Articles & Stories | Rockford IL

RHK Streets & Sweets Annual Fundraiser 2022

Rock House Kids, a safe haven for inner-city kids grades 1-12, will be hosting their annual fundraiser, Streets & Sweets, on Thursday, September 22 from 6:00- 8:30 at the Tebala Event Center located at 7910 Newburg Rd, Rockford, IL. Tickets are on still available! The cost to attend is $50 for individual tickets or $400.00 for a table of eight. Rock House Kids Executive Director, Dee Lacny said, “We are always so excited for Streets & Sweets. The kids can’t wait to perform live in front of a large audience! This year has brought so many blessings and there is a lot to celebrate…but at the same time, there is still much more work to be done.” The Emcee for this year’s event will be Michelle Abraham, Host of WTVO’s Good Day Stateline. Streets & Sweets will host delicious appetizers & all you can eat desserts, live performances from the Dance Team, Puppet Team and Motion Team, along with video presentations, speakers and a silent auction. The main sponsor for this year’s Streets & Sweets event is J & M Plating. Additional Sponsorships levels are also still available. Rock House Kids provides free evening programming, mentoring, hot meals, take-home food bags, and daily essentials to more than 250 inner-city youth of Rockford, four evenings a week. RHK receives no government funding, but are wholly supported by donations from the generous corporations, churches, and individuals in the Rockford area. Visit their website at rockhousekids.org

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A Little Bit of Italy at Cucina di Rosa

Tucked away at the intersection of Bell School and Rote Road is Cucina di Rosa, a charming taste of Italy right in our hometown.We opened our meal with a classic dish, the Arancini. Cucina di Rosa has three varieties to choose from including broccoli and cheddar, mozzarella and ham, and meat sauce and peas. It was a tough decision, but we decided on the mozzarella and ham. These Arancini are huge! Don’t expect a dainty bite-size ball, no. Large enough for two people to enjoy, you get one gigantic Arancini. The fried shell was thick and crisp, a nice complement to the soft and cheesy interior.Next up was the main course. Keeping with the classics theme, we ordered the Chicken Parmigiana. You get to choose spaghetti or mostaccioli, and it comes with a refreshing salad loaded with tomato and cucumber. I have to say, they have their fry game down. A lot of times you get a soggy bit of chicken from all the sauce on a dish like chicken parmigiana, but the crisp on this chicken was crispy til the last bit. Almost a country-fried flavor. Highly recommended! The sauce is full of fresh spices and packs a flavor punch.Be sure you save room for dessert! They have an in-house Pasticceria and Gelateria, where they make their own desserts. Fresh croissants, cannolis, cream puffs, cakes, gelato, and more await you!For a quaint Italian dinner, try the flavors of Cucina di Rosa.

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Swedish Pancakes at Stockholm Inn

If you’ve been in Rockford for longer than a week, you’ve heard of Stockholm Inn. If you’ve been in Rockford for longer than a year and haven’t tried it yet… what are you waiting for?We grabbed the family and headed to Stockholm Inn for a Sunday morning meal. We decided on two of their popular combos, the Swedish Pancakes Combo and the Belgian Waffle Combo.The Swedish Pancakes Combo comes with 2 Swedish pancakes, 2 eggs your style, and 2 sausage links or 2 strips of bacon. The Swedish pancakes are big, and almost a little fluffy. They bring a unique flavor to a traditional favorite. You can request a side of lingonberries or lingonberry butter to add that extra flair.The Belgian waffle combo is similar, but served with a fluffy, crispy waffle the size of a dinner plate. You can dress the waffle up with various flavors or toppings to make it your own, and even request it to be gluten free!If buffets are your jam (breakfast pun), be sure to ask about the weekend buffet at Stockholm Inn. With seemingly endless options, you definitely get to try a bit of everything and will never leave hungry. Once you finish breakfast, you can enjoy the gift shop with other Swedish favorites, gifts, and more. It’s a whole experience at Stockholm Inn!

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Corn Mazes!

Is there anything more Midwest than a good corn maze?! We didn’t think so. Grab your friends and get lost in a field! Find your way out, and then celebrate by buying a donut (or 12…).Local Corn Mazes:All Seasons Orchard14510 IL-176, Woodstock, IL 60098Cornerstone Family Church Corn Maze9901 N Tower Rd, Byron, IL 61010The Pumpkin Patch3178 IL-173, Caledonia, IL 61011Run-A-Muc Acres3063 W Becker School Rd, Freeport, IL 61032Skelly's Farm Market2713 S Hayner Rd, Janesville, WI 53548Found another great maze? Let us know!

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Weekend Roundup: September 2 - 5

Happy Labor Day weekend, Rockford! This is a special 4-day edition of the Weekend Roundup. Grab your friends and family and enjoy all the fantastic events this weekend.FridayThe Pottery Lounge is hosting Hocus Pocus Trivia and Paint! Eat snacks, win prizes, paint a keepsake, and show off your knowledge of a spooky season favorite. The Groove Hotel with Gina Meeks is playing Music on the Mall at Edgebrook Mall. Food and drinks from Lucha Cantina and Cork, Keg & Spirits will be available. Seating is limited so bringing your own chair is encouraged!SaturdayCelebrate Ernie’s Midtown Pub’s one-year anniversary! $8.15 food specials, samples, and giveaways accompany the 90’s themed costume party with DJ Vic Monsta spinning at 8:30 PM. Win prizes and party like it’s 1999.Join the Lone Canary at Pig Minds Brewery! Featuring a delicious vegan menu and tasty craft beers, enjoy this outdoor show with chill vibes.SundayRemember On the Waterfront? It’s been 10 years, and now you can celebrate the legacy of On the Waterfront and help support local music scholarships. Enjoy this Labor Day favorite throwback.MondayThe Labor Day Parade route begins at 7th St. & 6th Ave. in Rockford and winds its way north to East State Street, west to Wyman Street, and then south to the reviewing stand in front of the E. J. Zeke Giorgi Center, 200 S. Wyman St., Rockford. Bring your chairs and enjoy the festivities!Find all the details for these events and more: https://rockfordbuzz.com/events

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Grab Lunch or Dinner To Go at Wong Wong Chinese Restaurant

Love Chinese food? Have you visited Rockford’s best kept secret for take-out? It’s time to try Wong Wong Chinese Restaurant if you haven’t yet.Our household loves Chinese take-out, so when a friend told us about Wong Wong, we knew we needed to make the trip to 3703 Auburn St.We decided to try the classic take-out dish, chicken fried rice, along with house specialty Wong Wong’s Crown and the Pu Pu Platter appetizer sampler.When the house can’t decide which appetizer to order, turn to the Pu Pu Platter. You get two each of egg rolls, fried shrimp, fried wontons, and crab ragoons. Everyone gets a little bit of everything or just what they want! I am an avid user of soy sauce, so imagine my family’s surprise when I dug into the chicken fried rice and found that the flavor was so perfectly balanced, that I never touched my soy sauce. The chicken was cooked thoroughly and was still juicy. Loaded with all the delicious veggies that accompany fried rice, this would have been a filling meal for us alone, but we aren’t quitters.Next up was Wong Wong’s Crown: shrimp, scallops, chicken, beef, book chow, broccoli, pea pods, mushrooms, water chestnuts, and carrots in a delicious sauce and served with steamed rice. The flavor on this was light and fresh. The vegetables stayed crisp and the scallops and shrimp were cooked perfectly. I will absolutely be ordering this again!We ended our meal with the almond cookies and a plan to order again soon! Do yourself a favor and pick up Wong Wong’s for your next night in.

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The Orchards Are Open!

It's almost Fall y'all! And the first sign is the opening of our local apple orchards! Whether you want to just swing by and grab a bag and go, or you want to experience apple picking firsthand, these apple orchards are the perfect spot for fall family fun.Curran's Orchard6385 Kilburn Ave, Rockford, IL 61101Edward's Apple Orchard7061 Centerville Rd, Poplar Grove, IL 61065Edward's Apple Orchard West8218 Cemetery Rd, Winnebago, IL 61088Valley Orchard811 E State St, Cherry Valley, IL 61016

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Ritchie's Smokin' BBQ

Nothing says summer like smoking and grilling meats! That’s why we ventured out to Ritchie’s Smokin’ BBQ for a sample of their best flavors.They specialize in smoked brisket and smoked pull pork, and are also the home of the BBQ Brisket Pizza. Now, I never say no to pizza, so the decision was pretty easy to make here. We ordered the Brisket dinner (the best way to sample all of the sides!) and of course, the brisket pizza.The brisket pizza did not disappoint! Fluffy crust with a bbq sauce base, and loaded with brisket and fresh cheese was the pizza I didn’t know I’d been missing my whole life. Available in personal and shareable sizes, we highly recommend this flavor experience. The cheese was generously applied and dipping each bite in extra bbq sauce made this meal fun for all ages.If you want to try it all, grab the brisket dinner! A huge pile of shredded brisket, drizzled with bbq sauce is served with baked beans, Mac and cheese, corn bread, and coleslaw. Easily shareable, you won’t go home hungry id you choose this meal! The beans had almost a sweet flavor, and were loaded with pieces of pork. The classic macaroni and cheese was melty and velvety. The generous piece of cornbread is loaded with kernels of corn and is so moist (sorry) and delicious. Once you make your way through the sides, you still have a solid serving of brisket to sample. Smoked to perfection, this brisket is excellent with or without sauce!As we move into fall, keep summer alive in your stomach by visiting Ritchie’s Smoking’ BBQ!

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Sippin' With Suffragists

Tuesday, August 235:00 - 7:00pmUniversity Club of Rockford945 N. Main St. If you have not yet visited the Rockford Women’s Suffrage Plaza, please treat yourself to a visit sometime soon. The Plaza is located on the east bank of the Rock River, at 200 Y Blvd. in Rockford, next door to the YMCA’s Log Lodge. You will see the beautiful three-sided tower dedicated to women’s suffrage and civil rights, seated on a base of “foundational women” who helped shape our culture in many areas and disciplines. The tower is surrounded by six beautiful mosaic benches that celebrate Rockford locations. This is a magnificent monument, the first in northern Illinois, that honors women’s creativity and leadership in such a bold and outstanding way. Now that the Plaza is complete, we are very close to fully funding an endowment that will permanently oversee maintenance of this historic site. To help with that final fundraising push, we invite you to attend a delightful event, “Sippin’ With Suffragists.” Please spread the word and bring your friends. You might even meet Jane Addams herself that night! Proceeds will go towards the endowment for preservation of the Rockford Women’s Suffrage Plaza and educational materials .To learn more about the plaza go to Rockford Suffrage Plaza | Rockford Suffrage Plaza

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Weekend Roundup: August 19 - August 21

Happy weekend, Rockford! We are still in fair season, and fall and spooky season are on the horizon. Stop out to the Winnebago County Fair happening all weekend long, and check out all the amazing events in the 815.FridayThe Pickin Chicks are in the middle of their massive 3 day sale. A huge home filled with amazing finds, just waiting for you to explore. David Blanco, owner of Blanco Cigars will be at the Strike the Box Pipes & Cigars lounge from 5pm to 9pm. There will be cigar specials, pizza from Frankie's Pizza, Whiskey samples from Barnstormer Distillery, and more!SaturdayHaunted Rockford Paranormal Events and Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens are proud to present the 2022 Illinois Paranormal Conference. Join speakers and vendors from all aspects of Paranormal Research. Advanced registration is required: www.hauntedrockford.com.Join the Tommy Corral Memorial Foundation on their 9th Annual Ride to Fight Suicide. The cost is $20 per ride (Bike/Jeep/Car/Etc.), and it goes directly to The Tommy Corral Memorial Foundation to fight suicide in OUR community.Registration: 10 AM to 11 AMat Kegel Harley-DavidsonSummer's last hurrah!! Celebrate the end of another beautiful summer in true Tawdry Toast style! Come enjoy local art, live music, retro videos games, vintage collectables and frozen treats!!!SundayThe Poplar Grove Airport and Vintage Wings and Wheels Museum annual fly-in is back! Enjoy food trucks, explore the museum, take a ride in a plane, and fall in love with aviation!The Live at Levings Talent Show Finale is this Sunday! Enjoy snacks from TNT Funnel Cakes and enjoy the show.Find all the details for these events and more: https://rockfordbuzz.com/events

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Dinner at Fiesta Tequila Bar and Grill

This one was a new taste for us! We visited Fiesta Tequila Grill and Bar on Riverside for a delicious dinner and an amazing experience.When you walk in, the atmosphere welcomes you with bright colors in a rustic setting. Seats are available at the bar, or in the dining room. You are greeted with warm tortilla chips and incredibly flavorful salsa. It isn’t spicy, but packs a flavor punch that will have you asking for a refill! I also want to give kudos to the staff. They were incredibly helpful and attentive and made the experience even better.They offer a HUGE menu, truly something for everyone. Once we narrowed it down, we selected a couple dishes: Grande Special - 1 enchilada, 1 burrito, 1 bean tostada, 1 chili relleno, and 1 taco served with rice and beans. These were served with ground beef, but upgrades are available to your meat of choice.Chile Poblano Cancun - 1 traditional Mexican poblano, peppers stuffed with cheese, dipped in egg batter and deep fried topped with ranchera sauce, chorizo, choice of sliced grilled ribeye steak or chicken served with rice, beans and choice of corn or flour tortillas.I must say, I cannot recommend the Chile Poblano Cancun enough! The chorizo was a unique flavor, almost a hint of sweetness. The steak was seasoned so deliciously that it has left me craving a return visit. Cut up all the pieces and put it together in a tortilla? Absolutely wonderful. You will not regret ordering this meal!The Grande Special is perfect for anyone who can’t decide what to order. A little bit of everything is plated and presented to you. I can’t compliment the seasoning and flavor of the meat enough. Sometimes ground beef can be a little boring, but not at Fiesta Tequila! The flavor was stunning, and the veggies were crisp and fresh. The tostada came out crisp, and the sauce on the enchilada almost made me lick the plate!We look forward to our next trip! See you there, Rockford!

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Weekend Roundup: August 12 - August 14

It’s Rockford Day weekend! The official Rockford Day isn’t until Monday, but lots of local businesses are kicking the celebration off early. Grab your family and spread your Rockford pride!FridayIn case you missed it, the Boone County Fair has been in full swing all week! This weekend is your last chance to enjoy the fair. We tested the rides, and sampled the funnel cakes for you already. Rock River Valley Blood Center is calling all Rockford donors to celebrate our community by giving blood! Stop out at the Downtown or Perryville Donor Centers to donate blood between Friday, August 12 - Monday, August 15th and you'll be entered to win one of FIVE dinner-for-two vouchers valued at $50 from Baker Street Burgers or Salamone's North! Three RRVBC gift baskets will be given away as well! Call (815) 965-8751 or visit rrvbc.org to schedule your appointment.SaturdayJoin Lallygag Boutique as they celebrate our city! They are celebrating Rockford Day on Saturday with special sales and giveaways in store!Rockford Day is also happening on Saturday at Hidden Treasures Mall & Antiques. Stop in all day for great deals! They will also have a full display presented by Rockford Made it with vintage and more items made within Rockford. There will also be a large display of Rockford made items for sale. Then from 2-3pm Gary will be here for an informal chat about all things Rockford! Bring your items, and your questions and he’ll be there to help and answer any questions or just reminisce! Miracle Mile Rockford is celebrating local manufacturing for Rockford Day this year by hosting another outdoor movie. They will be showing the action-packed film First Man, an Apollo 11 story of the first man on the moon mission. As the Rockford area has a rich history making contributions to many space missions, they thought this would be a great way to celebrate our awesome city and highlight some local manufacturing companies at the same time! SundayJoin the dinosaurs at The Pottery Lounge for an afternoon of painting, treats, discounts, and fun. They are partnering with Hero Party Patrol, who will bring "Mama" Val, an 8' tall, 13' long Utahraptor dinosaur, along with one of her babies, for painters to meet and interact with. Don't worry - they're specially trained not to bite!Find all the details for these events and more: https://rockfordbuzz.com/events

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A Well Kept Secret at Backyard Grill & Bar

Have you stopped into Backyard Grill & Bar for dinner yet? Just off North 2nd Street in Loves Park, Backyard has a huge menu to satisfy any appetite and a big secret…We can’t lead right in with the secret, where would the fun be in that? But, we will start with a fact you may not know! The grills at Backyard Grill & Bar are all wood burning. There is a char and a flavor that only a wood burning flame can produce. Expect the amazing hickory flavors with every meal.Let’s start with the Henhouse. We ordered the Smothered Chicken: two 6oz chicken breasts are grilled and topped with mushrooms, onions, and Swiss cheese. I always find chicken to be the true test. It is so easy to serve dry. Grilled to perfection, the chicken breasts were juicy and flavorful. You get the select two sides, which makes this a very filling meal. Looking to get your veggies in but don’t want to be bored with the flavor? Come on down to Backyard. The veggies are steamed in garlic butter. You heard that right. Garlic. Butter. Now for the moment you have been waiting for. A well kept secret is that you can get amazing salmon at the Backyard Grill & Bar! A generous North-Atlantic filet is available grilled with classic Backyard seasoning or blackened. We highly recommend the blackened! The flavor was wonderful and the texture was spot on. If you enjoy salmon, you have to swing by Backyard Grill & Bar to try their king sized filet. Your choice of two sides makes this a feast you’ll crave.Special shout out to their kids menu. Lots of options, you can sub veggies for the fries, and each kid gets to head to the freezer and pick a novelty ice cream to end their meal with. To a kid, this little extra effort makes them feel special.Backyard Grill & Bar is perfect for your next family outing!

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Womanspace Online Auction

For almost 50 years, Womanspace has provided programming in the creative arts, holistic health, self-development and social activism for women of diverse socio-economic backgrounds. To raise the funds necessary to continue our work supporting and empowering women and serving our community, we are holding this online auction. Please consider bidding, and know that you are helping to promote women’s empowerment!https://www.charityauctionstoday.com/auctions/Womanspace-Online-Auction-33616

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Weekend Roundup: August 5 - August 7

There are a TON of events this weekend, Rockford. We couldn’t possibly contain it all in one weekend roundup. Check out these events, and then click through to the events calendar to see all the happenings this weekend!FridayFesta Italian is kicking off the weekend! Running Friday through Sunday, stop by the festival grounds at Boylan High School to join the annual celebration of the Italian community in Rockford. With music, food, and rides to enjoy, you could stay all weekend!SaturdayThe Dog Days of Summer Art Fair to benefit Kibble Korner Pet Food Pantry is this Saturday. Shop art from local artists (including an artistic dog!) and donate dog and cat food at this amazing event to benefit pets in our community.The Natural Living Expo is held annually by Rockford Crunchy Ladies to raise funds for their Scholarships and learning opportunities. This expo will showcase local businesses with natural, holistic, and sustainable living. Sharing the services, products, and activities that Rockford and the surrounding area have to offer our community.The Culture Shock Parking Lot Show is back! All proceeds from the event will be donated to The Rock & Roll Institute, who kicks off the show at 4:00pm. Come for the party, stay for the food trucks.SundayThe first Love Your Mental event is this Sunday. There are more options available than just the traditional therapy with a counselor, let's showcase them! A $2 entry fee at the door will be donated to National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for the Northern Illinois Region.Find all the details for these events and more: https://rockfordbuzz.com/events

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Dinner at Benny's

Franchesco’s is a popular destination for your special events and celebrations. We headed out for a celebratory dinner of our own!We started with an appetizer that is a Franchesco’s specialty, the Lamb Lollipops. Don’t let the name fool you, this savory dish is amazing opener to any meal. If you like lamb, we highly recommend this delicious dish. There are 5 mini rib chops, perfect for sharing. Tender and perfectly seasoned, lamb lovers will rejoice after enjoying this appetizer.I feel like I can’t move on from the appetizers without mentioning Franchesco’s bread. If you know, you know. If you don’t… go find out.When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When at Benny’s, you order the Steak Benny! Steak Benny is a sliced New York Strip with a dejonge crust and white wine cream sauce. Served with a vegetable and truffle potatoes. If you love butter with your steak, the Steak Benny is for you. The dejonge crust still had the crisp crunch, and the butter created a juicy, melt in your mouth steak. The truffle potatoes wreaked perfectly and seasoned perfectly. Leave the ketchup for the kiddos, you won’t need to change a thing about these potatoes. Give this namesake a try during your next dinner at Benny’s.No celebration is complete without dessert, so we ended our meal with their Almond Cake. A cousin to tiramisu, lady fingers and mascarpone cheese come together with a new twist bringing an almond and caramel dream to life. Big enough to share, this is a light and refreshing dessert sure to please the whole table.Celebrate your next milestone, or a good old fashioned Tuesday, at Franchesco’s!

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Free World Explorers Summer Arts Camp

Thanks to generous funding provided by Rockford Public School District’s “Live, Learn, Play” program, RAM is able to partner with Rockford Symphony Orchestra and Rockford Dance Company to present two, week-long camps for rising third graders in the RPS district. The ‘World Explorers Summer Arts Camp’ was created to connect students to rich and diverse musical and artistic communities. In these week-long summer camps, students will build fundamental artistic skills through creative art projects and listening, singing, and moving to songs from all over the world. Using cultural topics from Argentina, Native America, South Africa/Zulu, Columbia, and Armenia, students will gain confidence with new art forms and celebrate and create connections with these various cultures.REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!FREE, FUNDED BY RPS’ “LIVE, LEARN, PLAY” PROGRAMREGISTRATION REQUIRED, SPACE IS LIMITEDhttps://rockfordartmuseum.org/event/world-explorers-summer-arts-camp-2/

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Weekend Roundup: July 29 - July 31

We are staring down back to school season, and fall festivities are on the horizon, but summer isn’t over yet! Enjoy being outside this weekend, Rockford.FridayExplore Artourage, inside the creative space of Fatherless, an award-winning local print collective. Exclusive prints will be available for donation with contributions going directly to the Art’s Council’s local artist grants and art programs. Food trucks and a cash bar available!Lino’s is kicking off the first of its new music and movies series call Four Fridays. Admission is free, and the fun kicks off at 5:30pm. This week is Rockford Peaches Night with music by Miles Nielsen and Kelly Steward.SaturdayNever been kayaking before or maybe rented a kayak but wanted to learn more? Rocktown Adventures Introduction to Kayaking is the perfect opportunity to gain some knowledge and practicable skill for your next adventure. After this class you will be more efficient, confident, and knowledgeable with your paddling.Pig Minds Brewing Co. is hosting comedy night! The show starts at 7:30pm, but arrive early for a good seat. Admission is free!SundayCome - rain or shine - for special Sunday brunch food prepared by the staff at Prairie Street Brewing Co. topped off with a Bloody Mary bar. Adding to the whole experience will be music by Espinosa and Coffey. We'll have a ticket drop auction for great baskets. All proceeds support Family Counseling Services' mission to provide affordable, professional counseling services to children and adults.Find all the details for these events and more: https://rockfordbuzz.com/events

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National Chicken Wing Day at Baked Wings

A little birdy told us it is #NationalChickenWingDay! We obviously jumped on the opportunity to celebrate. I mean, do you really need an excuse to eat chicken wings? We didn’t think so…We headed over to The Pomodoro to enjoy their sister restaurant, Baked Wings. However, in a few short months, you will find Baked Wings at their new location on Riverside. Look for it in September!If you aren’t familiar with Baked Wings, they do things a little differently. They bake their wings naked and then spice it up with a variety of signature dust rubs. Add a side to make it a basket (you can add the rub dusts to these bad boys too) and you have a hearty meal perfect for your next game day… or any day. Step one, select drummies, paddles, combo, or tenders. We are team drummies over here! Step two, select your rub dust. We went a little crazy and picked 4 flavors: buffalo hot, garlic parmesan, chili lime, and honey barbecue. Step three, to basket or not to basket? Basket. We chose garlic parmesan cheese curds and breaded mushrooms, but they have a whole host of options for you to drool over. The best part of the rubs… less mess! No embarrassing t-shirt stains outing your lunchtime choices. The flavor doesn’t suffer though. I dove right into the buffalo hot and was pleasantly surprised by the heat. I love heat and sometimes I’m let down by other buffalo varieties. These bad boys definitely brought the heat! Next up was garlic parmesan, for the fancy wing connoisseur. The delicate balance of flavors makes these crave-able and a not to miss flavor. Chili Lime was not what I expected! A slight warmth with a sweet finish might have just pushed this flavor into my regular rotation. Honey BBQ was last, but certainly not least. They come out looking like a buffalo, but don’t be fooled! This bbq packs a punch and wasn’t overly sweet. Definitely a go-to flavor.Prefer a saucier experience? Never fear. Baked Wings offers plenty of dip choices, from the classic ranch and blue cheese to fancy flavors like bang bang sauce, which, for the record, you need to taste for yourself. It took those fried mushrooms to the next level.With sports on the TVs all day long, you can’t go wrong with Baked Wings at The Pomodoro!

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Plant Based with Pig Minds Brewing Co.

Pig Minds Brewing Co. is well known for its craft beer and fully vegan menu. We stopped by on a beautiful summer evening for dinner and drinks!One of us loves craft beer and one of us loves margaritas, and we were both very happy at Pig Minds Brewing Co. If you are a craft fan, spend some time sampling their home brews. There is something for every palette and they offer seasonal varieties as well. The full bar will keep you satisfied if beer isn’t your jam. So belly up and order your favorite drink.We have heard nonstop chatter about the vegan Macs and vegan pizzas, so we knew there was no option but to sample both. We like things spicy around here so we excitedly ordered the Buffalo Mac & Cheesy Bowl. This house-made Mac and cheeze comes with buffalo soy curls, carrot shreds, scallions, celery, buffalo sauce, and a house ranch drizzle. This was delicious and incredibly satisfying! The textures were spot on and the flavors were delicious. I would have never known the difference if we had not been at an exclusively vegan restaurant. If you love buffalo sauce, this needs to be in your rotation. Want a little more control? Wednesdays you can build your own Mac. Go crazy, you wild thing.Next up, pizza! We went with the “I’m Old School” sausage and mushroom pizza. The sausage was vegan, full of flavor, and generously spread. The vegetables on top were fresh, which makes them incredibly delicious! Stone fired, the crust has that crave-able crisp crust that is soft and fluffy inside. Gluten-free crust is also available! If you are not familiar with vegan fare and are worried about the taste, don’t be. This pizza is definitely worth a try. They have 9 pre-mades and an option to build your favorite pie.See you on the patio during our next visit!

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Mud Volleyball with KNIB

Fancy yourself a volleyball player? Down for a little friendly competition? Don't mind getting a little dirty? Do we have an event for you!The Infamous KNIB Mud Volleyball Tournament will be Saturday, August 6th at Riverside Park (100 River Street, Roscoe, IL 61073) starting at 8am.Grab your friends, your family, and your competitive edge and be ready to hit the court for this fundraiser that benefits our local community.Register your team here: https://www.mudvolleyballknib.org/home

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Weekend Roundup: July 22 - July 24

Baby goats, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo… Now that we have that song stuck in your head, get ready to eat, hike, and watch the stage this weekend, Rockford!FridayIt’s time for a summer favorite, Brat Days! Drive-thru, walk-up, or dine-in for a nostalgic summertime lunch. Entertainment is scheduled for lunch and dinner service so bring the whole office and family!It's 1979, and New York's hottest A-listers are lining up for the opening of a floating casino and discotheque. Also attending is a faded disco star, a sexy nightclub singer with her eleven-year-old twins, a disaster expert, a feminist reporter, an older couple with a secret, a pair of young guys who are looking for ladies, an untrustworthy businessman and a nun with a gambling addition. Find out what happens when Disaster! strikes on the Starlight Theatre stage at Rock Valley College. SaturdaySaturday is all about food trucks! Barnstormer Distillery kicks off the fun with Hector’s Cocina Food Truck at the tasting room from noon to 4:00 pm. Next up is the Chow Down Food Truck Festival. The festival kicks off at 2:00 pm and goes until 8:00 pm, so pace yourself and sample as many trucks as you can! Come hungry, leave happy.SundayHead up to Gretta’s Goats and enjoy a peaceful 1 mile hike around the farm and through the woods with their miniature goats! This 45-60 minute hike ends at the farm store stocked with seasonal cheeses, raw honey, goat milk soap, hand salve, and more.The Battle at Levings wraps up the weekend at 5:00 pm. Listen to great music by local artists, and watch local dancers defy gravity. This will be a tough one to judge, and an amazing viewing experience.Find all the details for these events and more: https://rockfordbuzz.com/events

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All the Classics at Mexico Clasico

Nothing like chips and salsa to bring people together, am I right? Add some delicious margaritas, some Mexican cuisine classics, and you’ve got yourself a pretty solid evening. Check out our experience at Mexico Clasico!One does not simply visit Mexico Clasico and forget to order the guacamole. The Guacamole Abuela is not just guacamole. It’s a culinary experience! They wheel the guacamole cart right to your table, and let you select the ingredients for your large molcajete of guacamole. Topped generously with fresh cheese, the flavor will have you coming back again and again just for the guacamole!If you somehow survived the salsa and guacamole with room in your stomach… be sure to explore their huge menu! Full of classic dishes, family recipes, and unique dishes, there is something for everyone.If you are like us and can’t decided what to try, just order enough food for a small baseball team and dig in!We sampled the Enchilada Suiza, Fajita Suiza, and the classic Chimichanga.Chimichangas are deep fried burritos, filled with a shredded meat of your choice, and covered in cheese dip. Served with rice and beans, this is a hearty meal! The shredded chicken had so much flavor! It was juicy and favorable and I honestly wanted to go back the next night to order it again. No dull, dry shredded chicken here.The Enchiladas Seizes are 3 corn tortillas filled with shredded chicken and covered in a creamy red sauce, more of that cheese dip, and topped with red peppers. This was served with black beans and rice. The red sauce and cheese dip combo was so velvety and delicious! The corn tortillas had that earthy flavor, making this dish a power packed hit to your taste buds. That shredded chicken again means this dish is sure to be a favorite!If you can believe that we still had room to eat more (we aren’t quitters!), we dug into the Fajitas Suiza next. This dish hosted a trio of meats: grilled chicken, steak, and shrimp. Everything was grilled with green peppers, onions, and tomatoes, and then smothered in cheese dip, glorious cheese dip. If building your own dinner is your thing, fajitas let you do just that. Add your rice, beans, and grilled goodness to your tortillas and munch away!Make sure to put Mexico Clasico on your regular dining rotation! Work your way through their large menu, and don’t forget to order the guacamole!

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PERSONALIZED ECLIPSE LAGOON BRICKS

The Eclipse Lagoon has been a landmark in the community since the 1920s. Over the years, the lagoon has remained a popular spot for residents and visitors to gather. In the summer, many stroll along the lagoon on the way to the Rock River Recreation Path or Sinnissippi Park rose garden. In the winter, the lagoon often serves as an outdoor skating rink. The charming brick patio on the north side of the Eclipse Lagoon is a wonderful way to memorialize a loved one, celebrate an anniversary, honor your family name, or share a special memory. Those investing in a lagoon brick will help further the mission of the Rockford Park District Foundation to support the Rockford Park District’s programs and services for the communities of the Rockford area.Each 7"x 9" brick can have five lines of engraving with a 12-character limit per line, and are available for a $250 donation. Bricks are placed in the spring and fall; a limited quantity of bricks will be sold.To order and purchase bricks, visit www.rpdfoundation.org/eclipse-lagoon-bricks/, or the Rockford Park District Foundation office in the Webbs Norman Center, 401 S. Main Street, Rockford, IL. For additional information or questions, contact the Rockford Park District Foundation Donor Relations Coordinator at 815-987-1632, or email lisagrigoletti@rockfordparkdistrict.org.

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Page 6 | Positive Stories & Articles | Rockford IL

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All the Classics at Mexico Clasico

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PERSONALIZED ECLIPSE LAGOON BRICKS

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PERSONALIZED ECLIPSE LAGOON BRICKS

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