Positive News, Stories, & Rockford Buzz Polls

Rockford loves breakfast. We gathered this through a very scientific method. . . a survey. The overwhelming outpour of support for the best meal of the day supported our theory that Rockford and Breakfast are a fantastic match. We asked you who the #1 Breakfast Spot in Rockford is, and through the many opinions, we found a winner! The winner is. . . STOCKHOLM INN! Stockholm Inn has been one of Rockford’s favorite restaurants for years. How could they not be while they are serving up those delicious Swedish pancakes with lingonberries? They have a large dining area, so there is plenty of room for you to sit down and enjoy. The coffee is great. The food is great. Stockholm is a Rockford staple and it is loved by many. With a cute atmosphere and a little shop for you to look around in, Stockholm Inn is a little piece of Sweden right there on Charles.

The Rockford athletic community is celebrating an interesting first. For the first time, we have athletes active in all three major sports leagues. Jake Smolinski is in spring training with the Oakland A’s hoping to play his sixth year in the major leagues.The Boylan graduate has played 199 games over five years with Oakland and the Texas Rangers. Auburn’s Fred VanVleet has appeared in 21 games this year for the Toronto Raptors in the NBA. Boylan graduate and Northwestern football star Dean Lowry is home after completing his first season with the Green Bay Packers. Lowry played in all 16 regular season games and both playoff games, recording two sacks among his eight tackles. You can meet Lowry Tuesday night at the Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main St., during the “One for the Books, an Evening with Dean Lowry” event to benefit the Rockford Public Library Foundation. Tickets cost $40 per person and it buys: 6 p.m., appetizers, cash bar and auction. 7 p.m., talking with Dean Lowry. 8 p.m. live auction emceed by Dennis Horton. The Rockford Public Library foundation was formed in 1989 to support the Rockford Public Library by raising funds to support the various activities, six branches and the Nordlof Center. To reserve tickets, call 815-987-6611.

If you missed it, Sweeney Todd is coming to Rockford this week. Gateway Performing Arts Studio is bringing this dark and thrilling musical to life at Rockford University’s Maddox Theater. Sweeney Todd: A Musical Thriller is the unsettling tale of a victorian-era barber who returns home to London after fifteen years of exile to take revenge on the corrupt judge who ruined his life. Collaboration is key for any major success, and two local businesses came together to bring a bit more authenticity to the play. Gateway and Dave Armstrong, of Downtown Barbers and Brovember, are collaborating to bring a really neat detail to the stage. Dave is lending Gateway one of his antique barber chairs for the show. Tickets for this awesome production are $12 + $1 fee online or $15 at the door. Student discounts are available at the door with a valid student ID. Dates: Friday, March 3 @7pm Saturday, March 4 @ 2&7pm Sunday, March 5 @ 2&7pm If you haven’t seen a performance by Gateway, let me tell you, it is a great time. They have a great group of talents of all ages. You will see some performers in roles that have been typically cast by performances of a different age, gender, or race. They don’t take the look into account when assigning roles. The best actor for the part gets the part. It is refreshing and makes their performances even more exciting. Gateway puts on great shows, and their production of Sweeney Todd is going to live up to that. It is a beloved broadway play, and it'll be exciting to see their interpretation of it. Don't miss out!

Education. It is a privilege highly valued by our society, and yet the issues facing successful education programs can be staggering. What if there was a way for an entire community to come around their educational system in a concerted effort? Imagine the lasting change that sort of focus could produce. Alignment Rockford is an organization that is capable of doing just that – focusing the community and school district towards common goals. We sat down with Bridget French, executive director of Alignment Rockford, to hear about how this tremendous organization got started and where they are headed. From Disconnect to Culture Change In 2009, a group of community members came together to discuss the state of Rockford School District 205. They felt that our community could no longer sustain current trends such as low graduation rates. The big question on the table was, “What can we do to support our public education system?” It was a tough question to tackle. Many business and community leaders felt unwelcomed in the public school system and didn’t want to add yet another new scheme to fix old problems. At the same time, the school system was wondering why the community didn’t seem to care. There was a big disconnect. This group of leaders began to look at best practices in other communities around the nation. They discovered a model in Nashville, Tennessee, called Alignment Nashville. Founded in 2002, the implementation of Alignment Nashville had resulted in dramatic increases in graduation rates and other objectives. After some collaboration with Alignment Nashville, Alignment Rockford was formed and started meeting in 2010. Since its formation, graduation rates have been up 10% for minority students and 6% for majority students. The biggest shift, however, has been in the District 205 culture. Those who are involved in the education system can testify to how things are really changing for the better. Success for All Students Alignment Rockford works because it connects educators to the rest of the community, creating systems that thrive and produce the desired results. They work constantly to find ways for the community to support what is already happening in the schools. In this type of collaboration, school administrators are able to share what is feasible in the classroom while community members are able to help educators consider ideas that work in other sectors of society. “We often say that we’re working towards system changes that are going to help students continue to be successful and help students who are not even born yet,” explained Bridget. “We are creating a framework to help all students succeed.” One of Alignment Rockford’s biggest successes to date is the implementation of Academies in Rockford public high schools. Academies allow students to develop towards a specific field of study. College and career support teams (community volunteers) help teachers connect their curriculum to everyday jobs. Business owners open up their businesses for students to visit and gain some experience in. Several things happened to make the Academy program possible. The capital bonds referendum enabled facility upgrades, which made spaces more conducive to smaller learning communities. The high schools went from six to seven periods a day. Perhaps most importantly, Dr. Jarrett, a Rockford native, was appointed superintendent. This was the first time that District 205 moved away from looking “outside” for help. From the beginning, Dr. Jarrett was a strong advocate for community involvement. The structures for the Academy program are set in place. Now Alignment Rockford is focusing on how to make it self-sustainable. The next phase will focus on adequate training for teachers, Academy support teams in full operation, and an emphasis on recruiting volunteers. Supporting Careers in our Community A wonderful example of how Alignment Rockford works is the Education Pathway partnership between District 205 and Rockford University. It is an innovative plan designed to keep students in Rockford by providing incentives for building their teaching careers in District 205. It starts all the way down the line with elementary school students engaging in career awareness activities. These activities then connect students to the Academy program in high school. Students involved in an Academy can receive credit for college. Students who enter the Rockford University Education Pathway receive discounted tuition, are guaranteed an interview with Rockford Public Schools, and if offered a job get their Master’s paid for! The next area Alignment Rockford wants to create a similar pathway is in our police and fire departments. From there, they will continue through different sectors of our community, working towards ways to bring education and career choices into alignment. Early childhood is also an area of concern. Early childhood in Rockford is a complex and difficult system. There are many children coming into kindergarten with basic foundations not in place. Alignment Rockford is asking, “How do we coordinate the system so that families get the support they need from birth?” A Successful Model Once only one of two alignment models, Alignment Rockford is now one of 14. This strategy is spreading across the nation, and Alignment Rockford is looked up to nationally as a successful model. Much of the success depends on volunteers – people willing to offer their expertise, their time, and their support to District 205. The more employers and community members are engaged in our schools, the more successful students will become, and the stronger our community will grow. To find ways to be involved, visit their website at portal.alignmentrockford.com, or email katy@alignmentrockford.com. Consider taking part in their large recruitment event at Prairie Street Brewhouse on April 27. 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.

John Nelson was born April 5, 1830 in the parish of Karrakra, Westergoland, Sweden. At 22 years old Nelson left Sweden for America. The voyage took six weeks. After arriving in New York City, he traveled to Chicago, Elgin and Sycamore, where he worked in wood turning and model making. He was united in marriage on November 4, 1854 to Miss Eva Christina Person whose acquaintance formed on board the ship that carried them across the ocean. She also was a native of Vestergotland, born May 6, 1834. They had six sons, two of which died, Frithiof in early childhood and Alfred at age 33. They also had one daughter – Anna. After being employed as a wood worker for a time, he started a woodworking factory, which later developed into a furniture manufacturing plant. John Nelson began to ponder on various mechanical problems. One of these was solved by the invention of a dovetailing machine, which was in use for many years, first in Nelson’s own shop and afterwards in the sash, door and blind factory operated by John Nelson, A. C. Johnson and Gust Hollem about 1865 At a mechanical exhibit in Chicago, Nelson saw a circular type knitting machine that he later said “did a poor job making a sock”. Automatic knitting machines at that time had to be stopped and the heel and the toe finished by hand making it a two part process. He became obsessed with the idea of a new form of sock and stocking manufacturing process that didn’t leave an uncomfortable seam along the heel. He sold the furniture factory, and his wife had to wash clothes to pay the bills. In 1866 John Nelson associated himself with William Worth Burson, inventor of the grain binder, after much tedious labor on the part of both men, a power machine was perfected, on which patents were issued in 1868, 1870 and 1875, and in July, 1870. The first sock was knit by an automatic machine in the city of Rockford. This was also the first practical automatic knitting machine. The socks came from this machine joined together and were separated by hand. Hand work was also required in closing the toe. This result did not satisfy Nelson, however, and he continued puzzling over the problem of producing a machine that would turn out a complete hose. In 1872- 73 the so-called parallel row machine was developed by him. This closed both heel and toe, producing a stocking ready to wear without hand work. The parallel row machine was the pioneer in seamless hosiery and superseded the old line of goods in every market reached on account both of greater durability and the cheaper cost of production and laid the groundwork for Rockford’s knitting industry. The parallel row machine has since been brought to a much higher degree of perfection by successive improvements, but it was sufficiently practical even then to lay the foundation for Rockford’s knitting industry. The Rockford product was the pioneer in seamless hosiery and superseded the old line of goods in every market reached on account both of greater durability and the cheaper cost of production. John Nelson is called the father of the “Sock Monkey” as they were made from Rockford Socks. John Nelson passed away at Rockford on April 15, 1883 at the age of 53. Throwback Thursday Rockford edition is made possible by our friends over at Rockford Reminisce! They do an awesome job of researching and bringing readers some awesome historical facts and stories about our great city! With their help, we are bringing you some historical highlights every Thursday morning for #TBTRockford! Enjoy this week’s installment of TBT Rockford featuring John Nelson!

The neat thing about the Discovery Center Museum here in Rockford is that you can have fun no matter what day or what time of year you go. Even better, they often have some really cool events that make your experience even better. This Spring, they have a boatload of stuff coming your way that you really need to check out. The kids will be happy, and you will be a superhero for taking them on a bunch of fun adventures! Check out the list below. Ag All Around Us – March 11 11:00 am - 2:00 pm Get ready for National Agriculture Week with cute crafts and amazing activities! Meet local farmers, check out real farm equipment, and get hands-on with where food comes. You’ll be amazed at the number of things we grow right here in Illinois! Turn corn into plastic, measure yourself against a plant, and more! Bandanas, work boots and bib overalls optional. Included with Discovery Center admission. Nano Day – March 25 11:30 am – 3:30 pm Did you know that singing greeting cards, no-stain fabric, touch screens and mood rings each owe their remarkable abilities to nanotechnology? Delve into the incredibly infinitesimal nano-scale world with hands-on projects and live science demonstrations. Explore cutting-edge applications as you discover ways in which teeny tiny size can make an enormous difference. Included with Museum admission. Spring into Science – March 27-31 11:00 am – 3:00 pm Keep your brain engaged over spring break with fun creative activities and live science demonstrations. Play with numbers, explore colors, and turn everything into art! Included with Museum admission Egg Hunt – April 15 10:00 am – 3:00 pm Hop into your favorite museum and fill your basket with yummy treats as Discovery Center joins Burpee Museum for this annual egg-stravaganza! Kids and grown ups can create super springtime art and create clever crafts. Kids 9 and under can look for eggs at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. Come early and enjoy both Museums! Member kids: $3, Public: $10 adults, $12 kids Future Nurses Academy – April 22 10:00 am – 2:00 pm What fun it would be to be a nurse! Learn how to check X-Rays, take blood pressure, and make the rounds on this day of medical fun. Talk to real nurses and get your hands on actual equipment as you explore a career in nursing! Included with Museum admission. Astronomy Day – April 29 11:00 am – 3:00 pm Science is looking up as Discovery Center Celebrates National Astronomy Day. Enjoy a free planetarium show, learn to read a star map, and create glittery star crafts. Check out the inner workings of our star the Sun, and get yourself set for this summer’s total solar eclipse. The Discovery Center leaders and staff work really hard to provide an engaging and educational experience for kids and parents alike. They are able to do this through event coordination and the help of a bunch of awesome organizations around Rockford and Northern Illinois that provide them with grants. The Discovery Center is a great source of pride for your town, and a true group effort has kept it thriving. Check out these neat events and take advantage of what the museum has to offer!

A former NFL player, a group of unlikely state finalists and Auburn High School’s first state champion of any kind highlight the Fifth Annual Champions Ball Saturday night. The Rockford School District will induct three athletes, one team, one coach and a barrier-breaking administrator into its RPS Athletics Hall of Fame at the Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, 200 S. Bell School Road. Tickets still are available. The $50 cost includes dinner. This year’s honorees are an eclectic bunch covering several decades: Leonard Bell was a football, wrestling and track star at Jefferson High School. After a stellar college career at Indiana he was taken in the third round of the 1987 NFL draft by Cincinnati, where he played for one season. Carrie Zarse Velasquez was a three-time IHSA diving champion for Auburn and Big 10 diving champion at Michigan. Hal Carlson from the now entirely demolished Rockford High School was a 14-year pitcher in the major leagues from 1917 to 1930. The Guilford Vikings 1992-1993 basketball team finished second in the NIC-9, but then went on a magical playoff run that carried them to the IHSA title game. Roger Lindeman coached Guilford’s boys golf team to four state titles. Diane Peterson was the first female athletic director for Rockford Public Schools when she took over Jefferson’s athletics in 1994. The Champions Ball is a fundraiser for the Rockford Sports Coalition, which collects money to support athletics in the Rockford School District. The event begins at 5 p.m. and includes plenty of opportunities to swap war stories with some of Rockford’s finest athletes and people. To buy tickets, go to the athletics page at www.rps205.com, call 815-966-8960 or email Emily Tropp at Emily.tropp@rps205.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.

A nice day means it is time for some outdoor adventures. If you are in the area, Alpine Park is a great place to hangout. Even though it is a pretty big area, it has a nice neighborhood park feel to it. There are many open areas with park benches as well as some open park pavilions. There is a little bit of everything at Alpine Parks which makes it a good destination for a day out, a place to get some exercise, or for events such as birthday parties. The grassy areas are large and well kept. The wooded areas are nice and shaded if you want to take a walk in a smaller forest landscape. Alpine Park is also home to a good-sized playground. The kids will enjoy a fun time running around and playing on all of the different playground equipment. Let’s be honest here, everyone needs a nice afternoon of swinging. I would be lying if I said I didn’t visit the park to go swinging from time to time. The park is easily accessible off of Alpine Road (shocker, right?), and the paved path through the park makes it easy to get to your destination. When it is really nice outside, Alpine Park is also home to the Alpine Park pool which offers hours of fun for swimmers and people who just want to work on their tan. This park is almost hidden in plain sight. That is part of what makes Rockford so neat. We have all of these gems around us that are incredibly easy to get to! It is supposed to cool back down a little this weekend, but other than that, it is going to be nice for a little while. I suggest you go out and enjoy the park!

For all of you that are into live entertainment, there are a bunch of events coming up for you! Whether you are into plays, wrestling, or music, there is a little something for everyone! Check out this list. It's a good one! February 22 – Poetry Outloud Contest Eleven students from Auburn and Jefferson High Schools will be participating in thr Northern Illinois Poetry Out Loud regional contest. You can hear these young poets’ work at Jefferson High School on February 22nd at 7:00 pm. The first and second place winners of this contest will move on to the State competition on Friday, March 10. Come out and support our student writers. The event is free and open to the public. February 25 – Ilya Kaler Internationally renowned violinist Ilya Kaler and his son Daniel are coming to the Coronado to perform Brahms concerto for violin and cello. On Saturday, February 25 at 7:30 pm, you are in for a treat of sweet, sweet music. Ilya is a three-time Gold Medal winner in three of the most prestigious international competitions. Daniel studied cello under Professor Hans Jorgen Jensen of the Northwestern University Beinen School of Music for the past 10 years. Tickets are available on the RSO website HERE or by calling their box office (815-965-0049). February 25 – Rockford Rhythm Open House The Rockford Rhythm is a new music program in Rockford for students in grades 6-12! It is a Drumline program in partnership with the Phantom Regiment and Rockford Symphony Orchestra. They are hosting an open house on Sunday, February 25 from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm at the Emerson House, 420 N. Main. Students from all around the region are welcome to join the program will offers percussion instruction taught by regional and national music educators. March 3 – Blunderland Rufus Cadigan’s one-person play is a true story of Rockford’s Bill Carlson (1934-2012). If you don’t know of Bill Carlson, he is one of Rockford’s most fascinating figures. He traveled between Rockford and Chicago performing as a drag queen. He later became an ordained deacon ministering at St. Chad’s Episcopal Church in Loves Park. Blunderland will be performed at The Office Niteclub. This comedy has humorous sides with improvisation and audience participation but also a serious tone as it portrays the struggle of local LGBT people in past years. There will be four performances of this play with the first being on Friday, March 3, 2017 at 8:00 pm. The other performances will be on March 4, 10, and 11 – all at 8:00 pm. Tickets are $10 and can be reserved in advance at The office or purchased at the door! March 5 – 76th Young Artist Show Teachers from 20 schools within a 50 mile radius of the Rockford Art Museum submitted nearly 1,100 pieces for consideration for the 76th Young Artist Show: High School Division. This year’s jurors chose 146 pieces that represent 107 students from 16 area schools to be included in this year’s show! The art show comes to Rockford on Sunday, March 5 and will remain on view through April 2, 2017. The public opening and awards ceremony is March 5 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm at RAM. Come out and support our local student artists! It is a show with a mix of paintings, prints, drawings, sculptures, photography, digital, mixed media and more! March 5 – WWE Live WWE is coming to the BMO on the Road to Wrestlemania! The show is on Sunday, March 5 at 6:00pm. The show will feature a Triple Threat Match with Dean Ambroze vs. Baron Corbin vs. AJ Styles. You will also see appearances by Randy Orton, Bray Myatt, Beck Lynch, Alexa Bliss, MIckie James, Dolph Ziggler, Luke Harper, Kalisto, Apollo Crews, and more! You don’t want to miss the WWE Smackdown Tag Team Championship Match between American Alpha vs The Usos. It is going to be one action-packed evening! April 28 – Celtic Woman Celtic Woman will be performing its newest studio album, Voices of Angels, at the Coronado on April 28, 2017 at 7:30 pm. Celtic Woman has had twelve chart-topping albums, nine DVDs and nine public television specials. The Voices of Angels album has reached #1 on Billboard’s World Albums chart. Basically, you are in for a great show. May 20 – KANSAS Iconic classic rock band, KANSAS, is bringing their 40th Anniversary Leftoverture Tour to the Coronado on Saturday, May 20, 2017! Tickets went on sale on February 17, and they can be purchased at the BMO Box Office, Coronado PAC Box Offic, bu phone (815-968-5222), or online at ticketmaster.com! If you are a fan, don’t miss out on this exciting performance. Phew! And that is only until May! Not to mention all of the great local bands performing all over town. Make sure you stay updated with our events page! If you attend any of these events, post some pictures with the hashtag #MYROCKFORD and let us see them!

This weekend, you and the family can attend a FUNdraiser (haha, get it? FUN-draiser? A fun fundraiser)at the Cherry Valley Public Library! The library will be transforming into a miniature golf course for their fifth annual Mini-Golf in the Library and Silent Auction fundraiser. As we know, books are incredibly important to people in every walk of life. They can teach children all sorts of things from the alphabet to colors to what different vehicles are and what they do. They can take teenagers away into a fantasy world hidden in their pages. They can take anyone on a trip through history to learn about what has happened in our world before our lifetimes. There are also books that are just fun to read and it is a great, healthy pastime. The proceeds from this fundraiser for the Cherry Valley Public Library will be used for the expansion of library programs, services, collections, and facilities. For just $5 per person, the whole family can test out their mini-golf skills on a 9-hole course arranged throughout the library. Children under 3 are free with a paying adult. No library card is needed, just come out and have fun! That is what it is all about. You can learn more about the library and their programs at their website HERE.

Every once in a while, a restaurant that is truly special shows up in town – a place that seems to be made of the very fabric of the community, and you just can’t imagine the town without it. Lino’s is just such a place, and we sat down with Charlie Schweinler and Joe and Jim Battista to hear the beautiful story about one of Rockford’s favorite pizza restaurants. A Better Life in Rockford The story begins with Joe and Jim’s father, Mike Battista, and an unlooked-for opportunity. While Mike was working in Chicago doing research and development, he suddenly found himself faced with a difficult choice: transfer to Phoenix or find a new job. At around the same time, Joe and Jim’s uncle bought Capri, a pizza restaurant in downtown Rockford. Mike made the decision that would change his family’s life – he joined up with his brother-in-law, pouring his life’s savings into Capri. “He decided the opportunity for a better life was in Rockford,” explained Jim. One restaurant led to another, and in October of 1972, Mike bought some property and opened up Lino’s. Family Owned & Custom Ordered From the very beginning, Lino’s was a joint venture between the Battista family and the Rockford community. Carryout pizza and a few pasta dishes got them started, but the menu grew as they listened to the requests of their customers. For a time, it almost seemed as though Lino’s was a custom-order restaurant! The whole family, having grown up with the same type of cooking and taste, took a hand in developing recipes, but Jim’s mom was the genius behind revamping traditional dishes and making them something truly special. As the restaurant grew and patrons gave their feedback, the menu expanded. “This is our customer’s creation. They’ve told us what they’ve wanted and we’ve produced it,” Jim explained. Lino’s tagline is “Come Home to Lino’s,” and it’s not just a catchy phrase. It’s what the Rockford community has branded them with. Lino’s has always been a homey, comfortable place. Even as they’ve grown (three major additions and six renovations!) they have strived to maintain small spaces and familiar faces that keep that homey feeling alive. In fact, long-term patrons and staff are considered ‘extended family.’ “We’ve accumulated 45 years of weddings and traditions and memories and celebrations. It’s very humbling to be a part of so many people’s lives,” shared Charlie. Coming from the corporate world to working in a family-owned business, Charlie can see the benefits of the atmosphere that Lino's offers. “Everybody’s there for each other, always working together,” he explained. “I think that feeds out to our customers as well, as far as customer service and taking care of people, making them feel like they’ve come home to Lino’s.” Keeping Things Fresh Familiarity is important to them, but so is innovation. Lino's has recently started hosting “Speakeasy” nights, where, as Joe explained it, patrons come in the back door and immediately get pulled downstairs for live jazz and a taste of the new appetizer menu. Their next Speakeasy night is St. Patrick’s Day. You can also hear live jazz every Tuesday and Thursday night. Keep your eyes open for their Mother’s Day meal – the only day of the year Lino's serves prime rib! Lino's is truly a mainstay in the Rockford community, and a place to come home to. “We really appreciate how Rockford has supported us all through the years and continues to,” shared Jim. “We feel blessed by how Rockford has embraced us.” 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.

Matt Simpson was born in Joliet, but his family moved here when he was two years old. Rockford is all that he knows as home. While it has the good and the bad as any town does, Matt has found a way to carve out a spot for himself and find success here. Matt graduated Auburn in 2005 and he loved it. From there, he went on to complete his undergrad degree in Economics at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. After that, he completed his Masters of Public Administration graduate degree at Northern Illinois University. Graduate school was one of the hardest experiences of his life, but it has left him with a whole lot of determination and many stories to share. He had all of these adult responsibilities, but he had no money. He had to commute to Dekalb for school, work an internship in Glenn Ellyn, and he also held a part-time job. He spent a lot of time couch surfing. Thankfully, his classmates helped him out a lot and gave him a place to stay. Often, he carried around a duffle bag full of clothes and home became a different couch every so often. The struggle didn’t keep him down, and now he is here succeeding. These days, when he isn’t working his full-time job with the United Way of Rock River Valley, he is managing Eight Fifteen Capital, working with the Wabongo Leadership Council, and working with his brother Josh on his musical career. Matt and his brother, Joshua Patteron (aka RAJU) are very close and spend a lot of time together, but it is also all about the businesses with them. Most of their energy goes into their non-profit, their 815 Capital, and the music. He enjoys the hard work and the hustle, even though it isn’t always easy. “When you have your stuff together, you can achieve your dreams.” Matt Simpson’s favorite thing about Rockford is the support; the support that you receive in your endeavors, and also the support that you don’t receive along the way. There is something about having to shoulder things yourself. Having to get through the education system and find economic opportunities that don’t exist for everyone. Sometimes people are willing to support you, sometimes they aren’t. If you can endure it, you can rise above anything. There are a lot of opportunities here in Rockford for people who are willing to work for it. Finding success in this town will teach you to be strong and determined, but once you find it, the support that you will receive is overwhelming. Our community is special, you just have to find exactly where you belong, help others along the way, and be nice to each other. He stays connected to our community by talking. That sounds simple, but it isn’t always as simple as it sounds. Matt takes the time to really start conversations with people and then listen to what they have to say. He genuinely cares about their stories and their experiences. He respects the people of this town, and he wants to get to know them. “The people make Rockford what it is. The people of Rockford make it a beautiful city. You have to talk to people and keep your mind open. People are different, and that is okay.” When he isn’t working, he likes to spend his free time exercising and just chilling. He enjoys reading, watching youtube videos, and he really enjoys cooking. His favorite meal to cook used to be pork chops, but now he loves to cook a nice veggie omlette or a roasted duck. Every year at Thanksgiving, he makes a roasted duck for his family. Sticking with the family traditions, 12 years ago, his father started taking all of the women in the family out for Valentine’s Day dinner. His father has since passed, so he and his cousin have carried on the tradition. It makes for a great evening full of love and laughter. Fast Facts: Favorite Movie – Belly Favorite Book – The Souls of Black Folk by W. E. B. Du Bois Favorite Musical Artist – James Brown, the godfather of soul. No matter what the song is, you can feel the emotions. Favorite Local Restaurant – Zammuto’s. The owners are great people, and it just feels like a family. Plus, those granitas can’t be beat. He loves pizza He has been growing his hair out for 12 years now. He is a trained classical baritone/bass vocalist Matt hosts Karaoke every other Friday at the Aragona Convention Center. Sitting down with Matt over coffee to hear his story was a great time. He is a fun guy to talk to, and his passion for his work and this town is clearly evident. You can catch him on instagram at @manofculture. Let's change the narrative about our town. We have so many great people and places around here, and they need to be showcased. use the hashtag #MYROCKFORD on Facebook and Twitter to show off what you love about our town. Let's spread the love and positivity!

The next wave of fun is coming to Magic Waters Water Park! There is a brand new water slide coming to town in the 2017 season. This new ride takes riders on a thrilling adventure where they go from 0 to 37 mph in a matter of seconds. The slide drops single riders down a near-vertical slide and into an inclined loop. Riders start in an enclosed capsule with a trap door that opens, sending riders into a full looping slide in a matter of seconds, defying gravity. Last fall, Magic Waters held a content to name the thrilling ride, and now we have a winner! This new water slide will be called Screaming Lizard! I know summer isn’t here yet, but it is coming soon. With this beautiful weather we are having, it is time to start looking forward to the hours worth of fun! Magic Waters water park has been providing a lot of laughs and a lot of fun for families in the Rockford area for years. They are always trying to make their park better and more exciting for their visitors. Opening Weekend for Magic Water is May 27-29. They will be open 7 days a week from June 3 to August 20. Start getting your suits ready and stock up on sunscreen! It is coming faster than you think, my friends.

There’s something about pulling out my bottle of lavender balsamic vinegar that seems to elevate me (and my salad) into “gourmet status.” I’m transformed into the finest of chefs, dabbling with unique flavors and textures. . . Yep, I’m a foodie. And it turns out that Rockford is kind of an ideal place for foodies. We have top notch micro-breweries. Several coffee roasting companies. Meat markets. Cheese markets. Wineries. Not to mention some really amazing chefs. We don’t need to leave this city anymore to find great food and quality resources. Charles Ducharme, a self-proclaimed foodie, is another living testimony to the quality of Rockford’s food. Charles loves to cook and experiment with flavors, and his ultimate dream was to own a restaurant. But life had something else in store, and now he and his wife Brandi own Olive Oil Experience and have added unique olive oils, balsamic vinegars and spices to the growing list of fine food available in this city. We sat down with Charles to get his story. A Taste of Peach Balsamic “They always say that some of the best ideas come at times when you least expect it,” said Charles. His came during a routine holiday road trip to his in-laws. It was Christmas of 2010, down in Missouri, when Charles got his first taste of flavored balsamic vinegar. It was peach, and he was blown away by how good it tasted. He knew good balsamic vinegar, and he knew bad, but he had never had anything like this before. He and Brandi had a long drive home, and the wheels started spinning. “It was an eight-hour trip filled with talking back and forth about olive oils and balsamics and how Rockford could really use a place like that,” he remembered. Charles and Brandi discussed the possibilities all year, and in 2011 they started to get serious. They looked into possible suppliers, and in September of 2011 they opened the Olive Oil Experience on East Riverside Blvd. Expansion The Olive Oil Experience started out with thirty olive oils, some balsamic vinegars, and miscellaneous spices. Almost instantly they had a following. They were offering something that Rockford wanted, and in a way that made shopping exciting, as customers were able to taste-test oils and vinegars to find something that was just right. The whole idea snowballed right out of the gate. They filled their 1100 square foot building quickly, and after a year, knocked down a wall and added Spice Galleria, expanding to a couple hundred spices and various gourmet items. In 2013 they were anxious to grow again. They took the corner spot in the same strip mall – a much bigger space – and added Be a Casual Gourmet, which offers gourmet items and kitchen knickknacks. That same year they also opened Olive Oil Experience in downtown Rockford. Finding Your Inner Chef For Charles, owning Olive Oil Experience has met his inner chef, and so much more. The unique oils, vinegars and spices allow him to experiment with flavors in his own cooking, and he gets the opportunity to meet a lot of restaurant owners and chefs. “The coolest thing for us with the business comes from people that really appreciate how good a product we have,” he explained. “They share what they’ve created with their products, their ‘favorite dish of all time.’ We know them by name, now, because they’re in every few weeks.” With a core customer base of 1000 people, and up to 5000 in their loyalty club program, Olive Oil Experience is definitely fulfilling the inner chef in a lot of other people, too! Charles and Brandi know what it’s like to have skin in the game as small business owners. They’ve put down roots in this community, and most recently have been focusing on downtown. “For our business, the growth is going to come from the downtown area,” said Charles. They’ve become more involved downtown with organizations such as The Element and restaurants such as Prairie Street Brewhouse. Be sure to look for them at downtown block events this summer. And definitely head over to one of their storefronts and start tasting balsamic vinegars and olive oils. It’s an experience you won’t forget, and it just might awaken the inner foodie in you. 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.

If you are going downtown, stopping in for breakfast or lunch at Magpie is never a bad idea. That is what I did, except I had no idea what I was hungry for. Looking through the menu, I saw the Hot Brown and I was intrigued. So, what is a Hot Brown? From the name and maybe from the photo, it could be hard to figure out. Let me tell you what, this meal is delicious. As soon as I tell you what it is, you are going to be running to Magpie. So what is it? Glad you asked. The Hot Brown is turkey and bacon on top of toast points. Cool, right? That isn’t all. See that sauce on it? That would be a house-made cheese sauce. That’s right. Is your mind blown yet? It should be. Of course, a nice side of fries is a great complement to this yummy dish. Here is a pro tip for you, if you are not prepared to eat this, it can get messy. Use your utensils to their full potential. My course of action was to just pick up a piece of toast and make sure there was a satisfactory amount of topping on it and just go at it. Thinking back, it may have been smarter to cut it up into easy bites. I didn’t make a disastrous mess, but it could have easily gotten out of hand. Turkey and bacon may be one of the best pairings ever. They both has such different tastes, but they are a great match. Add to that this great, creamy cheese sauce and you have a great lunch. The sauce was very smooth and it tasted so very good. They are always cooking up some great house-made food and treats at Magpie. They have their standard menu, but their always-changing special and dessert options are always so good. You have to just keep going back for more to see what is being cooked up. It is a great breakfast and lunch spot with a very comfortable and welcoming atmosphere. Magpie is quickly becoming one of Rockford’s favorite restaurants!

Now that Valentine’s Day is over, you may be looking at your bank account and wondering where everything went. No worries, there are still things to do here in town that you won’t have to spend money on! Explore The cool thing about Rockford is that it is located in Northern Illinois. The cool thing about Northern Illinois is that we are surrounded by so many different nature-scapes. Fields, forests, lakes, rivers, etc. The list goes on, and most of these things are free to explore. We have some great Forest Preserves and Severson Dells. We also have a great Park District with a lot of cool stuff to explore. Knowledge Is Power So, we have an awesome Park District. We also have an awesome library! Yay for awesomeness! Along with checking out books, they also have free programs going on all of the time for people of all ages. Get yourself involved or get the kids into reading. The Rockford Public Library is a great resource. Free Events Okay, yes, this is a broad topic, but it is impossible for us to know everything that might pop up. What we do know is that there are new and FREE events popping up on our calendar almost every day. All you have to do is visit our nifty events page to keep yourself up to date. You will be surprised how many things you can do here in town without breaking the bank. Art Is Fun The art community here in Rockford is thriving. We have some great galleries and some awesome sculptures all around town. Whether you go take a walk around our galleries or museums, or if you just walk along the streets downtown, you will see the beauty that is Rockford art. Oh, and the Rockford Art Museum has free days every Tuesday. Free events are some of everybody’s favorite things to do. Rockford has a lot to offer in terms of free activities. So maybe, just maybe, you should take my advice and explore all that Rockford has to offer.

Rockford has long been a Chicago Bulls town with our proximity to the Windy City, but thousands of local fans have adopted the Toronto Raptors as their team this year because of Fred VanVleet. VanVleet is a 2012 Auburn High School graduate who starred for four years at Wichita State, including playing on one team that advanced to the NCAA Final Four and another that went through the regular season undefeated before losing in the NCAA tournament. The Raptors signed VanVleet last summer and on November 9, when he checked into a game against Oklahoma City, he became the first Rockford Public School player to play in an NBA game since West’s Mark Sibley in 1974 and the first NIC-10 player of any school since 1994. Although his opportunities have been scattered, VanVleet has proven he can play at that level, scoring 60 points and recording 18 assists in 145 minutes of action over 21 games. Over a 48-minute game, that equates to 19.9 points and 6.0 assists. VanVleet will be in Rockford this weekend to watch the NBA All-Star game with his hometown fans. The District Bar & Grill, 205 W. State St., will host the FVV All-Star Party Sunday night. The party is a fundraiser to help bring more sporting events to the Rockford area. Proceeds will go to the RACVB (Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau) Foundation. The party begins at 5 p.m. and includes musical performances by local artists, Ashleye Armelin and RAJU. Tickets cost $30 for general admission and $50 for VIP access. The admission includes a food buffet, live music and a silent auction. You can buy tickets at The District or online 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.

We have all seen it, and it is easy to just walk or drive by it without paying much attention. When you are so used to something being there, you sort of take it for granted and don’t take the time to appreciate it. Symbol is one of these things, but I think it is time for you all to change that! Next time you are in the area, I challenge you to park your car (there is a convenient little parking lot right by it!), get out of your car, and go look at this thing up close. Side note – if you do it when it is warmer out, you can bond with some very enthusiastic geese. Symbol is on a very peaceful part of the Sinnissippi path. There is usually a nice breeze blowing off of the river, and you can hear the small waves hitting the shore. There isn’t too much foot traffic down there unless you hit it during a peak time, so you can stand or sit (there are benches!) over there and clear your mind. There aren’t many things that are more ROCKFORD than taking the time to appreciate the Symbol, and trust me when I tell you that you can truly appreciate Rockford’s beauty when you are down there with it. Even better, if you happen to make it down there on a clear day, stand next to it and look straight up. The color of Symbol was chosen because it is the perfect complement to the color of a blue sky. It is really something else. If you make it down to see Symbol, we want to see your pictures and hear about your adventure. Post it on Instagram or Facebook and use the hashtag #MYROCKFORD. Help us spread the beauty of our town. And, seriously. . . those geese. Have a conversation with them. They are pretty funny.

This weekend, Veterans Memorial Hall is celebrating Black History Month with a few really neat events. Before President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Executive Order on June 25, 1941 calling for fair employment practice, African American soldiers were denied military leadership roles and skilled training. It is important to remember our nation’s history and celebrate those who persevered through the hard times to get where they are today. The purpose of this weekend is to celebrate African American veterans who served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars and beyond. Saturday February 18, 2017 – 1:00 – 4:00 pm The Veterans Memorial Hall welcomes three of the original Tuskegee Airmen and Rockford’s own Veterans from The Korean War era. Sunday February 19, 2017 – 1:00 – 4:00 pm Three original Montford Point Marines and local Veterans from the Vietnam War era will be at the Hall. During both of these events, the present Veterans will be sharing their stories about serving in the military, patriotism, and providing insight on what it meant to be an African American serving in the United States Military. Guests will have a chance to meet these brave soldiers and have some great conversations with them. This year, there will also be a special presentation about African American Women in the Military on both days. This great weekend takes place at Veterans Memorial Hall, 211 N. Main Street. Admission is $5, free for seniors and students. This is a very unique event, and you don't want to miss out on talking to these awesome people and hear some stories that you can't hear anywhere else.

Sweeney Todd is a very dark musical about a barber that is a little too blood-happy. It was turned into the popular movie adaptation starting Johnny Depp. Now, it is coming to Rockford! If you haven’t seen a performance by Gateway, let me tell you, it is a great time. They have a great group of talents of all ages. You may even see some performers in roles that have been typically cast by performances of a different age, gender, or race. They don’t take the look into account when assigning roles. The best actor for the part gets the part. It is refreshing and makes their performances even more exciting. If that hasn’t convinced you enough, they will be performing Sweeney Todd in the awesome Maddox Theatre at Rockford University. RU has been awesome with providing Gateway a home for their performances, and it is the perfect venue. Here are the details: When? March 3-5, 2017 Where? Rockford University Maddox Theatre, 5050 E State Tickets? You can buy them HERE! Kick off the month of March with an awesome weekend. This performance is going to be really neat. If their past performances are anything to go by, you are in for a treat.

A date night is such a lovely thing. You get to spend some time with the person that you love being with, and you get a little break from your normal day-to-day activities. If you don’t have a romantic date, there is nothing wrong with a friend date! So, what is the #1 date night destination here in Rockford? We asked for your vote, and you told us! The winner is. . . ABREO! Not a surprise here. Abreo is a very nice restaurant that is right in the heart of Rockford. They offer a fine dining experience in an intimate setting. Make makes Abreo even more cool? They are always playing with their menu. They don’t keep things dull at Abreo. There is always something new and exciting coming through the kitchen. A date night here is great way to keep your relationships exciting too! Valentine’s Day just so happens to be coming up tomorrow. Your Valentine will not be disappointed if you surprise them with a date to Abreo! Also, CJ’s Public House came second by a very close margin. It happens to be right down the road, so why not stop in there for a drink after your awesome dinner date? I think that sounds like a lovely idea!

When Kenny Polhamus was a young adult, he and his parents spent a lot of time attending banquets and buying guns off the auction block. With an early interest in and respect for guns, it was only natural that shooting and guns have become Kenny’s passion. After six to eight years of selling guns on the side, everything fell into place. The family closed their drywall company due to the downtirn in the economy, leaving them with an empty building that was perfect for a gun shop with an indoor range. In 2012, Kenny and his father moved KAP Guns from Kenny's basement into the empty building. Gun Education KAP Guns focuses on recreational, competitive and self-defense shooting. They are a one-stop shop: they sell guns, clean guns, teach guns, and shoot guns! In fact, KAP Guns offers the only indoor shooting range in the area that is 100% open to the public – no membership required. The range has 5 lanes, and is so popular that it is booked almost every weekend. But KAP Guns isn’t just for experienced gun owners. It’s a great location for learning. They offer concealed carry classes the second weekend of every month, as well as hour-long private lessons by appointment. “Someone who’s never held a gun before usually leaves after an hour feeling comfortable with shooting,” said Kenny. Self-defense classes are taught by a retired Loves Park police officer Jeff Petty. Competitive Shooting KAP Guns is a great resource for anyone wanting to get into competitive shooting. Both Kenny and staff member Alex Gutt are competitive shooters. In fact, Alex won the USPSA Production national championship in 2016 for combat pistol shooting this past year, and Kenny has won a bid to Nationals this year for open division. They know the market well, and can offer an educated, first-hand insight into which guns are best suited for certain purposes. During the winter they host Steel Shooting every Monday evening at 5:30 as an introduction to competitive shooting. What’s on the horizon? Someday Kenny would love to build a bigger building, with several separate ranges including a 100 yard indoor rifle range. But for now, KAP Guns is a really great place to come in and just “talk guns.” Check out all they have to offer at Kapguns.com. 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.

I Am Rockford is a brand new series we are bringing to you that introduces you to the people of Rockford! You have heard about our great local businesses, artists, musicians, etc. Now you get to hear about the people that make up our town. Rockford would be nothing without the people that live here. We are Rockford. You are Rockford. I am Rockford. If you have been on Instagram lately, there is a good chance that you have come across the account Rockford_Cravings. On this lovely account, you will find pictures of food that will make your mouth water and make you super hungry. Most of the photos are taken here at local places, so it’s a neat account to follow to get ideas of where to eat next. After a brief conversation on Instagram, I wanted to sit down with the owner of this account. That is when I met Rachel Cordano! Here is her story. (I feel like we need some dramatic music inserted here. Law and Order-esque). Rachel was born and raised in Rockford and after a short time away for school, she is back! An alum of Boylan High School, she is now the Box Office Manager at the BMO Harris Bank Center. Yes, the home of your Rockford IceHogs! Rachel is a graduate of U of I with a degree in Recreation, Sport, and Tourism Management and puts that degree to use by making sure all of your ticket sales go well and your questions are answered promptly! So, where does Rockford Cravings come in to play? After living in Chicago for a year, where people basically only talk about food, she noticed that she had started posting a lot of food photos to her personal Instagram page. She decided to separate them and Rockford_Cravings was born. Rachel loves Rockford nd wants other people to love it too. “Maybe I can make them love [Rockford] through food!” In her time running this page, Rachel has learned how many hidden treasure restaurants and awesome little companies are in Rockford that she never would have known about. She gets to see all that Rockford has to offer. I asked her what her favorite part about Rockford is and she said, while cheesy, the answer is truly the people here. She also loves how it has a small town feel while also having big city aspects to it as well. You can have the best of both worlds here. Aside from going out to eat and doing Rockford Cravings research, she loves to explore Rockford - Going to events here and there and spending time with friends around town. She has friends from Chicago come to town and she likes to show them around and give them the taste of Rockford. Rachel has two dogs, a Burmese Moutnain Dog and a German Shepard/Shiba Inu mix. She likes to take them for walks, and she also enjoys running to clear her head and to stay in shape. When she isn’t working, taking photos for her Instagram, or walking her dogs, she can usually be found out with her mom every Wednesday. Her mom has Wednesdays off of work, so it is their designated mother-daughter date night. Fast Facts: She is a wine lover She eats a whole lot of Ben and Jerrys ice cream Her favorite TV shows are Scandal and Grey’s Anatomy Her favorite band is Maroon five – to which she added that she has liked them ever since Songs About Jane “I liked Adam before he was hot” Sitting down with Rachel was a great time. It is always nice to get to know the people that make up our town, and it makes living here that much more special. Your perception of your town is what you make it. When you take the time to meet the awesome people that live here, you really start to see how great it is. For more greatness, check out the #MYROCKFORD tag on Instagram. Let’s show off all of the cool parts of our town together.

Spotlight Youth Theater is celebrating its 10th anniversary in Rockford by returning to the place it started – Whoville - in Seussical the Musical this weekend at Hononegah High School in Rockton. Spotlight held its first Rockford-area show put on by students ages 8 to 19 back in 2007 when it performed Seussical at Rockford University’s Maddox Theater. The performances Friday, Saturday and Sunday mark the 30th show the organization has held in Winnebago County. Any organization that survives 10 years makes an impact. In Spotlight’s case, a look at the playbills from the 30 shows show that: 591 students from nine Illinois and Wisconsin counties have appeared in at least one. Two dogs have had roles. And if repeat customers are the measurement of success, then Spotlight has been a smash. 390 students have taken part in two or more plays. 183 have been in five or more. 73 have been in 10 or more. Seven have appeared in 20 or more. Not only is Spotlight performing its original show to honor its anniversary, it’s bringing back some original talent as well. Andrew Trotter, who was Horton the Elephant 10 years ago, is the director of the play. Daniel Englund, who was a Wickersham Brother 10 years ago and appeared in 14 other Spotlight plays, is the assistant director. The Saturday shows are at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. The final show Sunday begins at 3 p.m. Tickets prices are $12 per person for children 2-17, seniors 62 and above and for Spotlight alumni. All others are $14 as long as you buy before the event. You can go to spotlight.org to buy tickets. Tickets bought at the door will cost an additional $2. A special thank you to Alex Gary for writing this piece. Alex Gary spent 22 years as a sports, business and education reporter and editor at newspapers in Beloit, Wis., and Rockford. He now is the communications manager at Thinker Ventures when he’s not umpiring youth baseball, running the scoreboard at Jefferson athletics, working on his NIC-10 Sports History Book website or hanging out with his two daughters.