is involved in environmental activism. Jamie Johannsen was a great person to sit down and have a conversation with. Her passion for nature and her work is truly inspiring!

When you are looking for a nice restaurant to visit for some delicious food and a friendly conversation, you have to visit Kell’z Restaurant & Pub, 3605 Auburn Street. I stopped in for lunch on an empty stomach, and I left super full and very satisfied. I was greeted as soon as I walked in and seated right away. After asking for some suggestions, I decided to go with the Frisco Burger. I must say, this was a great decision. The Frisco Burger is a juicy burger patty with bacon, swiss cheese, and sourdough bread. Of course, I got a side of fries to go with it. Who just doesn’t get a side of fries? The burger was cooked perfectly for my taste. It was well-done and juicy as ever. It isn’t easy to make a well-done burger juicy, but this one definitely was. The burger and the bacon mixed with the cheese made for a great flavor that didn’t even need any sauce. I just added a bit of mayonnaise due to preference, but I was recommend trying it without any condiments first. The fries were also delicious and seasoned to perfection. Kell’z as a great atmosphere that is good for families, couples, or you can even go by yourself. They serve breakfast all day which is another plus. Breakfast is great at any time of the day. Even though breakfast is great, I would recommend going there to try a burger first, especially the Frisco burger. It is a cute restaurant with some delicious food. You can’t go wrong there.

For six decades, the Rockford East relays carved out a reputation as the top high school track event before the Illinois state championship meet. For most of the years the East Relays were run, the main reason teams came was to measure themselves against the host school. From 1969 to 1990, East won 17 of the 21 NIC-9/NIC-10 boys track titles and finished in the top 10 in the state five times in that span. Success however waned in the East program after 1990 and in 2004 the East Relays came to an end after 61 years. Five years ago, the Rockford School District hired Anthony Wilson, a 1986 E-Rabs alumni, to try to return the program to its former glory. One of Wilson’s initial efforts was to bring back the relays. Saturday will be the third annual East Relays in the second edition. Unlike a standard track meet, all events, even the field events are modified to be a relay of some kind, so depth is crucial to do well. It will be especially crucial Saturday because among the teams competing will be perennial Illinois track power East St. Louis, which is the defending 3A state track champions. Since bringing the East Relays back, Wilson has tweaked the event each year to honor East’s long athletic history as well as excite the next generation of track stars. Included in this year’s Relays, which feature both boys and girls, will be the RPS 205 Middle School Showdown 4x100 relay. The goal is to get budding track stars to the event so they can watch and learn from elite level runners. The meet begins at 10 a.m. at Guilford High School – East and Guilford share Swanson stadium for track meets and football games. 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.

Dahlquist Park, 3251 Oak Grove Ave., is a friendly neighborhood park with some of the amenities of a larger park. If you are looking for a nice place for a jog, a place to walk your dog, or maybe a place to have a medium-sized outdoor party, keep Dahlquist Park in mind. They have a well-maintained paved track that circles the park and field. Part of the path is lined with a stream, which is nice and peaceful. You can hear the water running, and you have a good view of it at different places depending on the plant growth. The other parts of the path are in a more residential area. If you happen to live there, you have awesome access to a nice park. There is a shelter at the park that you can rent out for parties. There are ten tables available for your use along with a grill and electricity. It is right next to a ball diamond, so you can get some games of kickball in. You can play some softball or baseball if you don’t mind there not being a net or fence. Dahlquist Park also has a large field, a playground, tennis courts, and a basketball court. With all of the things this park has, you would assume that it is pretty large. It isn’t too large, but it also isn’t cramped. I would say that it was very well planned out to allow enough room for all of the amenities without the risk of people getting in each other’s way. If you are in the area, stop by for a walk around the path. Check out the setting and what the park has to offer. There is a lot to like, and you will probably be back.

The 5th annual “Pregnancy, Birth, & Beyond Expo” is coming up on Sunday, April 30, 2017 at Prairie Street Brewhouse, 200 Prairie Street. The event runs from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. Are you planning a family, trying to conceive, pregnant, or have a young family? This event is open to all ages and is being held to raise awareness about available pregnancy, postpartum, and family options in the local area. Head out to Prairie Street for a day of great company, a silent auction, and prizes! There will be 40+ vendors including doulas, childbirth educators, local shops, handmade goods, chiropractors, massage and physical therapists, photographers, fitness and health specialists, and information on breastfeeding, babywearing, cloth diapers, cesareans, homebirth, self-care and more. Attend the presentations, do some shopping, meet local professionals, get some henna art, relax with a chair massage, learn about holistic healing, and have fun! Admission to the Expo is FREE (with a suggested $5 donation). All money raised will be used to support the area non-profit organizations working to improve birth: ICAN (International Cesarean Awareness Network) of the Rock River Valley and ILFOM (Illinois Friends of Midwives). Bids on your favorite items in the silent auction are encouraged. You can also fill out the short event survey for a chance to win a Marsupial Mamas babywearing wrap and a Ju-Ju-Be Legacy Diaper Bag. You can find more info about the expo HERE.

Carmen Turner is a local artist who does a lot of her creative work at MainFraiM of Rockford. She has a truly unique art exhibition showing at Kortman Gallery, 107 N Main St. It is inspired by nature, specifically the origin, shape, and formation of speleothems. Speleothems are known by most people as stalactites and stalagmites. If you have seen them in person, or even in photos, you know what a wonder they are and how each of them forms in a unique way based on their placement. These great wonders of nature have brought Carmen’s art to life. Carmen Turner uses color and texture to celebrate their growth and “the inevitable lessening of the space between”. This exhibit is on display now at the Kortman Gallery. It just opened this weekend, so it is new and fresh. J.R. Kortman Center for Design and Gallery are closed from April 24-29. Mark it down on your calendar to give them a visit when they resume normal business hours on May 1! "The Space Between" will be on display through May 31st. If you haven’t heard of MainFraiM, they specialize in custom framing, lighting, sculpture, and display. What makes them unique is that they create a lot of their work with salvaged materials. They truly know how to repurpose items and bring them back to life in beautiful ways. They create made-to-order pieces – large and small. If you are interested, you can find out more about them HERE.

Wyatt Elliott was born in a Sleepy Hollow, a little town outside of West Dundee. He lived in Colorado for about five years before ultimately moving back to Rockford when he was about 13. Wyatt wasn’t born in a hospital. He was born in a bathtub, which meant that he didn’t have a social security card until he was 18 and forced to get one due to employment. Before then, they had lived off of his father’s child support checks, and he never knew that he needed a social security card. Wyatt and his family were homeless for a lot of his childhood. They lived out of a van, and he ended up being home schooled by his mother under what was considered Satellite Schooling. His grandmother received the textbooks, she would send them here, and when he was done with all of the work they sent them back. Wyatt’s creativity stems from when he was a child. They didn’t have a television growing up, so he and his brother would create their own entertainment. They drew comic books and movies. He always drew out what he thought horror movies were like. When he wasn’t writing or drawing, he set up his toys into stories and story arcs. He would cast them into different roles, and that’s how his movies would play out. Now, Wyatt has channeled his creativity to a role behind a camera. As owner and director at Notebook Entertainment, he gets to make his stories come to life with real actors instead of action figures. He is one of the brains that has helped bring The Deadersons, Rockford's Sitcom, to life amongst many other projects. He and his business partner and friend Kris Williamson are always creating new things to keep their fans happy. Wyatt takes pride in his work, and that is evident while talking to him. He would rather make shows than watch shows. He will always choose to make rather than consume. Sometimes he will go out to a movie with some friends, but they mostly enjoy card and board game nights instead. Wyatt’s favorite thing about Rockford is the support factor. Rockford has been good to him. When he was younger, he wanted to get out. As he goes along, he realizes how much support he has received and he has realized what a tight knit community we have. The community is full of really good entrepreneurs. And all of the local places try to help each other. He also enjoys how there are plenty of things to do here, citing the park district events and the amazing parks we have around town. Fun Facts: Favorite TV Show: He likes to pick ones that influence him the most. Night Court; Growing up he loved it and he still loves it. Old School Simpsons. Ally McBeal except the last season. Movie: Growing up, it was always Star Wars. He has discovered Cash Back since he has gotten older, and he relates to it more. Terminator 2 is also one of his favorites. Music: The Beatles, favorite album “Let It Be” Wyatt loves nature, but not in the winter. He is not a winter person. He owns two cats that hate him. Wyatt is a super cool guy to have a conversation with and his creative brain is very refreshing. He and his crew at Notebook Entertainment are bringing viewers new and exciting things all of the time. We are lucky to have someone like him in town!

I think we can all agree that burgers are a great comfort food. Your options are basically endless as there are so many different ways to make them and eat them. The quality of the meat and the toppings make a burger what it is. We asked you where your favorite place to grab a burger is in the Rockford Area. There is a place here in town that knows how to do burgers right. They have your traditional burgers, and then they have the all-out, extravagant, and unique toppings burgers. That place is your winner this week. Rockford's favorite place to grab a burger is. . . 15th AND CHRIS! Not only does 15th and Chris, 201 15th ave, already have a crazy good menu, they are always experimenting and adding new items that make their loyal customers very happy. When we starting receiving the nominations, it was quite clear that the support for 15th and Chris is incredible. They have also had the most decisive vote thus far. There are many awesome places here in town, but the love for 15th and Chris runs deep. They are open seasonally. But, even when their main location is closed, you can find their food truck at various places around town. If you haven't had the chance to try one of their burgers yet, now is the time! We want to give a shout out to the other great places that you nominated. CJ's Public House came in second with 46 votes. Ridott Corners came in third with 33 votes. The Olympic Tavern came in fourth with 30 votes.

As we mentioned yesterday, ArtScene is coming up this weekend. With so many events going on, it can be easy to get a little overwhelmed. We thought we would offer some friendly suggestions that will hopefully make your weekend a little easier. Some of these suggestions may seem like common sense. But, when trying to figure out what to do with so many options, it is always good to have an idea of where to start. Visit Your Favorite Places If your favorite places have ArtScene events or deals going on, this is a great place to start. It gives you an excuse to go out and visit them, and it will get you into the mood for the rest of the weekend! Visit New Places Once you have made the rounds to your favorite spots, it is time to try something new. It doesn’t matter if it is an art gallery, a shop, or one of our coffee houses. Hey, maybe you can try all of the above. Branch out from the places you are familiar with and take this weekend as an opportunity to visit some neat new places. Pay Attention to the Schedule This may seem like common sense, but it is very important. Nothing is more disappointing than thinking you are on time for something and realizing that you read the wrong line. While planning your day, make sure that you also check the weather and dress accordingly! Make sure you check the day of, because we all know that it can change overnight. You can find the schedule thanks to the Rockford Area Arts Council HERE. Go For a Walk If you are downtown, I encourage you to take a walk from place to place. Find a good parking space, and wader around. This way, you can visit your favorite places, but it is also a lot easier to find new places! You may not see them when you are just driving by, but if you walk by the storefront of a new spot, you can walk right in. You can also take in the spirit of ArtScene downtown. People are happy and excited to involved. It is a great time Midtown! This year, the Midtown District, specifically 7th street, are going all in for ArtScene. Most of the venues on 7th street are hosting some cool events with live music and unique art pieces! The Midtown District is going to be one of the premiere destinations this weekend, and I recommend checking it out! These were some basic suggestions to get you ready for this weekend. Whether this is your first ArtScene or if you go every time it rolls around, it is going to be a fun weekend. We hope you have a great time!

The Rockford Speedway opened its doors to racing this past weekend, but it has its first blowout event this weekend – the 40th annual Spring Classic on Sunday, April 23. The first two Spring Classics were held at different race tracks. Beginning in 1980 and every year since it’s been at the grand old track at 9572 Forest Hills Road in Loves Park. South Beloit’s Michael Bilderback won the feature race in 2016, his second Spring Classic title. Only four have won three or more. The who’s who of short-track auto racing greats have competed in and won Spring Classics. Steve Carlson is the all-time leader, winning six in a seven-year stretch (1998-2004) followed by four each by Dick Trickle and Joe Shear. The event draws the top short-track racers from all over the Midwest with last year’s event featuring drivers from Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan and Iowa. With its long history and distinguished field, the event is a reunion of sorts with families camping out at the Speedway to kick off racing throughout the Midwest. The gates open to spectators at 11 a.m. with qualifying at 11:30 a.m. and the first race starting at 1 p.m. The events include the Big 8 Late Model Series, the Quest Industrial Mid American Stock Car Series and the INEX legends. Adults admission costs are $20, while children 6-11 are $6. Children five and under are free. 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.

One thing that I have always found very neat about Rockford is that if you follow most of the main roads for long enough, you will be out of the city and into pure nature. Whether you are surrounded by trees or fields, I think it is cool that we have that option so close to home. It may even be something that we take for granted now and then. We have the amenities of a big city, but it isn’t so big that you can’t just escape to nature to clear your head. If you drive down Perryville or Mulford, you will happen upon Blackhawk Springs Forest Preserve, 5360 Mulford Road 5801 and Perryville Rd. It feels like a hidden gem that is actually pretty big. Located on the Kishwaukee River, Blackhawk Springs is a great visit for many different reasons. For the fishing enthusiasts, you can pick a spot and hang out by the river all day. Bring some lunch and some water or other beverages and listen to the peaceful sound of the river as the fish take your bait. I hear it is a good place to catch some bass. For the lovers of exploration, there are a bunch of unpaved trails that you can explore. They take you through the woods would be great to explore on a nice breezy day! You may also run into some smaller streams and springs. For those of you looking for a peaceful place to walk, jog, bike, or take your dog for a walk, there is also a great paved path that takes you from the Perryville entrance to the Mulford entrance. Hearing the wind in the trees and the wildlife running free is very relaxing. Add that to the ultra fresh air that you only find when surrounded by nature, and you will have a great time. Blackhawk Springs is a really neat place for going on a mini adventure. Get out into nature and clear your head. You will thank yourself later! You can find a map and full details HERE.

Ah yes, Spring is in the air! The weather is getting warmer, the birds are singing, and all of the artists are playing with their materials! That’s right, they are all getting ready for Spring ArtScene! It is time to bring in the warm weather with some fun pieces and some rocking music! ArtScene is a great city-wide event that really brings everyone together. Whether you like visual art, performance, or music, there is always something for everyone going on around Rockford. It is almost a citywide festival, but each different location does it up differently. It really is worth it to check out all of your favorite places, but then venture to some other spots that you’ve never been to. If you didn’t know, Spring ArtScene is coming up this weekend. On April 21 and 22, 2017, galleries, restaurants, and various other places around town will have special events, performances, and deals to please your artsy heart! From 317 Studio and Gallery to Katie's Cup to The Underground Art Gallery and most places in between - there will be a lot for you to see! As I mentioned earlier, each different location has something unique going on. Make sure you don't miss out on anything by checking out the roundup of ArtScene events provided by the Rockford Area Arts Council HERE.

Taco Betty's, 212 E. State St., is no longer just a mysterious sign on the side of a building. They are alive and well in Downtown Rockford! They officially opened today, April 17 after having a soft opening on Saturday. I figured that with this long-awaited opening, I would head down and wait out the crowd to bring you a super special bonus Nom Nom Nom. Walking up to the door, it almost felt surreal. I have been waiting for this place to open since I noticed the window signs pop up. Everyone needs tacos in their life sometimes. Now we have a new taco place in a really cool location, and it has a nice atmosphere to it. There were a few people waiting when I got there because it was prime lunch time. I was lucky enough to grab the last seat at the bar, so I didn’t have to wait. I noticed that they were helping people quickly, getting food out fast, and the wait didn’t seem to be too long. They appeared to have a good system going which was actually pretty surprising for the first official day of being open. If you go to any new business on opening day, you expect to deal with some hiccups that mostly get smoothed out within the first week as they get into a rhythm. Maybe I wasn’t there long enough, or maybe I just came at a good time, but I didn’t notice any of these hiccups. The staff members were all working very hard, yet they were all very pleasant to talk to. If they were nervous or overwhelmed, that didn’t stop them from providing their customers with a great experience. Okay, now to the actual food. Guys, if you like tacos, taquitos, nachos, etc. you have to get down to Taco Betty's. The menu has basic items on it for those of you that get nervous when trying new things. I am right there with you. But, they also have some pretty unique items that will satisfy the stomach and soul of you foodies out there that want to try everything. You have to take some time to look over the menu and take it in. I went with some chips and salsa, tacos, and , chicken taquitos. They were all very good and different in their own ways. We will start with the chips and salsa. The chips were already salted and seasoned which made them delicious in themselves. Add to that the salsa, and it was a great appetizer. The salsa was flavorful but also incredibly refreshing. Next, I tried the tacos. They just tasted fresh. They have ground beef, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and sour cream. The tortilla was soft, there weren’t too many toppings, and the beef had a great flavor too. They come with 2 per order. I wasn't sure if that was enough, but it definitely is. I was almost too full to move on to the taquitos. But I kept going! The chicken taquitos were nice and crisp, but they also just melt in your mouth. I don’t know how they came up with the best way to cook these to get that texture, but I am glad they did. The chicken wasn't chewy, there weren't too many seasonings, and again, the tortilla was the perfect combination of crispy and easy to eat. It comes with a great dipping sauce as well. I am very excited that Taco Betty's is open now. I will have to keep going back to try some of their different menu items. You can taste the quality of the food in each bite. It has a classy but casual atmosphere that is perfect for Downtown Rockford. Make your way down there this week and show our new restaurant some love!

On April 9, the Rockford Art Museum (RAM) opened the 76th annual Young Artist show on their lower level, 711 N. Main Street. For art lovers of all ages, this is one of those exhibits that you have to see. It is very possible that we have the next world-renowned artist come from right here in Rockford. These kids are full of talent. When you visit the exhibit, you will be able to see 400 pieces of art created by kids in grades Kindergarten through 8th. They are all from Winnebago County, so we are celebrating our local talents. If you haven’t had the time to head over to RAM to see the exhibit yet, you are in luck! It will be on display until May 9th. Art is always a really neat escape from reality, but this is one exhibit that I highly recommend. There is something sweet about seeing the messages that our youth convey through their art. It would make for a great afternoon downtown! The Rockford Art Museum is open seven days a week from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. Admission is $7 for adults and $3 for students and seniors. If you want to find a complete list of the participants, you can find it HERE.

Of all the questions and concerns that riddle the minds of prospective business owners, they all center around the big one: “Will we make it?” There’s a lot of risk-taking, courage and perseverance required of small business owners, and those are qualities that Bob Zanocco, founder of The Frame Shoppe Gallery, has embodied during 47 years of business ownership. His story is an inspiring look at what it takes to make a dream come true. Taking the Leap For 18 years, Bob was employed by Blue Star Potato Chips in Rockford as a route salesman, working his way up to district manager. But he had always made picture frames in his basement on the side. Friends and family would see the handmade frames around pictures of his daughters and asked if he would make frames for them. Eventually, Bob’s wife made the call. “There’s too many people coming through this house,” he remembers her saying. So Bob began asking the question: “Would we make it as a business?” In 1971, in the Rural Oaks shopping center, a little shop was moving out, and Bob took the leap. He opened up his framing shop, and the business took off. Eventually he moved to his current location in Edgebrook, and for many years, business was so good that he had three locations going at once, with a separate workshop and warehouse! They even had an extra room at the Edgebrook location: a gallery to showcase local artists. Making it Work With nearly five decades of business ownership, Bob has weathered all the ups and downs successfully. When he started, he had five daughters, all within eleven years of each other. For the first 18 months, it was a juggling act for everyone. Bob worked full time at Blue Star while waiting to see if the business would take hold. Meanwhile, his wife and mother would open the store and work it, with the three youngest kids in a playpen in the back room (or, as Bob remembers, sometimes hiding under tables to tug on customers’ pant legs!). Bob would come in after a full day’s work and build frames in the evening, then do it all again the next day. “It was a tough year and a half, but we made it work. It was hard on my wife, especially with the kids. She finally said, ‘I’ve had enough of this. It’s either me or the shop’s gotta go!’” Bob chuckled, remembering. “I decided to keep them both and let go of my job at Blue Star.” It wasn’t an easy decision. At Blue Star he had a company car and paid vacations. Bob remembers that it was scary walking away from that security. But with only one other frame shop in the area, he felt like they could do well. And he was right. “It’s kind of tough – all the heartaches and pains of owning a business. But I’m glad we did it,” Bob explained. They did really well for many years, but Bob and his family also labored through two significant downturns in the economy. They had to get creative to stay in business, but through perseverance, Bob was able to keep all of his employees during those difficult times, without having to cut hours. That was especially important to him. “We employed many people over the years,” said Bob. “That’s always a good thing.” It was rewarding to hire people and have them love the creative side of the business. A Lifetime Guarantee Today, the business is still going strong, and perseverance and hard work are definitely part of the equation. But the other part of success is offering a great product. Bob attributes the shop’s success to quality craftsmanship. “We pride ourselves on our workmanship,” Bob shared, “We used an ad that said, ‘Craftsmanship = it’s free with every frame.’ We’re now out to the third generation of our original customers. I think that’s a testament to our work.” Each frame is custom built, and as a craft, framing is so much more than just putting four pieces of wood together. Customers have thousands of molding options at their disposal, not to mention a quick turn-around that big box stores can’t offer. Plus a lifetime guarantee! They use UV protective glass that keeps the framed items from fading. They also do special projects, such as mirrors, watches, and jewelry boxes, to name a few. A Worthwhile Endeavor Bob is finally starting to step back and entrust the work to the other employees who have been with him many years– passing the baton, so to speak. He still loves coming in, though, even after all these years. “All in all, it’s been fun,” Bob concluded. “It’s always fun when you start something brand new, from scratch, and you see years of increased sales. You feel like you accomplished something. Then, there are the thousands of frames that are hanging on walls that have made people happy.” Check out their website or stop by their Edgebrook store front and get lots of ideas for what could be hanging on your walls! Written by Rebecca Aupperle Rebecca Aupperle holds a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing from Millikin University. She is a piano teacher at the Studio and an active participant in Rockford’s local music scene. She can be found reading, gardening or hanging out at the Edgebrook Farmer’s Market.

Kris Williamson is originally from the Cicero area of Chicago. She moved to Poplar Grove when she was 14 and hopes to move to Rockford within the year. Kris graduated from Belvidere High School with the class of 2003. This was back when there was only one high school there. She enjoys the city and is a part of a major entertainment company here in town. Even though she doesn’t live in Rockford currently, she is a big part of this town. Many people say that they have a wide variety of interests and dabble in a lot of different things. I have never met someone who has said that and actually meant it as much as Kris Williamson. Growing up, her family members all had different interests, and that carried over into her life and has only grown with her. Her father is into horror and wrestling which ended up in her being exposed to horror movies when she was 4 years old. Her aunt enjoys soap operas, her mom is into romance, and her grandmother is into daytime television. Kris watched as much TV as possible growing up, so she was exposed to everything. Stemming from her interest in different genres, Kris was also a huge reader growing up. She would be up all night reading and basically taught herself how to read after memorizing all of the words in her books. Kris has a passion for anything creative. She loves books, film, photography, make up art, cosplay, etc. She has moved on from just being a fan of novels to being a writer herself. She writes novels and she writes screenplays. Eventually, she wants to write something in every genre, and she is well on her way to that. I mentioned earlier that she is a part of a major entertainment company here in town. She is co-owner, but prefers the title Empress, of Notebook Entertainment. They are the ones behind Rockford’s own sitcom The Deadersons, and Kris was the brain behind the original concept. She writes all of the scripts for the show and it is something that she can really be proud of. Outside of writing scripts for Notebook, she makes appearances in the shows and also works as make-up artist and photographer. See, I wasn’t lying when I told you she dabbles in a little bit of everything. Not only does she dabble in these areas, but she excels at everything she puts effort in to. It was truly a pleasure getting the opportunity to sit down with Kris and hear her talk about her work and her passions. She doesn’t get a whole lot of spare time, as you could imagine. But, as long as she is creating, she is happy. When she does happen to have spare time, she enjoys going to movies, collecting Pop Dolls, hiking, and taking her dogs for walks. I highly recommend that you check out THE DEADERSONS and Kris’s written work. Kris’s favorite thing about Rockford is the people. She says the people of Rockford keep persisting, keep trying. They are passionate about their town and want to see it get better. “We are a city, but we are a community.” Fun Facts: Favorite Book(s): Pride and Prejudice, she has loved this book since she was 10. She reads it at least once every year and loves everything about it. Ishmael by Daniel Quinn, it blew her mind and every time she reads it, it makes her think of something new.Alice in Wonderland, she used to go around and tell everyone that she was Alice when she was a kid. TV Show(s): The X Files, Friends, and Daria – Daria and Phoebe are her spirit animals. Movie(s): Boondock Saints. Halloween, this movie was how she was introduced to horror. Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Music: Early Beatles and Britney Spears Her family won’t play pop trivia games with her anymore because she knows too many facts and always wins. She even knows things about subjects that she isn’t really into. She is a pop-culture junkie. She loves history and knowing historical facts. She is a nature person. Another fun fact, she is the only person that I have talked to who has known of the movie Stay Alive without me introducing them to it. Major props for that one! Seriously, her knowledge of movies and other things pop-culture related is remarkable. Kris is a really cool gal, and we are lucky to have her in our community!