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Oct. 26-Nov. 1, 2011
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Volume 19, No. 1
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A
The Voice of the Community since 1987
Locally owned and operated
Inside
Commentary – A11
128 N. Church St., Rockford, Illinois 61101
www.rockrivertimes.com
Online Exclusives at rockrivertimes.com
Children’s Halloween party at Discovery Center Oct. 29
Tips for ensuring a safe, fun, injury-free Halloween
Chamber Orchestra Kremlin at Rockford College Oct. 28
Halloween parade, costume contest at Edgebrook Oct. 29
Timber Lake screens Rocky Horror Picture Show Oct. 29
Literacy Council begins volunteer tutor workshop Nov. 1
Daily news updates, searchable archives and other exclusive content available online at rockrivertimes.com.
Rockford News
What is reality TV
teaching our young girls?
Vibe – B1
Block 5 Halloween Bash
set for Oct. 29 downtown
Vitality – C1
Week 8 NFL predictions:
Patriots & Cowboys to win
Home & garden – D1
Habitat for Humanity
home to be dedicated
Index
Section A:
News
! Commentary — A1-A2, A5, A10,-A11
! Letters to the Editor — A10
! News — A1-A12
! Obituary Notices — A3
! People in Our Times — A3
! Renewable Energy — A1, A11
! Worship Guide — A8
Section B:
Vibe Entertainment
! Crossword — B7
! TV Listings — B7
! Vibe Calendars — B2-B6
! Vibe News — B1-B8
Section C:
Vitality
! Health — C2
! Naturally Rockford — C 2
! Outdoors — C2
! Sports — C1, C3, D24
Section D:
By Richard S. Gubbe
Contributing Writer
A press release from the Illinois
Environmental Protection Agency
(IEPA) was issued last week and
revealed that four wells on
Rockford’s west side were found to
have high levels of volatile organic
chemicals (VOCs) in their water.
“Benzene contamination and
other chemicals typically found in
fuels such as gasoline were discovered in private wells in June 2011
on Soper Avenue and Alliance Avenue north of Auburn Street and
west of Central Avenue in the
area on three occasions during
June, August and September after being informed of fuel-like
odors from private well water. The
IEPA originally notified The Rock
River Times that the agency would
collect water samples indepenContinued on page A5 !
Welcome to Rockford Park District’s newest
facility, Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens
Staff Report
Oct. 29, the Rockford Park District opens the doors to a brandnew facility, Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, 1354 N. Second
St., Rockford. The Park District
invites you to join them for a grand
opening weekend, to help celebrate this wonderful addition to
our community!
About the Conservatory
Situated along the banks of our
beautiful Rock River in Sinnissippi
Gardens, Nicholas Conservatory
& Gardens brings the tropics to
the Midwest. The entire facility
will be the third-largest conservatory in Illinois with a total of 22,000
square feet and at the highest point
will stand 52 feet. A tropical setting includes an 11,000-squarefoot plant exhibition area complete
with water features, seating areas
and sculptures, all in a tropical
plant setting.
In early 2004, the Rockford Park
District Board of Commissioners
selected Sinnissippi Park as the
site for a centerpiece project for
the District’s 100-year anniversary celebration. Sinnissippi Park
was the first land purchased by
the newly-formed Rockford Park
District in 1909.
Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens is named after the Nicholas
family, who in March 2006 anContinued on page A8 !
Photo provided
Rockford now has its own modern conservatory to attract visitors who enjoy facilities like the United States Botanic Garden in
Washington, D.C., and the Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago. Gracing the shore of the Rock River at Sinnissippi Gardens and
Park (built in 1909), this fine facility is a fitting tribute to 100 years of the Rockford Park District and the beautiful largesse of the
Nicholas family in memory of William and Ruby Nicholas. The tropics have come to our lagoon. Visit soon and enjoy.
Renewable Energy
Winnebago County News
Opinion of county’s
asphalt plant emissions
expert differs from OSHA
Guest Column
Photo by Dr. Sonia Vogl
Lidkoping, Sweden’s bioenergy central heating plant.
128 N. Church St.
Rockford, IL 61101
northwest portion of Rockford,” the
release stated.
The IEPA release said the
Winnebago County Health Department (WCHD) and the Illinois Department of Public Health
(IDPH) worked together to collect
samples from private wells in the
Rockford News
PRSRT STD
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 397
Rockford, IL
Home & Garden
! Classifieds — D3-D6
! Home & Garden — D1, D22-D23
! Horoscopes — D23
! Public Notices — D7-D16
! Real Estate — D2-D3
! Real Estate Notices — D16-D21
IEPA releases well contamination information
Belief in global warming
drives Europe’s economy
By Drs. Robert & Sonia Vogl
President and Vice President
Illinois Renewable Energy Association
While many Americans still
deny global warming, or at least
listen acceptingly to those who do,
Europeans believe it exists and
are taking action to counter it.
According to Jurgen Lefevere,
Continued on page A11 !
! Correspondence
between Tom and Billie D.
Mills and Winnebago
County Board Chairman
Scott Christiansen
By Tom & Billie D. Mills
September 22, 2011
Dear Mr. Christiansen:
We are writing to you to express
our opposition to the asphalt plant
in the East State quarry!
As 21-year residents of a 6.5acre estate adjoining the quarry
on the north, we have paid over
$200,000 in real estate taxes, and
now an asphalt plant would destroy our property values and qual-
ity of life.
As a pharmacist, I testified before
the ZBA that I had done much research on the effects of asphalt fumes.
I told the ZBA I would not bore the
board with the reports since the
reports led me to the Department of
Labor’s Occupational Safety &
Health Administration (OSHA)
website that summarizes the effects
of asphalt fumes.(www.osha.gov/
SLTC/asphaltfumes/index.html)
To quote: Health effects from exposure to asphalt fumes include headache, skin rash, sensitization, fatigue,
reduced appetite, throat and eye irritation, cough, and skin cancer.
The ZBA stated they would only
consider testimony from expert
witnesses, not information from
the Internet.
Dr. Brown, a toxicologist (the
Continued on page A11 !
The Rock River Times has been leading area media in Renewable Energy and green news coverage since 2002.
2
A
The Rock River Times
News/Commentary
Oct. 26-Nov. 1, 2011
Downtown developer, Mark
Asphalt plant: Business and ethics?
Baker, passes from heart attack Guest Column
Rockton Mayor Dale Adams, or anyone in
the Nicolosi Law Firm. As a businessman,
Mark A. Baker, 55, of Shirland, Ill. died he could restore a bathtub Porsche, a VictoFriday Oct. 21, 2011, in Rockford Memo- rian apartment or a collapsing brick building, with high-quality work and at a profit.
rial Hospital.
Born March 31, 1956, in Oak Park, Ill. the He just worked very hard and quietly, never
son of Mr. and Mrs. James and Velma seeking the spotlight; in fact, he avoided it.
(Mirabelli) Baker. Mark has lived 20 years I admired him. Both of us have been known
in Shirland, Ill. coming from Oak Park, Ill. to be ornery and disillusioned at times.
He is the owner of Sports and Specialty, Living with the system around here, guess
Inc., and managing member of Urban Eq- why. I had fun arguing and trading insults
uity Properties in Rockford, Ill. He is a with him too infrequently, and I will miss
his sharp wit. He had a great grin.
member of Friends of Ziock (FOZ).
“His departure is a great loss for the area;
FOZ’s Don Bissell wrote: “FOZ has lost an
however, he mentored Jusenthusiastic and meticutin Fern from when Fern
lous worker, a charter
was only 15 and taught
‘friend [of Ziock]’ and a
him well,” Schier added. “I
good friend Friday
saw and I’m sure that
evening. Mark Baker was
Mark had great faith in
not only thoroughly dediJustin and his sons, Jack
cated to our cause, he was
and Zach. Those young
heading up the Marketmen will do very well moving Team and spending
ing forward Mark’s legacy
untold hours crafting the
and dreams.”
marketing materials as
Fern and Baker rewe prepare to go ‘live’ with
stored or are restoring
our campaign.
many buildings down“Not only that, we’ve
town, including: 321 W.
learned within the last
Jefferson, lofts and comfew hours that, unbemercial space; 110-112 N.
knownst to us, he’d reFirst St., lofts and comcruited a cadre of his famPhoto provided
mercial space; 327 W.
ily members to help.
Mark A. Baker, 55, of Shirland died
Jefferson St., MSG
Kathy and son Zach not
Friday, Oct. 21, 2011, in Rockford
Graphic II Building/
only knew of Mark’s pasMemorial Hospital.
Adriatic Night Club; 317
sion for the downtown, but
had been lending a hand behind the scenes.” Market St., art galleries and lofts; 408-414
Survivors include sons: Zachary M. E. State St., Metropolitan Hall Project; 1270
(Melinda) Baker of Rockton, Ill., Jackson N. Main St., El Dorado Apartments; several
T. Baker of Shirland, Ill.; granddaughter two-flat apartments in the North End area,
Alaina Baker and one to come; Kathryn as well as commercial and residential propBaker of Shirland, Ill.; long-time busi- erties in the South Beloit area.
Fern said of Baker: “His passing is a huge
ness partner Justin Fern. Predeceased
loss to the downtown development. He’s the
by parents.
Rockton Township Trustee and political most honest and loyal person I’ve ever done
activist Dean Mohring said of Baker: “A business with. He was a great friend and
man of integrity. A high-quality individual mentor. Urban Equities will continue to
with business acumen, interested in gov- develop the downtown area.”
Funeral ceremonies to be held at 11 a.m.
ernment that was not corrupt. A very good
Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011, in McCorkle Fufriend who I’ll sorely miss.”
“Baker’s parents would have been very neral Home, 767 N. Blackhawk Blvd., Rockton,
proud of him, as are his friends,” said The Ill., with Pastor Cory Williams of Central
Rock River Times’ Editor & Publisher Frank Christian Church in Beloit, Wis., officiating.
Schier. “He had real character and courage. Burial will be in Shirland Township CemHe wasn’t afraid to stand up to anyone and etery. A visitation will be held at the funeral
call them on the carpet. Even his opponents home from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26. A
respected him. Ask Rep. Dave Winters, memorial is being established.
Mark A. Baker
March 31, 1956-Oct. 21, 2011
ROMA BAKERY
523 Marchesano Dr. • 964-6737
Tues.–Fri. 6 a.m.–5:30 p.m. • Sat. 6 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sun. 6 a.m.–12:00 • Closed Monday
We accept Illinois Link
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Cannoli—Rum Custard—
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By Nichole Larison Sammon
requirements and specifications, and are
delivered right on schedule.
“Our suppliers can partner with us
knowing that we strive to build long-lasting
relationships based on a strong sense of
responsibility and a shared desire to best
serve our customers.
“Our communities can feel secure that
we are good corporate citizens who are interested, first and foremost, in enhancing their
quality of life with a clean environment and
responsible management.
“Our employees can feel confident that
we will never discriminate by race, color,
religion, ancestry, national origin, age,
veteran’s status, handicap, gender, marital
status, sexual preference, or political or
union affiliations.”
Fox Ridge Subdivision resident
I know many of you have followed my
frequent guest columns concerning the proposed asphalt plant in the East State Street
quarry. Yes, it is true, the asphalt plant
will be in my back yard, but I am not
fighting because it is in my back yard. I am
fighting because of the circumstances surrounding that fact.
William Charles didn’t come to the table
with a first-class plan. The county representatives didn’t meet the residents with openness and a sense of working for the residents
of this county. Instead, we were met with
arrogance and inauspicious interactions
Winnebago Landfill ethics statement
from our elected of“A strong dedicaficials and a shorttion to ethics fuels
sighted bargainour growth at the
basement plan from
Rock River EnviWilliam Charles.
ronmental Services
Business and ethorganization and
ics are not words norguides everything
mally found in the
we do. We conduct
Three electronic billboards in town
same sentence, nor
every aspect of our
now show the messages “No asphalt
with politics, but
business within the
plant in the East State Street
they should be. We
highest standards
Quarry” and adding an adoption
expect our elected ofof legal and ethical
from an EPA poster mentioning asficials to operate in
integrity.
phalt as a hazardous chemical, “if
an ethical manner in
“Our customers
you burn it, you breathe it, you smell
office, and we expect
can depend on supeit — no asphalt plant.”
businesses to operrior products and serThe billboard locations are: East
ate in an ethical manvices that meet or
State Street by NIU, State Street
ner in our society. In
exceed requirements
between Mulford and Alpine, and
looking at William
and specifications,
Perryville by Menards and the
Charles, website,
and are delivered
CherryVale Mall.
William Charles
right on schedule.
seems to have a
“Our suppliers
strong ethical mescan partner with us
sage for us all to read.
knowing that we strive to build long-lasting
William Charles Ltd. ethics statement
relationships based on a strong sense of
“A strong dedication to ethics fuels our responsibility and a shared desire to best
growth at the William Charles organiza- serve our customers.
tion and guides everything we do. We
“Our communities can feel secure that
conduct every aspect of our business we are good corporate citizens who are
within the highest standards of legal and interested, first and foremost, in enhancethical integrity.
ing their quality of life with a clean envi“Our customers can depend on superior ronment and responsible management.
products and services that meet or exceed
“Our employees can feel confident that
requirements and specifications, and are we will never discriminate by race, color,
delivered right on schedule.
religion, ancestry, national origin, age,
“Our suppliers can partner with us veteran’s status, handicap, gender, marital
knowing that we strive to build long-last- status, sexual preference, or political or
ing relationships based on a strong sense of union affiliations.”
responsibility and a shared desire to best
The Winnebago County Board has an
serve our customers.
ordinance that spells out the rules around
“Our communities can feel secure ethics and gifts.
that we are good corporate citizens who
No officer or employee shall intentionare interested, first and foremost, in en- ally solicit or accept any gift from any
hancing their qualprohibited source or
violation of any
ity of life with a
Based on what I have been able to in
federal or state statclean environment
and responsible verify in the public records, I ute, rule or regulamanagement.
believe this company of tion. This ban ap“Our employees companies does not deserve plies to and includes
spouses of and imcan feel confident
that we will never another benefit from our county. mediate family living with the officer
discriminate by
race, color, religion, ancestry, national ori- or employee. No prohibited source shall
gin, age, veteran’s status, handicap, gender, intentionally offer or make a gift that viomarital status, sexual preference, or politi- lates this chapter.
Ethics statements are only as strong as
cal or union affiliations.”
Quality message and well written, but is the people behind them. In the end, as
there, as they say, teeth behind it? During residents, we are left with only rumors.
the ZBA hearing, according to William Rumors are not trustworthy, but what is
Charles, the following companies are com- our alternative?
Based on what I have been able to
pletely separate entities. Rock River Environmental Services is the company from verify in the public records, I believe this
the Kilbuck Creek water pollution issues company of companies does not deserve
mentioned in The Rock River Times. another benefit from our county. This
Winnebago Landfill is the company the asphalt plant is not filling a public need.
IEPA sent a notice of intent to prosecute for This asphalt plant is not creating jobs
air pollution. Below are their websites’ our county so desperately needs. This
asphalt plant would destroy adjacent
ethics statements.
property owners’ “enjoyment of property,”
Rock River Environmental Services
which is a standard the special-use perethics statement
“A strong dedication to ethics fuels our mit must meet according to the
growth at the Rock River Environmental Winnebago County ordinances.
The question remains, will the Winnebago
Services organization and guides everything
we do. We conduct every aspect of our busi- County Board vote based on the Winnebago
ness within the highest standards of legal County Ordinances, or how their “friends”
want them to vote?
and ethical integrity.
Ask your Winnebago County Board
“Our customers can depend on superior
products and services that meet or exceed member to vote no!
East State Street
neighbors go BIG
with their message!
News
Oct. 26-Nov. 1, 2011
A
People In Our Times
Pope names Rockford priest to be bishop
Pope Benedict XVI has named Msgr. David Kagan, P.A., Vicar General of the Diocese of
Rockford and pastor of Holy Family Parish in Rockford, to be the seventh bishop of the Diocese of Bismarck, N.D. The appointment was
announced in Washington, D.C., Oct. 19 by the apostolic nunciature’s
office, and a press conference was held in Bismarck the same day.
Bishop-elect Kagan, 61, succeeds Bishop Paul A. Zipfel, 76, who
has served as the Bishop of Bismarck since 1997. In naming a successor, Pope Benedict also accepted Bishop Zipfel’s resignation from
the pastoral governance of the diocese, which he submitted at the
mandatory retirement age of 75.
In a statement to The Observer, the official Catholic newspaper
of the Diocese of Rockford, Bishop-elect Kagan said: “It is with profound gratitude to Almighty God and to our Holy Father, Pope
Benedict XVI, that I have been named to be the next Bishop of the
David Kagan
Diocese of Bismarck, North Dakota. I am humbled by our Holy
Father’s appointment, and I need and ask for prayers that I may
fulfill this new ministry after the Heart of Christ Jesus, the Eternal High Priest.”
After receiving word of the announcement, Bishop Thomas G. Doran said: “It is a great joy and
great compliment to the priests of the Diocese of Rockford that twice, in barely over a year and a
half, our priests have been chosen to be shepherds of other dioceses. Msgr. David Kagan has served
this diocese faithfully and fruitfully for all the years of his priesthood and, in my judgment, deserves the honor and responsibility of being the seventh bishop of Bismarck, North Dakota.
“Msgr. Kagan’s departure will be a loss to the Diocese of Rockford because he has been, for
the last 17 years, in administrative work for the diocese as Officials of the Tribunal, Chancellor, vicar general, moderator of the curia and associate publisher of The Observer,” Bishop
Doran said. “To lose a person that knowledgeable is, of course, a sacrifice. But as it was with
Bishop Timothy Doherty, we are happy. And the good people of Lafayette in Indiana and the
people of the Diocese of Bismarck have received from our priests, the best we have to offer. I
wish Msgr. Kagan and the people he will serve every blessing and happiness.”
New faces at Rockford Dance Company
As the search continues for artistic director at Rockford Dance Company (RDC), choreographers and teachers have been hired to prepare the upcoming productions. Jennifer Weber of Iowa City will be choreographing a new Nutcracker, and Robert McKee will be
developing Hansel & Gretel with the production team for a premier performance Jan. 28,
2012. New choreographers challenge the status quo, and RDC’s staff, dancers and parents are adapting with heroic efforts!
Weber has been involved in the dance
world for more than 20 years as an active
performer, choreographer and teacher. She
has performed extensively across the Midwest dancing with Omaha Theater Company
for Young People, Ballet Quad Cities, Ballet
Nebraska, Opera Omaha and the dance department at the University of Iowa. Weber
received her master’s of fine arts in dance Jennifer Weber (left) of Iowa City will be
with an emphasis on choreography from the choreographing a new Nutcracker, and Robert
University of Iowa. She has a passion for de- McKee (right) will be developing Hansel & Gretel.
veloping and implementing outreach programs, educating communities about dance and educating dancers about the unique qualities of their art form. This will be her first shot at choreographing a full-length Nutcracker.
McKee, a graduate of Point Park University and former company member of Giordano
Jazz Dance Chicago, has had an interest in teaching and choreography since a very young
age. Influenced by percussive rhythms and dynamic shapes, he finds himself always inspired to create. He is on faculty at the Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago, as well
as teaches all throughout the Chicagoland area. He has worked with The Giordano Project,
McDonald Dance Academy, Barrington High School, Northshore School of Dance Performing Ensemble, Giordano Juniors, the Giordano choreography showcase, Brookfield Riverside High School and Northern Illinois University.
Send your “Community news and notes” to The Rock River Times, ATTN: People In Our
Times, 128 N. Church St., Rockford, IL 61101; e-mail contact@rockrivertimes.com; call (815)
964-9767; or fax (815) 964-9825.
Obituary Notices
Loraine Brown, 54, Rockford, 10/14/11
Mary Esterlund, 69, Rockford, 10/14/11
Kathy Hughes, 59, Rockford, 10/14/11
Michelle Tegland, 46, Roscoe, 10/14/11
Ruth Lyddon, 100, Rockford, 10/14/11
Kenneth Peterson, 92, Rockford, 10/14/11
Janice Peters, 74, Rockford, 10/14/11
Diana Fry, 66, Rockford, 10/14/11
Earnestine Brownlow, 72, Rockford, 10/14/11
Ruby Mullins, 89, Rockford, 10/14/11
Mary Rice, 54, Rockford, 10/15/11
Dolores Fitzgerald, 79, Rockford, 10/15/11
James Holmin, 84, Rockford, 10/15/11
John Evans, 53, Rockford, 10/15/11
Eldon Gaston, 79, Rockford, 10/15/11
Tony Washington, 28, Rock Island Co., 10/15/11
Ivan Livingston, 46, Rockford, 10/16/11
James Williamson, 74, Rockton, 10/16/11
Arden Sargent, 94, Rockford, 10/16/11
Virgil Eads, 90, Rockford, 10/16/11
Sarah Keenon, 64, Rockford, 10/16/11
Valerie Schulz, 66, Rockford,
10/17/11
Mark Monroe, 55, Rockford,
10/17/11
Vivian Hedstrom, 95, Rockford, 10/18/11
Patricia Schmidt, 89, Rockford, 10/18/11
Paul Dahlstrom, 84, Rockford, 10/18/11
Sture Lindell, 91, Rockford,
10/18/11
Anthony Zawlocki, 95, Rockford, 10/18/11
Roger
Peaslee,
58,
Caledonia, 10/18/11
James Bowling, 84, Rockford, 10/18/11
Edwin Purfeerst, 89, Rockford, 10/18/11
Robert Kuhn, 86, Rockford, 10/18/11
Carl Curtis, 66, Rockford, 10/18/11
Paul Jentner, 85, Rockford, 10/19/11
Marc Rohr, 59, Rockford, 10/19/11
Barbara Kotz, 61, Rockford, 10/19/11
Nelma Blust, 84, Rockford, 10/19/11
Carter Bridges, 59, Rockford, 10/19/11
Eva Luster, 82, Rockford, 10/19/11
Eugene Morris, 75, Rockford, 10/19/11
Valeria Penca, 93, Rockford, 10/19/11
Maynard Gustafson, 81, Rockford, 10/19/11
Percy Jones, 88, Rockford, 10/19/11
Dwight Woodruff, 92, Rockford, 10/20/11
Pamela Coil, 51, Rockford, 10/2011
Theresa Alex, 87, Rockford, 10/20/11
Molly Young, 57, Rockford, 10/20/11
Susan Leander, 65, Rockford, 10/20/11
Christopher Nordenberg, 50, Rockford, 10/20/11
Robert Collalti, 62, Rockford, 10/20/11
3
T h e Vo i c e o f t h e C o m m u n i t y s i n c e 1 9 87
© Copyright 2011
Staff - The Rock River Times, Inc.
EDITOR & PUBLISHER
PUBLISHER:: Frank Schier | ASSISTANT EDITOR: Brandon Reid | COPY EDITOR/VIBE CALENDAR
CONTACT: Susan Johnson | SPORTS COLUMNISTS: Doug Halberstadt, Matt Nestor, Todd Reicher, S.C. Zuba |
PRODUCTION DESIGNER: Jeff Helberg | TYPESETTER: Jon Bystrom | ACCOUNTING MANAGER: Marilyn Lamar |
CLASSIFIEDS/CIRCULATION MANAGER: Jennifer Abel | ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER: Jody Marshall | ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVES: Jeanne Schaeffer, Nita Lasky
Locally owned and operated since 1987
ABOUT US
US:: The Rock River Times has a circulation of 22,000 free newspapers in the Rockford, Ill., metropolitan area by
Third Class mail and through more than 2,035 commercial outlets. The weekly newspaper, distributed every Wednesday,
has been in publication since 1987 and strives to be “The Voice of the Community.” Printed on recycled paper using soy ink.
SUBSCRIPTIONS: Bulk mail subscriptions are available for $27 for 26 weeks, or $42 per year, prepaid.
CONTACT US
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COPYRIGHT NOTICE: All material herein is the sole property of The Rock River Times. No reprint, reproduction or other use
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DEADLINES: News due Thursday by 4 p.m. Information for Community Calendar events due by noon Thursday for the
following Wednesday issue. Events are printed as space permits. Letters to the Editor should be 200 words or fewer, and
guest columns 500 words or fewer. Classifieds due Thursday by noon.
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AFFILIATIONS: The Rock River Times is a proud member of the following organizations:
0)&3
PLGZHVWIUHHFRPPXQLW\SDSHUV
Citizens Alert!
Rockford’s City Council voted to allow an
asphalt plant to be built in a quarry on
Charles Street inside the city limits. This
is outrageous!
PCVKQPCNCFXGTVKUKPIPGVYQTM
ROCKFORDSPACE.COM
CONDO/BUSINESS
ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME
OPPORTUNITY
WITH PARKING!!!!!
You Can Help
It makes no sense to put an air-polluting,
water-contaminating, traffic-impeding
asphalt plant in the middle of existing
neighborhoods of family homes. A lawsuit
has been filed against the City of Rockford
to stop this injustice. Donations are
needed to help fund the cost of this lawsuit.
Please send your donations, if
you agree with this injustice, to:
NETS
P.O. Box 5124 • Rockford, IL 61125
For information:
• Clare Merwin—815-398-1653
• Alec Kaplanes—815-399-1027
www.stopasphalt.org
Cedar & Churc
h —Think New
Church
and
Amtrak Station
Courthouse
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Call today 815-979-0789
4
A
Oct. 26-Nov. 1, 2011
News
City of Rockford announces
Trick-or-Treat hours
Staff Report
One of the favorite holidays for children is quickly approaching. If you
look out your windows, you will soon
be able to see witches, ghosts, goblins, and movie and cartoon
characters galore. The following tips for the City of
Rockford can help children experience a safe
and fun Halloween:
! Trick-or-Treat hours
in the City of Rockford
will be on Monday, Oct.
31, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
!Outside lights should
be left on for everyone’s
safety. Flashlights also
help a great deal with safety
and visibility.
! Caution should be used
when carving pumpkins, so don’t leave
children unsupervised with knives. Remember that open flames can be dangerous indoors or outdoors anywhere near
where people will be walking.
Trick-or-Treaters are
urged to wear light-colored
clothing or reflective tape
to be more visible. Costumes that are non-flammable, easy to walk in,
and with unobstructed
vision (large eye openings) are advised. Parents or other adults are
urged to accompany
children if at all possible.
For any safety questions, contact Rockford
Police Department Sgt.
Patrick Hoey at (815) 987-5941.
Commentary/News
Oct. 26-Nov. 1, 2011
A
5
IEPA releases well
Closing Dixon’s Mabley
contamination information
affects Rockford
Guest Column
By Ron & Carole Bergman
that the present editorial did not address.”
The following was today presented by
Lonnie Johns regarding the closing of the
Jacksonville Development Center.
Jacksonville Coalition to Save Our State Facilities
Closing JDC is a very serious matter
This is a local news topic because RockIllinois should make individual decisions
ford residents have family members at for individuals with disabilities needing care.
Mabley in Dixon and other state-operated Eliminating one option for care violates
facilities for the developmentally disabled, their rights and the rights of their parents
including Singer. We are struggling to avoid and guardians.
the closing of Mabley, as are familes of
Not even the Illinois Department of Huresidents in the other facilities that are man Services (DHS) claims that the individutargeted to close.
als at Jacksonville Developmental Center
We need your help.
(JDC) can be immediately moved, but instead
The state’s side has been presented nu- has testified that Illinois “must develop new
merous times, in numerous direct and indi- services” whose costs cannot be quantified.
rect ways. We would like for your readers
In DHS’s own 2010 study, 55 people died
and viewers to clearly hear our side.
after Lincoln Developmental Center was closed,
My son is a Mabley resident; I live in out of a total of 164 who died after leaving all 10
Rockford and am one of many parents of developmental centers from 2001 to 2008. LinMabley residents vigorously working to over- coln had 363 of the total of 1480 who left.
come Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn’s decision to
Lincoln had 24 percent of those who left,
close Mabley. A public committee meeting but 33 percent of the deaths. Closing JDC is
was held a couple weeks ago providing com- a very serious matter.
munity input regarding the closing of Singer,
Individuals with multiple disabilities, inanother of the facilities the governor has cluding very significant intellectual disabilichosen to close, and another was held last ties, sometimes have intensive and complex
week in Dixon regarding the closing of Mabley. medical and behavioral needs for 24-hour
Barb Cozzone, a resident of Cherry Valley, medical care and other very specialized care
heads the Mabley parents group struggling to for the protection of themselves and others.
protect our family members from being moved
Some who say they are advocates for indifrom the well-run, efficiently-operated, small- viduals with disabilities have issued an Advocomunity-type (CILA) Mabley Center. She is cacy Toolkit on Institutional Closures. It asks
the mother of two Mabley residents, both of if parents should have a choice, and it says:
whom have been rejected numerous times by “No. None of us, whether we have a disability
the private facilities the governor intends to or not, has unlimited choices in life.”
utilize to house and “properly care for” resiThis directly contradicts the U.S. Sudents of Illinois’ closed facilities. My son also preme Court in the Olmstead decision, which
has been rejected
these same advoby the privately- My son is a Mabley resident; I cates say requires
owned facilities bethe closure of the
cause they admit- live in Rockford and am one of Jacksonville Develted they are not many parents of Mabley opmental Center.
equipped to ad- residents vigorously working to
What are the acequately care for him.
tual words in the
overcome
Gov.
Quinn's
decision
Below is an offerOlmstead decision?
ing from others and to close Mabley ...
Olmstead
reLonnie Johns, a
quires a community
member of the Jacksonville Coalition to Save setting ONLY “when the State’s treatment
Our State Facilities. Jacksonville is another professionals have determined that comof the facilities on the closed list, and their munity placement is appropriate, the transcommunity meeting is this week. These com- fer from institutional care to a less restricments appear to also be applicable to both of tive setting is not opposed by the affected
our local facilities, Singer and Mabley.
individual, and placement can be reasonRon Bergman wrote to the Tribune: “... ably accommodated, taking into account
Moving most of these residents is a trau- the resources available to the State and the
matic event most of us gifted to not require needs of others with mental disabilities.”
this level of care will never understand. Once
So, how can some advocates say that
inflicted upon these people, those traumas Olmstead requires JDC to close?
are not as easily hurdled by them as it would
They are doing exactly what Supreme Court
be for you or me. It typically takes years for Justices Anthony Kennedy and Stephen Breyer
many of these people to overcome the type of warned against in 1999 in a concurring opinion
trauma moving inflicts. To believe ‘they will as part of the majority in Olmstead:
get through it’ is woefully misguided.
“It would be unreasonable, it would be a
“May I ask that the Tribune tell the other tragic event, then, were the Americans with
side of the story? Tell the story about the Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) to be interfact that Mabley is a CILA-type facility (a preted so that States had some incentive for
facility that offers a ‘small neighborhood fear of litigation, to deprive those in need of
group home’ environment) and meets or medical care and treatment out of appropriexceeds the capability of private CILAs to ate care and into settings with too little
meet these residents’ needs, by those facili- assistance and supervision.”
ties’ own admission in rejecting Mabley’s
Justice Kennedy is usually the swing vote
residents numerous times.
on the Supreme Court, and Justice Breyer
“Tell the story of the parents, guardians is one of the more liberal justices. Illinois
and family members who are struggling to should heed their warning.
protect the best care many of these Mabley
Many of the individuals at JDC have been
residents have ever had.
rejected by those operating Community In“Tell the story of the high praise the tegrated Living Arrangements (CILAs) or
parents and guardians, those who know have been expelled from CILAs. CILA staff
Mabley residents best, give the facilities is not adequately trained, sufficiently suand staff of Mabley. Respect their ability to pervised, or able to provide the medical and
judge what type of facility is best for their behavioral services needed.
sons, daughters, loved ones. Report the fact
Earnest’s son, Carl, was in two private
that the Mabley staff, whether they be placements. In the first, he was put on so
AFSCME members or not, have demon- many medications that he hardly functioned.
strated day after day, week after week, In the second, he wandered off so often he
month after month, year after year, that was asked to leave. Carl then went to the
they are more than mere union-members Lincoln Developmental Center.
doing a job protected by a union contract,
At Lincoln, he slowly improved and began
that the Mabley staff members working to learn sign language. But then, Lincoln
with the residents are genuinely invested in was to close. In less than a year, Carl was
providing the highest level of good care moved five times to a different room or a
anyone could possibly hope for.
different building.
“Tell the story of who these professionals
In 2002, Carl moved to JDC. Now, he
are, deep within their personalities. Tell the actively uses sign language. He has learned
story that many of these AFSCME members personal grooming skills. Carl does not speak
would choose Mabley for their own children if and is severely brain damaged, but Carl has
they were in the position of having to deter- a roommate, and Carl has a home.
mine the best for their family member.
As U.S. Supreme Court Justices Kennedy
“Tell the story of the groundswell of and Breyer stated in Olmstead: “In light of
Mabley’s parents’ voices, struggling to be these concerns, if the principle of liability
heard above nauseous rhetoric of the Spring- announced by the Court is not applied with
field political crowd, that keep saying ‘Keep caution and circumspection, States may be
Mabley open. It is everything the governor pressured into attempting compliance on the
and Mr. Paulaski of ARC have stated they cheap, placing marginal patients into intedesire for these Illinois citizens.’
grated settings devoid of the services and
“Readers have the ability to identify the attention necessary for their conditions.”
whole truth if both sides of the issue are
Editor’s Note: Lonnie Johns is a member
truthfully and completely presented to them. of the Jacksonville Coalition to Save Our
“Tell the other side of the Mabley story State Facilities.
! Continued from page A1
health departments’ primary role is to indently of the WCDH and IDPH for the last sure that people who have private wells are
round of samples.
aware of the risks associated with using the
In an e-mail sent after the release, IEPA groundwater. The two agencies have been
Spokesman Maggie Carson clarified the interpreting private well test results the
press release further and stated: “Our tests past three months and explaining to well
were independent, using IEPA labs. The users any potential health implications.
Health Depts. took the first sets of samples. Illinois EPA’s role is to investigate the
IEPA later collected some as well.”
source or sources of the groundwater conBenzene concentrations in four of the tamination to determine whether the source
wells tested along Soper and Alliance av- or sources can be cleaned up or effectively
enues west of the Amerock plant were stopped from contributing to groundwater
greater than the recommended comparison contamination. The agencies are working
value for safe drinking water.
together to determine the extent of any
“Illinois EPA is taking seriously the con- risk to public health and the source(s) of
cerns expressed by area residents and is the contamination.”
investigating potential waste storage ponds
Exposure to benzene at the levels found
and other areas on/near the former cabinet in the area of the private wells over long
hardware manufacperiods of time may
turer property to the
lead to disorders of
east of the residen- Exposure to benzene at the levels the blood and bone
tial areas,” the IEPA found in the area of the private marrow system,
release said. “The wells over long periods of time such as anemia.
step-wise, scientific
They also may ininvestigation plan may lead to disorders of the blood crease the lifetime
regarding allega- and bone marrow system, such as risk of cancer.
tions of hazardous anemia. They also may increase
The IEPA release
waste dumping will the lifetime risk of cancer.
stated that “Recent
be similar to the acsampling results
tions listed above. Ilfrom 10 private
linois EPA currently has no information wells in the area included samples from four
linking benzene use to facility processes. homes that had not been tested before. In
There could be other sources for waste four wells, benzene was detected at levels
dumped in this area in the past — prior to greater than the MCL (maximum contamicurrent environmental regulations.”
nant levels) comparison value. IDPH has
The IEPA release also stated: “Illinois contacted those well owners and provided
EPA plans to use a geoprobe, which is a type guidance about well water use.”
of drilling equipment mounted on a small
As for other heavy metals the IEPA said
truck, to find out more about the groundwa- were tested, the release stated: “Five priter. The Agency will take water levels across vate well samples in the two-block area
several blocks to determine the flow direc- were also analyzed for the presence of certion of groundwater. In addition, water tain metals and other contaminants that
samples will be taken to analyze for the fuel- would be expected in waste from metal
related contamination to further define the plating operations done at the former
extent of contamination.”
Amerock facility. None of that type of conContaminants discovered in some pri- tamination was found in the well water.”
vate wells are from a family of chemicals
Wells that the IEPA said showed no VOC
known as VOCs that are commonly found in contamination were located on Bond, North
fuels such as gasoline, diesel and home Day, North Greenview, North Johnston,
heating fuel. The most recent set of well North Willard and some of the homes tested
water samples was taken Sept. 14. Twenty- on Soper and Alliance avenues.
five wells have been tested in all, some more
The IDPH recommended that if residents
than once.
detect an odor of fuels or solvents in their
Also included in the release was the fol- drinking water they should contact the IDPH
lowing statement: “The state and county Rockford Regional Office at (815) 987-7511.
6
A
Oct. 26-Nov. 1, 2011
Special Advertising Section
THE ROCK RIVER FINANCIAL TIMES
unions
The credit union philosophy Credit
celebrate
From the Illinois Credit Union League
In 1935, when credit unions were helping
Americans through the Great Depression,
the treasurer of a Midwestern credit union
said that credit unions were “not for profit,
not for charity, but for service,” and that
philosophy holds true today.
Credit unions continue to look out for their
members’ interests and provide a level of
service that is not generally available at other
financial institutions. Whether it’s providing
a loan to help a member cover unexpected
medical bills, giving financial counseling to a
member whose company closed its doors, or
simply offering a better deal on a used car
loan, credit unions make a difference for their
members and the communities they serve.
Aug. 24, 1984, the World Council of Credit
Unions approved the nine International
Credit Union Operating Principles that have
remained the cornerstone of our movement.
They are as follow:
! Open and voluntary membership
! Democratic control
! Non-discrimination
! Service to members
! Distribution to members
! Building financial stability
! Ongoing education
! Cooperation among cooperatives
! Social responsibility
These principles are founded in the philosophy of cooperation and its central values of equality, equity and mutual self-help.
They express, around the world, the principles of human development and the brotherhood of man through people working together to achieve a better life for themselves
and their community.
A brief credit union timeline
While International Credit Union Day
has been celebrated for the past 55 years,
the beginnings of credit unions evolved in
early 19th-century Europe. We pay tribute
to these founders and to the many people
today who continue the commitment that
sustains and builds today’s cooperative financial institutions.
! A group of workers and weavers in
Rochdale, England, organized the first financial cooperative in 1844.
! Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen, mayor of
Flammersfeld, Germany, created the first
credit cooperative in Germany. He conceived
of the idea for a credit union to help alleviate
the distress of farmers suffering from the
famine that had struck his district. Although
the credit union was not officially formed
until Dec. 1, 1849, credit union people have
celebrated the year 1848 since the 1940s.
! In 1900, a Canadian named Alphonse
Desjardins organized a credit union (caisse
populaire) in Levis, Quebec. In 1909,
Desjardins also organized the first credit union
in the United States in New Hampshire.
! Two Americans were influenced by
Desjardins’ efforts — Pierre Jay, the Massachusetts banking commissioner, and Edward A. Filene, a Boston merchant. The two
men helped organize public hearings on
credit union legislation in Massachusetts,
leading to passage of the first state credit
union act in 1909.
! In 1921, Filene created the Credit Union
National Extension Bureau and hired Massachusetts attorney Roy F. Bergengren to
help him. Filene poured more than $1 million of his own money into the project.
Bergengren appeared before state legislators, helping pass laws and initiating volunteer organizers into the “movement.”
! Congress passed a Federal Credit Union
Act in 1934 to facilitate the organization of
federal credit unions across the United States.
That same year, the Credit Union National
Association (CUNA) was formed as a confederation of state associations. By 1935, 39
states had credit union laws, and 3,372 credit
unions were serving 641,800 members.
! In 1948, the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) decided to initiate a new national Credit Union Day celebration. CUNA
and CUNA Mutual Insurance Society set aside
the third Thursday of October as the national
day of observance. By then, many more of
America’s credit union leaders believed there
was a need for an occasion that would bring
people together to reflect upon credit union
history and achievements and to promote the
credit union idea across the country.
! During the 1950s, CUNA’s World Extension Department provided technical assistance and philosophical guidance for credit
union development worldwide. So many countries had established credit union movements
by 1964 that CUNA formally expanded its
mission and launched CUNA International.
New movements joined the credit union family each year, and an increasing number of
people were interested in celebrating their
uniqueness and unity with a special holiday
that could be enjoyed by everyone-regardless
of religion, political beliefs, cultural differences or language. Many credit unions and
leagues began to distribute publications, banners, slogans and kits, and Credit Union Day
became an international celebration.
! By 1971, substantial worldwide credit
union progress led to the creation of World
Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) to assist others in establishing and maintaining
viable credit union movements in countries
across the globe.
! In the late 1990s, Congress passed
favorable legislation that helped credit
unions retain their principles while allowing for future growth. In August 1998, President Clinton signed H.R. 1151, the Credit
Union Membership Access Act, into law.
International
Year of
Cooperatives
The United Nations General Assembly
has declared 2012 the International Year of
Cooperatives (IYC). The designation serves
to highlight the contribution cooperatives
have had in reducing poverty, creating jobs
and promoting social integration. The theme
for the International Year of Cooperatives
2012 is “Cooperative Enterprises Build a
Better World.”
To help commemorate IYC, Senate Resolution 87, which designates 2012 as the
International Year of Cooperatives, was
unanimously passed by the U.S. Senate on
July 21, 2011. The bi-partisan resolution
was introduced by Tim Johnson (D-S.D.)
and Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and 29 additional co-sponsors.
The resolution recognizes the vital role
cooperatives play in the economic and
social well-being of the United States;
urges the establishment of a National
Committee for the 2012 International Year
of Cooperatives to be comprised of representatives from federal agencies, all cooperative sectors and key stakeholders; and
encourages highlighting the positive impact of cooperatives and developing new
programs for domestic and international
cooperative development.
The International Year of Cooperatives
officially begins Oct. 30, 2011, and runs
through November 2012.
Furthermore, October 2011 is Co-op Month.
In addition to International Credit Union Day
Oct. 20, 2011, other cooperatives will be celebrated throughout the month of October
with Co-op Month in the United States, and
Co-op Week in Canada, Oct. 16-22.
Vibe
B
entertainment
Page B1 - Pullout | Oct. 26-Nov. 1, 2011
Music Calendar – B2
Theater Calendar – B3
Music News – B7
Blues duo Paul Rishell and
Annie Raines perform Nov. 1
An Evening with Mark Twain
Oct. 30 at Pec Playhouse
Violin virtuoso Darwyn Apple
performs in Rockford Oct. 28
Community News
Block 5 Halloween Bash
set for Oct. 29 downtown
Staff Report
Businesses in the 500 block of East State
Street in downtown Rockford are teaming
up for a Block 5 Halloween Bash, starting at
9 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 29. Admission is free
at each participating business.
Bamboo, Irish Rose, The Office, Deli Italia,
Social and Abreo will hold Rockford’s largest Halloween bash. Each business will offer a costume contest with a $100 cash prize.
Each finalist will then go on to be eligible to
win $500 as the “Block 5’s Best Costume.”
The event will also feature drink specials.
The businesses have teamed up with
DD of Illinois to ensure the safety of all
customers. For no charge, anyone at any
time can call DD of Illinois from anywhere
on Block 5, and they will come with two
people — one to drive you home in your car
and one in a chase car to pick up the
driver. The block five businesses will continue to offer the service every Friday and
Saturday night.
Following is the live music lineup for the
Oct. 29 event, listed by participating business:
Bamboo Asian Noodles and Tapas
Bar, 514 E. State — DJ;
Irish Rose Saloon, 519 E. State — Dane
Penn with special guest (original music);
Abreo, 515 E. State — DJ Jason M and
DJ Shy;
The Office, 513 E. State — Sweet Lucky
Upstairs and DJ downstairs;
Deli Italia, 507 E. State — Higher
Ground; and
Social, 509 E. State — DJ.
Theater News
Artists’ Ensemble offers weekend of new plays
Theater Review
By Edith McCauley
Theater Critic
The reading of three new plays Oct. 21-23
by local playwrights at Artists’ Ensemble’s
New Play Café gave audiences the opportunity to appreciate their talents and to interact with them following the readings.
Before the demise of New American Theater, readings of new plays was a part of
their season. That this opportunity is again
Continued on page B3 !
Community News
Local author shares Rockford
area’s top five creepiest places
By Michael Kleen
Author and Publisher
Things lurk in the dark recesses of the
places we frequent each day,
and the Rock River Valley
has no shortage of spots that
are reported to be haunted.
There are roads where
ghosts roam, houses occupied by the dead who refuse
to leave, and theaters accentuated with phantom
perfume, but which one of
these places will prove to be
the creepiest of them all?
5. Kennedy Hill Road
in Byron — Between midDecember 1980 and early
January 1981, dozens of
people reported seeing a
young woman in various
stages of dress walking down
Kennedy Hill Road outside of Byron. By
Jan. 20, 1981, the sightings had reached a
fevered pitch. Motorists parked their cars in
the frigid temperatures along the narrow
rural road to catch a glimpse of what became known as “The Phantom Lady of
Kennedy Hill Road.” Newspaper reports
reached as far away as Chicago, and the
Rockford Register Star ran five consecutive
articles about the sightings.
Explanations for the phantom varied from
the ghost of a woman who had been buried in
a nearby cemetery, to a mentally-disabled girl
who ran away from home, to
even a transvestite who wore
his girlfriend’s clothes after
she died in an accident. The
phantom disappeared after
the snow thawed that spring
and was never seen again,
but she is not the only ghost
that calls this road home. An
old white farmhouse near
Kennedy Hill Road is also
said to be haunted.
4. Nellie Dunton Home
in Belvidere — A brokenhearted woman is said to
haunt this home overlooking the Kishwaukee River
just east of Rockford. Nellie
grew up in the small town of
Belvidere prior to the Civil War and fell in
2
B
Vibe
Oct. 26-Nov. 1, 2011
Music
Upcoming Events
RAMI Awards Nominations Open –
Nominees need not be RAMI members, but must have worked a minimum of eight public performances
during eligibility period within 50mile radius of center of Rockford;
must legally reside within 50-mile
radius; must submit at least one
song in digital format; live performances must contain at least 50
percent original material. Deadline:
Dec. 31. Info: www.ramiawards.com.
Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center
2011-2012 Concert Season – Subscription packages or single tickets
available. Violin Master Class with
Darwyn Apple, Oct. 26, 6:30 p.m. Public is welcome. Concert Friday, Oct. 28,
7:30 p.m. Mendelssohn Chamber Orchestra with Darwyn Apple, violin in
“Mozart Meets Ravel.” Saturday, Nov.
5, 2:30 p.m.: “A Journey Into Composition with Catherine McMichael. Info:
www.mendelssohnpac.org.
Rockford Symphony Orchestra Patrons:
Single tickets are now on sale
forComEd Classics Series. Next performance: Classic Remembrances,
with the Mendelssohn Chorale, Nov.
12. Order tickets from the RSO website
at www.rockfordsymphony.com, or call
815-965-0049 or visit the Box Office
at Coronado Performing Arts Center,
314 N. Main St.
Monroe Arts Center: “Guitar Music of
Brazil” – Sunday, Nov. 6, 2 p.m. Info:
608-325-5700 or 888-596-1249.
Wednesday, Oct. 26
Violin Master Class with Darwyn Apple
– Allen Chapel AME Church, 3000
Rural St. 6:30 p.m. Four local violin
students work with Mr. Apple on
intermediate to advanced repertoire. Free, open to the public.
Brother K – Adriatic Café, 327 W.
Jefferson St. 8 p.m.-midnight. Free.
Every Wed. Info: 815-967-9939.
Vinyl Voodoo – Mary’s Place, 602 N.
Madison St. 10:30 p.m. Free. Every
Wed. Info: 815-962-7944.
Peopel, Los Osos Voladores – Kryptonite
Music Lounge, 308 W. State St. 9
p.m. Free. Info: 815-965-0931.
Ian Letts Have Sextet Jam Session
– The House Café, 263 E. Lincoln
Hwy., DeKalb. 8 p.m. Free. Info:
815-787-9547.
Karaoke with Mike – Rusty Nail, 1804
Eighth Ave. 7:30 p.m.-midnight. Every
Wed. Free. Info: 815-397-2510.
Open Stage w/Jim Grass – Hope
and Anchor, 5040 N. Second St.,
Loves Park. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Free.
Info: 815-633-2552.
5 Star Karaoke with Laurie – Gene’s
Place, 4412 Manchester Drive (SW
corner of Harrison & Alpine behind
Chase Bank). 9 p.m. every Wednesday. Info: 815-977-4365.
Thursday, Oct. 27
Kelly Steward – Cliffbreakers, 700 W.
Riverside Blvd., Rockford. 6-8 p.m.
Info: 815-282-3033.
Open Mic – The Grove, 100 E. Grove
St., Poplar Grove. 6 p.m. Info: 814765-1002.
Murder at The Masquerade Mystery
Dinner – Hope and Anchor, 5040 N.
Second St., Loves Park. 6:30 p.m.
Call for tickets. Info: 815-633-2552.
Lynyrd Skynyrd & ZZ Top – BMO Harris Bank Center, 300 Elm St. 7 p.m.
Tickets: $29.50-$89.50. Info: 815968-5600.
The Hood Internet w/Lasers & Fast &
S–- – The House Café, 263 E. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb. 8 p.m. $10/$12.
Info: 815-787-9547.
Open Mic – The Grove, 100 E. Grove St.
6 p.m. Free. Info: 815-765-1002.
Open Mic – Katie’s Cup, 502 Seventh
St. Free. Info: 815-986-0628.
Open Stage – Mary’s Place, 602 N.
Madison St. 9:30 p.m. Free. Every
Thurs. Info: 815-962-7944.
Bike Night, Football DJ & Karaoke –
Whiskey’s Roadhouse, 3207 N.
Main St. Info: 815-877-8007.
Open Mic – Cronie’s Grill, 9032 N. Second St., Machesney Park. Every Thurs.
Friday, Oct. 28
Chamber Orchestra Kremlin – Rockford College, Clark Arts Center,
Maddox Theatre, 5050 E. State St. 7
p.m. Conducted by Misha Rachlevsky.
Free and open to public, but tickets
required. Info: 815-226-4100.
“Listening Room Fridays” – JustGoods,
201 Seventh St. 7 p.m. Launching of
weekly venue for composers, acoustic and classical performers, band
players. Free-will donations accepted. First act: Emery’s Blues
Boys. Info: http://justgoods.info/
or 815-965-8903.
Mendelssohn Chamber Orchestra with
Darwyn Apple, violin in “Mozart Meets
Ravel” – Court Street United Methodist Church, 215 N. Court St. 7:30 p.m.
Admission: $25 adults, $5 students;
groups of 10 or more adults get $5 off
per ticket. Info: 815-964-9713.
David Roth – The Reitsch Room,
Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center, 415 N. Church St. 7:30 p.m.
Folksinger, songwriter, recording
artist. Tickets $15 advance, $18 at
door. Info: 815-964-2238 or
www.charlotteswebofrockford.org.
Mob Zero – Bar 3, 326 E. State St.
Doors open 9:30 p.m. $5. Info: 815968-9061.
Dean Moriarty Jazz Band – Café
Belwah, 500 Pleasant St., Beloit, Wis.
6 p.m. Free. Info: 608-363-1110.
Tribute Showcase of Built to Spill,
Alkaline Trio – Kryptonite Music
Lounge, 308 W. State St.9 p.m. $5.
Info: 815-965-0931.
The Steve Doiel Trio – Domenico Pizza
Restaurant, 5e47 E. Grand Ave.,
Beloit, Wis. 7:30 p.m.
JF Gaziano & Beat Merchants – Deli
Italia Lounge, 507 E. State St. Info:
815-962-3354.
Jodi Beach Trio – Rue La Paris Café,
4001 N. Perryville Road. 7 p.m. Free.
Info: 815-877-2070.
Prime Time Live – Cliffbreakers, 700
W. Riverside Blvd. 9 p.m. Info: 815282-3033.
Mark Reed and Waddy – Franchesco’s,
7128 Spring Creek Road. 9 p.m.
Free. Info: 815-229-0800.
An Evening with Alfred Hitchcock – Hope
and Anchor, 5040 N. Second St., Loves
Park. 7 p.m. Info: 815-633-2552.
Cealed Kasket w/Skinny White Lines
– Mary’s Place, 602 N. Madison St.
9:30 p.m. Free. Info: 815-962-7944.
Silence Is Broken Metal Halloween Bash–
Whiskey’s Roadhouse, 3207 N. Main
St. 9 p.m. Info: 815-877-8007.
Kashmir: Tribute to Led Zeppelin –
Otto’s Niteclub & Underground, 118
E. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb. 8 p.m. Free.
Info: 815-758-2715.
Karaoke with Mike – Victory Tap, 2315
Harrison Ave. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Every
Fri. Free. Info: 815-399-8822.
Karaoke – The Filling Station, 6259
11th St. Info: 815-874-5766.
Karaoke – The Grove, 100 E. Grove
St., Poplar Grove. 9 p.m. Info: 815765-1002.
Karaoke – Scanlan’s, 2921 City View
Drive. 9 p.m. Info: 815-639-0000.
DJ – Backstop Bar & Grill, 1830 Union
Ave., Belvidere. 9 p.m. Free. Info:
815-547-8100.
DJ – Oscar’s Pub & Grill, 5980 E. State
St. 9:30 p.m. Info: 815-399-6100.
DJ – Manor Nightclub, 293 Executive Pkwy. 9 p.m. Free. Info: 815394-0077.
DJ – Brewsky’s, 4414 Charles St. 9:30
p.m. Free. Info: 815-399-9300.
DJ – RBI’s, 3870 N. Perryville Road. 9
p.m. Info: 815-877-5592.
DJ – Tad’s, 10 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves
Park. 9 p.m. Info: 815-654-3500.
DJ – The Office Niteclub, 513 E. State
St. 9 p.m. Info: 815-965-0344.
DJ Jonny – Shooter’s Bar & Grill,
4007 E. State St. 8 p.m. Info: 815399-0683.
DJ Mark & Lana – FIBS, 105 W.
Main St., Rockton. 9:30 p.m. Free.
Info: 815-624-6018.
DJ/Karaoke – Jayne’s Place, 2229
Anderson Drive, Belvidere. Info: 815544-5153.
DJ/Karaoke – Red’s Neighborhood
Tavern, 129 N. State St., Belvidere.
Info: 815-544-6677.
Saturday, Oct. 29
Halloween Party – Adriatic Café, 327 W.
Jefferson St. 9 p.m. Costume contest,
live music. Info: 815-967-9939.
Block 5 Halloween Bash – Abreo, Bamboo, Deli Italia, Irish Rose, Social:
businesses on Block 5, E. State St. 9
p.m. start. Each business will have a
costume contest with $100 cash
prize. Each finalist will be eligible to
win $500 as “Block 5’s Best Costume.” Great drink specials and no
cover. DD of Illinois will offer driving
service to ensure safety of customers. Info: 815-316-2455.
Big Daddy Woo Woo – The Royal Pub,
306 N. Park Blvd., Freeport. 9 p.m.
29 Needles w/Lost Thoughts, Soulsik
& Abandon All Hope – Bar 3, 326
E. State St. 9 p.m. $5. Info: 815968-9061.
Agnus Jackson – Gene’s Place, 4412
Manchester Drive, Rockford (SW
corner of Harrison & Alpine, behind
Chase Bank). 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Free.
Info: 815-847-9270.
Harlan Jefferson – Big Al’s Bar, 610 N.
Bell School Road. 8:30 p.m. Free.
Info: 815-398-6411.
Jack the Ripper’s Halloween with the
Edge – Hope and Anchor, 5040 N.
Second St., Loves Park. 9 p.m. Free.
Info: 815-633-2552.
The Pimps, 500 Miles to Memphis,
The Smooties – Kryptonite Music
Lounge, 308 W. State St. 8 p.m. $7.
Info: 815-965-0931.
Halloween Extravaganza VII – The
House Café, 263 E. Lincoln Hwy.,
DeKalb. Local bands play in musical
costume as other famous bands:
Rush, by Brothers Rage; Amy
Winehouse, by Caught in Your Pockets; Thin Lizzy, by Pat Hates Ryan
Green; Death from Above 1989, by
Loose Lips Sink Ships; The Wayne’s
World Soundtrack, by The Jack
Pines; Offspring, by Hasta Lumbago;
Foo Fighters, by The Flips; and
Barenaked Ladies, by Dash Cunning.
7 p.m. $10 or $7 w/costume. Info:
815-787-9547.
General Evil w/The B-Town Strokers
– Mary’s Place, 602 N. Madison St.
9:30 p.m. Info: 815-962-7944.
Brian Lavender and Whiskey Bent– The
Grove, 100 E. Grove St., Poplar Grove.
9 p.m. Free. Info: 815-765-1002.
Halloween Costume Party –
Franchesco’s, 7128 Spring Creek
Road. 9 p.m. Free. Info: 815-229-0800.
The Edge – Hope and Anchor, 5040 N.
Second St., Loves Park. 9 p.m. Free.
Info: 815-633-2552.
Otto’s Halloween Bash with Cealed
Kasket, Brothers Rage, The Employees, The Flips & Lucinda – Otto’s
Niteclub & Underground, 118 E. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb. 9 p.m. $8/$6
with costume. Info: 815-758-2715.
Rat Baxter – Take 20, 438 Bypass
U.S. 20, Cherry Valley. 9 p.m. Info:
815-332-9920.
Rhymix Band Halloween Bash – Eagles
Aerie No. 392, 3829 11th St. 7
p.m. Free. Info: 815-229-3340.
Rollin’ Whiskey – Shooter’s Bar & Grill
East, 7171 CherryVale Blvd., Cherry
Valley. 9 p.m. Free. Info: 815-332-5229.
Lickity Split – Second Cousins Bar &
Grill, 6246 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves
Park. 9 p.m. Info: 815-977-8856.
Iron Cross – Whiskey’s Roadhouse,
3207 N. Main St. 9 p.m. Free. Info:
815-877-8007.
Shifty Shafer – C & D’s Waterfall Party
Bar, 141 S. Appleton Road.,
Belvidere. 9 p.m.
The Sensations – Venetian Club, 2180
Elmwood Road. 7 p.m. Info: 815282-6037.
No Drama – Mulligan’s, 106 E. Railroad St., Lena, Ill. 9 p.m.
DJ/Karaoke – Red’s Neighborhood
Tavern, 129 N. State St., Belvidere.
Info: 815-544-6677.
DJ Mark & Lana – FIBS, 105 W.
Main St., Rockton. 9:30 p.m. Free.
Info: 815-624-6018.
DJ – Tad’s, 10 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves
Park. 9 p.m. Info: 815-654-3500.
Sunday, Oct. 30
The House Café’s Helloween feat.
Werewolf, hosted by Mr. Willy, w/
Art of the Flesh, Cealed Kasket,
LORD – The House Café, 263 E.
Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb. 8 p.m. $7. Info:
815-787-9547.
Rockford Wind Ensemble: Music
From the Heartland – Rockford
First Auditorium, 5950 Spring
Creek Road. 3 p.m. 10th anniversary begins. Tickets: $15 adults
($12 advance), $6 seniors, $5 students, $30 for season tickets (four
concerts), also available at the door.
Advance tickets at Rockford Area
Arts Council or call 815-227-8550.
Otto’s Halloween Party II w/DJ Special Ops, Hollywood – Otto’s Niteclub
& Underground, 118 E. Lincoln Hwy.,
DeKalb. 9 p.m. $10/$7 with costume. Info: 815-758-2715.
Population – Mary’s Place, 602 N.
Madison St. 9:30 p.m. Free. Info:
815-962-7944.
Monday, Oct. 31
Vinyl Voodoo – Mary’s Place, 602 N.
Madison St. 10:30 p.m. Free. Info:
815-962-7944.
Free Pool & Monday Night Football –
Main St. Info: 815-877-8007.
Open mic featured artist – The House
Café, 263 E. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb.
Info: 815-787-9547.
Tuesday, Nov. 1
Blues In The Schools (BITS) – Crossroads Blues Society will be at McNair
Elementary School in Winnebago in
the morning and Eastland Middle
School in Shannon in the afternoon.
Paul Rishell and Annie Raines will
perform on guitar and harmonica
for the students.
Paul Rishell & Annie Raines presented
by Crossroads Blues Society –
JustGoods Listening Room, 201
Seventh St. 7:30 p.m. Paul Rishel
and Annie Raines in a public performance. $10 for adults, free for students thru high school age, $5 for
Crossroads members at the door.
3 Doors Down & Theory of a Deadman –
BMO Harris Bank Center, 300 Elm St.
7 p.m. $25-$45. Info: 815-968-5600.
Open Stage – Mary’s Place, 602 N.
Madison St. 9:30 p.m. Info: 815962-7944.
Karaoke – Kryptonite Music Lounge, 308
W. State St. Info: 815-965-0931.
Dia De Los Weirdos w/CMKT4, Los
Osos Voladores, Mother Daughter Crime Team – The House Café,
263 E. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb. 8 p.m.
Free Info: 815-787-9547.
Free Pool & Karaoke with Bob –
Whiskey’s Roadhouse, 3207 N. Main
St. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Info: 815-877-8007.
Arts & Theater
Ongoing Attractions
Rockford Art Museum – 711 N. Main
St. Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun.,
noon-5 p.m. Featuring: Rockford
Made 4356: Deill/Julin,” thru Dec.
27. Born on the same day, in the
same year – April 3, 1956 – in the
same Rockford hospital. “Rockford
Made 4356” celebrates the creative
vision of noted Rockford artists John
Deill and Jim Julin. Also “ Hatching
History: A WATT Collection of Rare
Poultry Breed Portraits,” RAM Art
Annex, thru Nov. 20. “The Chemistry
of Color” Oct. 24 thru April 22, 2012.
“Abstractions” thru Nov. 6. “Outsider
Insights” thru Nov. 13. Free for everyone every Tues. Info: 815-968-2787.
Artists’ Ensemble – Rockford College
Cheek Theatre, 5050 E. State St.
Info:
815-903-2277
or
www.artistsensemble.org.
Kortman Gallery – 107 N. Main St. Mon.Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Exhibiting now:
“25: Rittenhouse @ Kortman.” Info:
815-968-0123.
David C. Olson Photography Studio –
7801 E. State St., inside Clock
Tower Resort. Wildlife and nature
imagery. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.-noon, Saturday. Free.
Info: 815-873-1777.
Beth Ann Weis Salon & Spa – 4108
Morsay Drive, Rockford. Hours: Tues.
& Fri., 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Thurs., noon-9
p.m.; Sat., 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Sun.,
Mon., Wed. Info: 815-387-2700.
Funktional Arts – 412 N. First St.
Furniture & sculpture. Info: 815969-7942.
Discovery Center -Museum – 711 N.
Main St. Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Now featuring: Peanuts... Naturally.
A lighthearted look at nature with
Charlie Brown, thru Jan. 8, 2012.
$1/person for members; $10/person for public. Info: 815-963-6769.
Village Gallery – Stewart Square. Artists’ co-op. 45 artists. Open Wed.-Fri.,
11 a.m.-2 p.m. Info: 815-963-ARTS.
Bonzi Productions Theatre Group –
Family theater, plays, musicals. Info:
815-394-8987.
Wright Museum of Art – 700 College
St., Beloit, Wis. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Tues.Sun. Info: 608-363-2677.
Galena Artists’ Guild Gallery – 324
Spring St., Galena. Thurs.-Mon., 10
a.m.-5 p.m. Info: 815-777-2870.
NIU Art Museum – Hall Case Galleries,
116 Altgeld Hall, DeKalb. Tues.-Fri.,
10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat., noon-4 p.m. Thru
Oct. 29: “In the House: Sculpture for
the Home,” “In the Studio and In the
Garden: John Balsley Sculpture and
Collage,” “On the Body and In the
Hand.” Free. Info: 815-753-1936.
Rockford College Art Gallery – Clark Arts
Center, 5050 E. State St. 3-6 p.m.,
Tues.-Fri. Featured exhibit: “TINY: Art
from Microscopes of UW-Madison”
thru Nov. 6. Info: 815-226-4105.
Womanspace – Womanspace, 3333
Maria Linden Drive. Mon.-Thurs., 9
a.m.-5 p.m. Info: 815-877-0118.
Beloit Fine Arts Incubator – 520 E.
Grand Ave., Beloit, Wis. Mon.-Fri., 10
a.m.-2 p.m. Featured exhibit: “The Art
of Harold Rotzoll.” Other hours by
appointment. Info: 608-313-9083.
Monroe Arts Center – 1315 11th St.,
Monroe, Wis. Info: 608-325-5700.
Burpee Museum of Natural History –
737 N. Main St. PASTForward: The
Art of Place, Space and Imagination.
Juried art exhibit, runs thru Oct. 30.
Two- and three-dimensional media and
photography. Info: 815-964-2424.
ArtSpace West – 1426 N. Main St. Tues.Fri., 3-8 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Info:
630-546-4727 or 815-988-1501.
Age Quake Theatre – Plays for and
about those 55 and older performed
in the greater Rockford area. Info:
815-398-8090.
Cholke Photography & Fine Art Gallery – 2211 E. State St. Fri., 7:3010 p.m.; Sat., 4:30-10 p.m.; Sun., 25 p.m. Free. Info: 815-226-9398.
The Fireside Theatre – Fort Atkinson,
Wis. Info: 800-477-9505 or
www.firesidetheatre.com.
Freeport Art Museum –121 N. Harlem
Ave., Freeport. Tues.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.;
Sat., noon-5 p.m. Exhibiting now: “Art
of Devotion” featuring devotional
artifacts from the museum’s collection of Russian icons and artifacts
from a private collector. Thru Nov.
12. Info: 815-235-9755.
DeKalb Area Women’s Center – 1021
State St., DeKalb. Fridays 7-9 p.m.
Info: 815-758-1351.
Tom Littrell Design & Art Studio –
317 Market St., Rockford. Info: 815519-5288.
Timber Lake Playhouse – 8215
Black Oak Road, Mt. Carroll. Info:
815-244-2035.
Ingrid Dohm Studio Gallery – 839 N.
Perryville Road. Appointments/Info:
815-519-6492.
Midtown Marketplace – 203 Seventh St.
Info: 815-961-1269.
The Gallery At JustGoods – 201 Seventh
St. Currently seeking local artist to
present works in the Community/Art
room. Now thru Nov. 1: Rockford
Urban Ministries Used Art Sale. Info:
815-965-8903.
Charlotte Hackin Art Studio & Gallery – 6278 Brynwood Drive. Info:
815-639-1318.
Bliss Beads Studio & Gallery – 161 E.
Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb, Ill. Weekly
classes in bead jewelry making,
silversmithing and flamework glass.
Now: “Dictations of Character” by
Elaine Hudson. Special show: “Motion Suspended in Glass” Oct. 28.
Regular hours: 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Mon.Sat. Info: 815-517-0164.
Woodstock Musical Theatre Company
– Woodstock Opera House,121
VanBuren St., Woodstock. Info: 815338-5300.
Northwestern Illinois Theater Coalition – Seeking one-act plays by local
authors, 20-30 min. with regional
setting. Deadline to submit: Dec. 20.
Final selections made Jan. 5. Opening February 2012: The Cheddar
Curtain. Info: 815-281-0138.
Rock Valley College – Estelle M. Black
Library, Educational Resource Building, 3301 N. Mulford Road. Now
thru Nov. 7: Esperanzas by Teresa J.
Parker. Exhibition of images expressing the Spanish word for “hope.” The
art examines the difficult issues facing women with breast cancer. Mon.Thurs., 8 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fridays, 8 a.m.5 p.m.; Saturdays, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 26
“Art of Devotion” – Freeport Art Museum,121 N. Harlem Ave., Freeport.
Tues.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat., noon-5
p.m. Devotional artifacts from the
museum’s collection of Russian
icons and artifacts from a private
collector. More than 15 icons executed in Byzantine style painted by
Freeport native Athena Mosxona.
Info: 815-235-9755.
“TINY: Art from Microscopes at UWMadison” – Rockford College Art
Gallery, 5050 E. State St. Exhibition
of scientific photographs and 3-D
models generated by UW-Madison
scientists during their research. Info:
815-226-4105.
Comedy: Jack Willhite & Jay Harris –
Main St. Free. Info: 815-877-8007.
Broadway at the Coronado: Monty
Python’sSpamalot – Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main
St. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: 815-9680595 or www.coronadopac.org.
Sculpture Creations – Womanspace,
New Dimensions Studio, 3333
Maria Linden Drive. 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Ages 14-adult. Cost: $95 members,
non-members $110. Clay sculpture,
six-part class. Info: 815-877-0118.
“Used Art” Gallery Show – JustGoods
Fair Trade Store, 201 Seventh St.
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Oils, watercolors,
prints by Tom Heflin, political posters, art books. Info: 815-964-7111.
Thursday, Oct. 27
Your ArtScene Experience 2-Part
Workshop Series: Session 2: PostArtScene – 317 Studio & Gallery,
317 Market St. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Professional field tips on matting, framing, paint color trends, lighting, wall
covering, window treatments. fabrics,
etc. Cost: $15. Info: 815-963-6765.
The Winter’s Tale – Northern Illinois
University School of Theatre and
Dance, Stevens Building, O’Connell
Theatre, DeKalb. 7:30 p.m. Tickets:
$15 adults, $12 seniors, $8 students. Info: 815-753-1600.
815-226-4105.
“Dictations of Character” – Bliss Beads
Studio & Gallery,161 E. Lincoln Hwy.,
DeKalb, Ill. New exhibit by Elaine
Hudson, 2- and 3-dimensional portraits. Artist’s reception, 6-8 p.m.
Weekly classes in bead jewelry making, silversmithing,flamework glass.
Info: 815-517-0164.
Info: 815-235-9755.
Woodstock Weavers Guild 14th Annual
Textile & Fiber Show – Old Courthouse Arts Center, 101 N. Johnston,
Woodstock. Thru Oct. 28. Gallery hours:
Thurs., Fri., Sat., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. ,15 p.m. Free. Info: 815-784-4137.
Vibe
Oct. 26-Nov. 1, 2011
B
Local author shares Rockford area’s ...
! Continued from page B1
love with an older man, who promised to
marry her after the war. When he failed to
return, Nellie refused to fall in love again. She
spent the rest of her life in this house. Eventually, she wandered into the river and drowned,
some say while wearing her old wedding
dress. Her ghost has been seen by residents of
this home, as well as by its neighbors.
3. 23rd Avenue in Moline — This otherwise nondescript road is haunted by a
very unusual specter. Seen less frequently
in recent years, the “Pointing Ghost” is an
anonymous phantom woman who appears
in Victorian garb along 23rd Avenue in
Moline. She has alternatively been accused
of inaccurately predicting deaths and criminal convictions, and of even misdirecting an
inebriated man to the balcony rather than
the restroom. She is called the “Pointing
Ghost” because she is always seen with her
arm outstretched, pointing at someone or in
some direction.
2. Guiteau Home in Freeport — Locally known as the “Saltbox Place,” this
unassuming stone house about 17 miles
west of Rockford is rumored to have been
the boyhood home of President James
Garfield’s assassin, Charles Guiteau.
Guiteau possessed delusions of grandeur
and believed he had been personally responsible for Garfield’s nomination at the
1880 Republican Convention. After President Garfield denied his application for an
ambassadorship to France, Guiteau decided
that God had told him to assassinate the
president. July 2, 1881, he shot Garfield
twice in the back. For 11 weeks, the president lay in agony, until he finally died of an
infection in September. Guiteau was hanged
June 30, 1882.
Charles Guiteau’s remains were never
found, and some locals believe his bones
were secreted back to Freeport, where they
were buried in the basement of the “Saltbox
Place.” In fact, neither Charles nor his parents ever owned this house. According to the
Freeport Journal-Standard, that distinction belonged to Guiteau’s aunt and uncle.
Nevertheless, tenants living in the home
after Guiteau’s execution reported an op-
pressive, dark presence and the smell of
sulfur. The house is being renovated after
sitting abandoned for a number of years.
1. Twin Sisters Woods in Rockford —
Twin Sisters Woods is behind Charles Street
in Rockford and is part of Twin Sister Hills
Park — 22.44 acres of recreational land
complete with two baseball fields and three
sled hills. It is a popular winter destination,
but some locals claim this park is home to
more sinister guests. The woods, they say,
has been the scene of several murders, hangings and even a drowning. Feelings of dread,
disembodied voices and mysterious figures
are just some of the phenomena experienced by visitors.
A large willow tree looms near the entrance to the woods. According to the
Shadowlands Index of Haunted Places for
Illinois: “If you walk by the willow tree, it is
said that you have a strange desire to go into
the woods. There is an old hanging tree with
some odd carvings on it. A little girl is said to
be seen walking around.” The little girl is
the ghost of a child who allegedly drowned
in nearby Keith Creek.
Are you ready to encounter the unusual?
Check out these places and more in Haunting Illinois: A Tourist’s Guide to the Weird
and Wild Places of the Prairie State. Haunting Illinois contains 200 mystery sites from
all over the state, accompanied by 85 individual photos. Divided among eight distinct
regions and listed by county, each location
features a description, directions and sources
drawn from a diverse variety of books and
articles. Haunting Illinois challenges you to
get off the couch and start exploring our
wonderful state of Illinois.
Michael Kleen of Rockford is author of
Haunting Illinois: A Tourist’s Guide to the
Weird and Wild Places of the Prairie State
(2011); Home of the Brave, Part 1: A Rope of
Sand (2011); Tales of Coles County, Illinois
(2010); Paranormal Illinois (2010); One Voice
(2009); Legends and Lore of Illinois: Case
Files Volume 1 (2009); and Six Tales of
Terror: Short Stories for Dark and Stormy
Nights (2005, re-released as a digital book in
2011). Visit http://michaelkleen.com/ for
more details.
Artists’ Ensemble offers weekend of new plays
available is most commendable.
The Shakespeare Conspiracy, based on a
book written by Ted Bacino, focuses on the
controversy concerning the extensive works
of William Shakespeare. Rufus Cadigan coauthors the play, and the dialogue details
the theory that it was Christopher Marlowe
who actually wrote the plays and sonnets
attributed to Shakespeare.
The timeline of 40 years includes conversations among Marlowe (David Jacobs),
Thomas
Walsingham
(Michael
Palmendorf), Francis Walsingham (David
Gingerich), William Shakespeare (Andy
Pollock), Henry Wriothesley (Jamie Button), and the outstanding Maunder (Barry
Nyquist). Jessica MacDonald directs with
her knowledge and expertise.
Almost since the time of Shakespeare’s
death, books and research papers have
been written finding flaws in his background, education and travel experiences
that give credibility to the theory that he
was incapable of the extensive output with
which he was ascribed.
Bacino and Cadigan continue to pursue
venues for their play.
The Right Thing, written by Ken Staaf, is
a beautifully-told story of family life in Rockford. It was not until nearly the end of the
evening that the actual truth dawned on me.
Barry Nyquist is Ernie, a Swedish immigrant coming to Rockford as a teen-ager,
finding work in a local factory, marrying his
wife Hilda (Pat Staaf) and raising his family.
It is nearly 50 years later, and he is disabled
with the ills of old age — diabetes, life in a
wheelchair, and eventually a stroke. As with
so many of his generation, the expression of
emotions is almost impossible. His two sons,
Eddie (Jamie Button) and John (John Chase),
try valiantly to make connections, but it is
almost impossible.
Linda Abronski directs Staaf’s amazing
play. The emotional heartbreak brings tears
to our eyes, and we find that every experience so aptly described in the play, we have
lived through.
Jeeves Takes a Bow Sunday afternoon
brought a familiar touch of humor with
Margaret Raether’s play based on the work
of P.G. Wodehouse. Our English hero, Bertie
Wooster, has come to New York City, and
friend Binkie (Andrew Harth) arrives to
complicate his life. A musical comedy,
Naughty Natalie, starring Mariah Thornton
as Ruby LeRoy, is a new twist in Raether’s
repertoire. Set in the 1930s, Prohibition
further adds a new aspect to the plot.
Linda Abronski’s direction kept everyone
using appropriate dialogue, and the bit of
music at the end written by Tim Anderson
and Raether added a new touch.
Local actors achieving national renown ...
Usually cast as Jeeves, Gary Wingert is
playing at Lookingglass Theatre in Chicago in
The Great Chicago Fire. In looking through my
reviews, I discovered I had seen the same work
with Gary starring in 1999. I hope it will be on
my Chicago list before it closes in December.
The arrival of the Oct. 10 New Yorker
brought more news. Friend, E. Faye Butler,
is currently starring in Alice Childress’
Trouble in Mind on Washington’s Arena
Stage and receiving rave reviews. A controversial work, Trouble in Mind is about race,
for sure, but a white person’s antebellum
view of it: “head rags and whittlin’.”
This is E. Faye Butler personified ... “‘I want
to be an actress!’ Wiletta says over and over
again. The play is about how she can’t be, not
in 1957, not here. But she refuses to leave the
stage. Or to listen to her director ... she’s the
last woman standing, as sturdy as a dream.”
— Reviewer Hilton Als in The New Yorker.
Friday, Oct. 28
Legacy Art Sale – Womanspace, Gallery 1, 3333 Maria Linden Drive.
5:30-8 p.m. Sealed bid sale; bids
start as low as $20 for oil, acrylic,
watercolor paintings, prints, ink
drawings, mixed media, weavings,
pottery. Also: raffle tickets for a nook
color will be available. Sale runs at
regular hours thru Nov. 10. Closing
party, Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. Bids will be
opened then. Info: 815-877-0118.
Info: 815-235-9755.
“Motion Suspended in Glass” – Bliss
Beads Studio & Gallery, 161 E. Lincoln
Hwy., DeKalb. 5-8 p.m. Trunk show of
handmade flamework glass beads by
Trish McKendry. Great gifts! Free to
the public. Info: 815-517-0164.
Rockford Made: Sock Monkeys ... Revamped! – Rockford Art Museum,
711 N. Main St. 2-4 p.m. Cost: $8 per
class. Supplies included. Registration
is required. Info: 815-972-2874.
DeKalb, Ill. Exhibit by Elaine Hudson, 2and 3-dimensional portraits. Hours:
11 a.m.-6 p.m., Mon., 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Tues., 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Wed.-Fri., 11
a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. Weekly classes in
bead jewelry making, silversmithing,
flamework glass. Info: 815-517-0164.
“The Art of Harold Rotzoll” – Beloit
Fine Arts Incubator, 520 E. Grand
Ave., Beloit, Wis. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.2 p.m. Other hours by appointment.
Etchings by Janesville, Wis. artist.
Info: 608-313-9083.
815-226-4105.
“25: Rittenhouse @ Kortman” –
Kortman Gallery, J.R. Kortman Center for Design, 107 N. Main St. Free.
Thru Nov. 19 Info: 815-968-0123.
“Symphony of Space and Forms” –
Monroe Art Center, 1315 11th
St., Monroe, Wis. Photography of
Massimo Rinversi of Rome, Italy.
Opening reception 5-7 p.m. Runs
thru Nov. 11. Free. Info: 608325-5700.
Saturday, Oct. 29
The Rocky Horror Picture Show –
Timber Lake Playhouse, 8215 Black
Oak Road, Mt. Carroll. 9:30
p.m.Tickets $15 at 815-244-2035
or www.timberlakplayhouse.org.
Info: 608-313-9083.
Hudson, 2- and 3-dimensional portraits. Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Sat.
Info: 815-517-0164.
Info: 815-235-9755.
Woodstock Weavers Guild 14th Annual Textile & Fiber Show – Old
Courthouse Arts Center, 101 N.
Johnston, Woodstock. Thru Oct. 28.
Gallery hours: Thurs., Fri., Sat., 11
a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. ,1-5 p.m. Free. Info:
815-784-4137.
“25: Rittenhouse @ Kortman” –
Kortman Gallery, J.R. Kortman Center for Design, 107 N. Main St. Thru
Nov. 19. Free. Info: 815-968-0123.
“Symphony of Space and Forms” – Monroe Art Center, 1315 11th St., Monroe, Wis. Photography of Massimo
Rinversi of Rome, Italy. Runs thru Nov.
11. Free. Info: 608-325-5700.
815-226-4105.
Studio Exhibition/Sale – 121 Prairie
St., Sharon, Wis. Noon-5 p.m. Artist
Martha Hayden exhibits her awardwinning paintings in her historic
home and studio. Featured works
include landscapes in Michigan, New
York, Wisconsin, France, Ireland,
Lithuania; also still life, figure painting and etching.
Sunday, Oct. 30
An Evening With Mark Twain – Pec
Playhouse Theatre, 314 N. Main St.,
Pecatonica. 2 p.m. All seats $10.
Live, one-show performance by Kurt
H. Sutton with music. Info: 815-2391210 or www.pecplayhouse.org.
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Studio Exhibition/Sale – 121 Prairie St.,
Sharon, Wis. Noon-5 p.m. Artist Martha
Hayden exhibits her award-winning
paintings in her historic home and studio. Featured works include landscapes
in Michigan, New York, Wisconsin,
France, Ireland, Lithuania; also still life,
figure painting and etching.
Monday, Oct. 31
Info: 815-235-9755.
Hudson, 2- and 3-dimensional portraits. Hours: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Mon.Weekly classes in bead jewelry
making, silversmithing,flamework
glass. Info: 815-517-0164.
Info: 608-313-9083.
815-226-4105.
“Symphony of Space and Forms” –
Monroe Art Center, 1315 11th St.,
Monroe, Wis. Photography of
Massimo Rinversi of Rome, Italy.
Runs thru Nov. 11. Free. Info: 608325-5700.
Tuesday, Nov. 1
Info: 815-235-9755.
Hudson, 2- and 3-dimensional portraits. Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Tues.
Info: 815-517-0164.
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Oct. 26-Nov. 1, 2011
815-226-4105.
“Symphony of Space and Forms” – Monroe Art Center, 1315 11th St., Monroe, Wis. Photography of Massimo
Rinversi of Rome, Italy. Runs thru Nov.
11. Free. Info: 608-325-5700.
Community
Ongoing Attractions
Rockford Public Library Hours – Main
Library open Tues.-Thurs., noon-8
p.m. Fri. & Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; East
Branch open Mon.-Thurs., noon-8
p.m. & Fri.-Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Rock
River and Montague branches open
Tues.-Thurs., noon-8 p.m. & Fri., 10
a.m.-6 p.m.; Rockton Centre Branch
open Mon.-Thurs., noon-8 p.m. &
Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Lewis Lemon
Branch open Mon.-Fri., 2-6 p.m. All
library locations closed Sundays.
Burpee Museum of Natural History –
737 N. Main St. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Exhibiting thru April 29, 2012: “Ice Age
Mammals.” Admission: $8 adults,
$7 children 3-17, free for children
younger than 3 and members; additional fee for travaling exhibits. Info:
815-965-3433.
Discovery Center Museum – 711 N.
Main St. Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Now featuring: Peanuts... Naturally.
A lighthearted look at nature with
Charlie Brown, thru Jan. 8, 2012.
$1/person for members; $10/person for public. Info: 815-963-6769.
Tinker Swiss Cottage – 411 Kent St.
Tours 1, 2, 3 p.m., Tues.-Sun. Info:
815-964-2424.
Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden
– 2715 S. Main St. Tues.-Sat., 9
a.m.-4 p.m. Admission $6 adults, $3
seniors & students, children younger
than 3 and Klehm members, free.
Info: 815-965-8146.
Anderson Japanese Gardens – 318
Spring Creek Road. Open May 1-Oct.
31. Info: 815-229-9390.
Memorial Hall – 211 N. Main St. 9
a.m.-4 p.m. Mon-Fri., or by appointment. Info: 815-969-1999.
Camp Grant – 1004 Samuelson Road.
8 a.m.-2 p.m., Tues.-Sat. Restaurant
on premises. Info: 815-395-0679.
Lewis Lemon Community Center –
1993 Mulberry St. Mon.-Fri., 5:30-
11 p.m. Free. Info: 815-987-8800.
Ethnic Heritage Museum – 1129 S.
Main St. Sun., 2-4 p.m. Featuring
“Garibaldi Guard!” honoring the 39th
New York Infantry, a regiment of Italian-American men who fought under
Giuseppe Garibaldi; runs until Nov.
30. Admission $3 individual, $5 family. Info: 815-962-7402.
Pine Tree Pistol Club – Info about club
& classes: 815-874-7399.
Graham-Ginestra House Museum –
1115 S. Main St. Sundays, 2-4 p.m.
Info: 815-968-6044.
Midway Village – 6799 Guilford
Road. Mon.-Sat., noon-4 p.m. Info:
815-397-9112.
Stone Quarry Recreation Park – 6845
N. German Church Road, Byron.
Mon.-Fri., 4-8 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., noon-8
p.m. Info: 815-234-8900.
Health Classes/Seniors Meetings/
Support Groups – OSF Saint Anthony Center for Health. Call for
specific meetings/dates/info:
815-395-4505.
Support Groups/Youth Drop-in Hours –
Diversity of Rockford, 117 S. Third St.
Free. Weekly. Call for specific meetings/dates/info: 815-964-2639.
Alcoholics Anonymous – Call for locations/times/info: 815-227-4633
or 815-968-0333.
Narcotics Anonymous – Call for locations/times/info: 815-964-5959
or 888-656-7329.
Support for Retired Grievers – Zion
Lutheran Church, 925 Fifth Ave. 1011:30 a.m. Free. Every other Wed.
Call for dates/info: 815-636-4750.
Overeaters Anonymous H.O.W.– Every Thursday at Byron Public Library,
Route 2. 12-step study group – 5:306 p.m. Regular group meets 6-7:30
p.m. Info: 815-734-4662.
Rockford Public Library Used Book
Shop – Rockford Public Library, 215
N. Wyman St. Mon.-Wed., noon-8
p.m.; Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat., 10
a.m.-1 p.m. Info: 815-965-7606.
Ken-Rock Community Center – 3218
11th St. Various activities throughout the year. Info: 815-398-8864.
Womanspace – 3333 Maria Linden
Drive. Yoga every Thursday, 9:3010:45 a.m. $40/four classes or
$12/class. Basic Hatha Yoga. Other
activities throughout the year. Info:
815-877-0118.
Beckman Mill Park – 11600 S. County
Road H, off Highway 81. Tours 1-4
p.m. Corn grinding demonstrations,
see the blacksmith shop, creamery
& visitor center. Info: 608-751-1551.
Heritage Farm Museum – 8059 N.
River Road, Byron. Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.4:30 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free.
Info: 815-234-8535, ext. 217.
Poplar Grove Vintage Wings and
Wheels Museum – 5151 Orth
Road, Poplar Grove. Open weekdays
11 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Info: 815-547-3115.
Rock River Valley Blood Center – 419 N.
Sixth St. Mon.-Thurs., 6:30 a.m.-6:30
p.m.; Fri., 6:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Info: 815965-8751 or 866-889-9037.
Kishwaukee Valley A.B.A.T.E. Meeting
– V.F.W., 2018 Windsor Road, Loves
Park. Second Sunday of each month,
Vibe
2 p.m. Info: 815-544-3088.
Land of Oz Corn Maze – 3262 E. 1951
Road, Ottawa, Ill. 5 p.m. until dusk.
Fund-raiser for local Camp Fire Council. Open weekends thru Oct. 30.
Night hikes available by reservation
only, minimum of six. For information/directions: 815-488-5000.
Open Doors – Court Street United Methodist Church Chapel, 215 N. Court St.
12:30-1 p.m. Every Wed. Enter north
end. Info: 815-962-6061.
Historic Auto Attractions – 13825
Metric Drive, Roscoe. Tues.-Sat., 10
a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Info:
815-389-9999.
Angelic Organics Learning Center –
1547 Rockton Road, Caledonia.
Various classes & activities throughout the year. Info: 815-389-8455.
Byron Museum of History – 106 N.
Union St., Byron. Tues.-Fri., 10 a.m.6 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Info:
815-234-5031.
The Bridge Center of Rockford – 4861
American Road. Games & classes
for beginners through experts. Info:
815-873-9334.
Household Hazardous Waste DropOff – Rock River Water Reclamation District, 3333 Kishwaukee St.
Sat., 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sun., noon-4 p.m.
Club Round: A Clubhouse for Round
People – 7120 Windsor Lake
Pkwy., Suite 202, Loves Park. Vari-
ous activities throughout the year.
Info: 815-639-0312.
Rockton Township Historical Society
Museum – Corner of Blackhawk
Boulevard & Green Street, Rockton.
Open for tours every Sat. 10 a.m.-2
p.m. Info: 815-624-4830.
Singles Together Across Rockford
(STAR) – Volleyball/Game Nights,
7-10 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church,
343 Grand Ave., Loves Park. Second and fourth Saturdays of each
month. Info: 815-962-4279.
Having Trouble Hearing on the Phone?
– Center for Sight & Hearing, 8038
Macintosh Lane. 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.,
Mon.-Fri. Free amplified phone program. Must be Illinois resident and
have standard phone service. Application/info: 815-332-6800.
Winnebago County Health Dept. Flu
Vaccine Available – For flu clinic
schedule, call 815-720-4264 or go
to www.wchd.org.
Stretch & Belly Dance Combo Beginners’ Class – Club Round, 7120
Windsor Lake Parkway. 7:30-9 p.m.
Classes every Mon., Wed. & Fri. Registration/info: 815-639-0312.
Adventure Club – Jarrett Center,
Byron Forest Preserve District,
7993 N. River Road, Byron. 9-11
a.m. or 1-3 p.m. Ages 3-6. Info:
815-234-8535, ext. 200.
Intermediate Writing/Publishing
Class – Meets every Mon. Call for
information. Info: 224-343-0384.
Introduction to Card-Making/Stamping – Meets every Thurs. Call for
information. Info: 224-343-0384.
Toddler Time – Mount Olive Lutheran
Church, 2001 N. Alpine Road. 9:1510:15 a.m. Every Mon. and Tues.
Free. Info: 815-399-3171.
Logan Museum of Anthropology –
700 College St., Beloit, Wis. 11
a.m.-4 p.m., Tues.-Sun. Info: 608363-2677.
Yoga Classes – Emmanuel Lutheran
Church, 920 Third Ave., Rockford.
Mondays, 6-7:15 p.m., six weeks consecutive, $45 or single classes, $10
each. Register/Info: 815-963-4815.
Jarrett Center – Byron Forest Preserve District, 7993 N. River Road,
Byron. Info: 815-234-8535, ext. 200.
Summerfield Zoo – 3088 Flora Road,
Belvidere. Open two weekends a
month, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays, 11
a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays. Open one weekday per month. Admission: $7 adults,
$5 children. Info: 815-547-4852.
R.I.P. Productions’ Halloween Horror –
FearFest 2011, 6512 Manchester
Road, South Beloit, Fri. and Sat. 7-11
p.m. Weekdays & Sundays, 7-10 p.m.
Screamatorium and Fear Asylum,
Belvidere Park District, 916 W. Lincoln Ave., Belvidere. Fri. and Sat., 7-11
p.m. Weekdays & Sundays, 7-10 p.m.
Tickets at various area outlets, or online
for Screamatorium and Fear Asylum
Oct. 26-Nov. 1, 2011
only at www.trailofscreams.com. Info:
815-965-6772.
Reservations for Mushroom Dinner
at Abreo – Abreo, 515 E. State St.
Date: Nov. 1. 5-9 p.m. Four courses
at $40/person (excluding tax & gratuity]. RSVP: 815-968-9463.
Registration for “The State of Illinois
Charter Schools” – Katie’s Cup, 502
Seventh St. Date: Nov. 3, 11:45 a.m.
lunch, 4 p.m. program. Lunch and
program, $12; program only, $5.
Refreshments served; donations
accepted. Info: RALMmail@aol.com
or 815-962-4279.
Registration for Foot Reflexology
Classes – Healthy Balance Reflexology Clinic, 6053 Fincham Drive,
Rockford. Dates: Nov. 3-Dec. 15, 68 p.m. Cost: $150 for six weeks, or
$35 per class. Info: 815-519-4977.
Registration for “A Toast to Remember Wine Tasting Benefit” –
Franchesco’s, 7128 Spring Creek
Road. Date: Nov. 3, 5-7:30 p.m. Cost:
$15/person advance, $20 at door.
Benefit for Alzheimer’s Association.
Info: Provena Cor Mariae Center,
815-877-7416.
Registration for 15th Annual Food for
Thought Workshop – Oakdale Nature Preserve, Freeport. Date: Saturday, Nov. 5. 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Learn about locally-produced food
and sustainable agriculture. $20/
person for Northwest Illinois
Audubon Society members, $25
non-members. Register by Oct. 28.
Info: 815-947-2720 or 815-9383204 or dldufford@dishmail.net.
Registration for Home School Class:
On Exhibit – Byron Forest Preserve
District, 7993 N. River Road. Date:
Nov. 7. 9:30-11:30 a.m. Ages 8-14.
Meet at Jarrett Center. Learn how
museum exhibits are made. Cost:
$10. Register by Nov. 2. Info: 815234-8535, ext. 200.
Registration for Home School Class:
Books, Books, Books – Byron Forest Preserve District, 7993 N. River
Road. Date: Nov. 7. 1-4 p.m. Ages 814. Meet at Jarrett Center. Cost:
$10/person. Register by Nov. 2.
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Info: 815-234-8535, ext. 200.
Registration for Astronomy: Fall Constellations – Byron Forest Preserve
District, 7993 N. Road. Date: Nov. 4.
8-10 p.m. All ages. Meet at Weiskopf
Observatory. Free. Register by Nov.
3. Info: 815-234-8535, ext. 200.
Registration for “An Evening With Carl
Kasell” – NIU’s Barsema Alumni &
Visitors Center, 231 N. Annie Glidden
Road, DeKalb. Date: Nov. 4. 7 p.m.
Celebrating WNIJ’s 20th anniversary with NPR news icon Carl Kasell.
7 p.m. social hour, 8 p.m. program.
Cost: $30/person, $50/couple.
Info: 815-753-9000.
Calling Former Students of Gunsolas
Grade School – Reunion planned
for Nov. 8, 2-4 p.m. at 5512 35th
St., Rockford. Bring pictures for display and stories to share. Call Vivian
Johnson at 815-87402659.
Wednesday, Oct. 26
Edgebrook Farmers’ Market – Edgebrook
Shopping Center, 1601 N. Alpine Road.
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Oct. 26-Nov. 1, 2011
Every Wednesday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Local produce. Rockford Rescue Mission will have bins available for donations. Donations can be dropped off
at several locations. Info: 815-2260212. Last time this season!
Daf Drum Lessons – Womanspace,
New Dimensions Gallery, 3333
Maria Linden Drive. 11 a.m.-noon
(level 1) and noon-1 p.m. (level 2).
Cost: $40 members, $48 non-members. Info: 815-877-0118.
Breastfeeding Class – OSF Saint Anthony
Medical Center, 5666 E. State St. 7-9
p.m. Included in “Baby 101” and Baby
Express classes. Info: 815-227-2695.
Master’s of Science Information Session – Saint Anthony College of Nursing, 5658 E. State St. 3-6 p.m. Info on
various specialty tracks and application process. Info: 815-395-5476.
Spaghetti Dinner 14 – The 4 Seasons
Banquet Rooms, 1100 W. Galena
Ave., Freeport. 4:30-7:30 p.m. Cost:
Adults, $6; children 10 and younger,
$3. Carry-outs available. Tickets also
available at the door. Benefit for
Human Services Fund of Freeport.
Info: 815-235-8012.
Joint Replacement Surgery: Ask the
Experts – SwedishAmerican Hospital Conference Center, 1401 E. State
St. 6-8 p.m. Admission free, but seating is limited. Reserve a space by
calling 815-968-2500. Enter thru
Heart Hospital entrance, off Charles
Street. Valet parking available.
Babes and Books – Rockford Public Library, Main Library, Little Theatre, 215
N. Wyman St. 11:15 a.m.-noon. Children younger than 2. Develop baby’s
literacy & social skills through rhymes,
stories, songs. Info: 815-965-7606.
Book Adventure: The Calder Game –
Womanspace Library, 3333 Maria
Linden Drive. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Ages
9-13. Cost: $30 members, $35 nonmembers. Info: 815-877-0118.
Winnebago County Animal Services
Public Awareness Session: Feline
Facts & Myths – Volunteer Auxiliary
at 4517 N. Main St. 6-7:30 p.m. Learn
about multiple cat households, litter
box issues, declawing, spaying/neutering. Space is limited. Reserve at
815-319-4106 or 815-319-4100.
Wednesday Storytime – Rockford Public Library, Rock River Branch, 3128
11th St. 4-4:45 p.m. All ages. Info:
815-965-7606.
Introduction to Sacred Sound –
Womanspace, Fountain View Room,
3333 Maria Linden Drive. 6:30-8:30
p.m. Tibetan singing bowls offer profound healing vibrations. Cost: $20
members, $25 non-members. Info:
815-877-0118.
Free Blood Pressure Screening – OSF
Saint Anthony Medical Center, 5666
E. State St. 9-11 a.m. No registration required. Info: 815-395-5064.
Home School Skate and Play – Carlson
Ice Arena & Sapora Playworld, 4150
N. Perryville Road. Indoor ice skating
from 2:20-4:20 p.m. every Wed. thru
May 16, 2012. Open for children 12
and younger. Discounted prices: admission, $2.50 ($3 non-resident);
skate rental, $1.50, Playworld admission, $2.50 ($3 non-resident). Family
package $20 ($25 non-resident) includes skating admission, skate rental
& Playworld admission for up to 4
family members. Info: 815-969-4069
or www.rockfordparkdistrict.org. For
people with disabilities, call 815-9878800.
To Write Love on Her Arms – Rockford College, 5050 E. State St. 6:307 p.m. Nonprofit movement to help
people struggling with depression,
addiction, self-injury and suicide.
Speaker: Jamie Tworkowski. Free.
Info: www.twloha.com.
Diabetes Support Group – OSF Saint
Anthony Medical Center, St. Francis
Room, 5666 E. State St. 6:30 p.m.
Free. Info: 815-395-5159.
Weight Loss Orientation – OSF Saint
Anthony Center for Health, rotates
among three OSF locations. 11:30
a.m.-12:30 p.m. every Wed. Info:
815-395-4505.
“Woman to Woman” Breast Cancer
Support Group – OSF Saint Anthony
Medical Center, 5666 E. State St.
9:30-10:30 a.m. Info: 815-227-2629.
Thursday, Oct. 27
“Made in America: Insects” – Byron
Forest Preserve District, 7993 N.
River Road. 4-6 p.m. All ages. Meet
at Jarrett Center. Register by Oct.
26. Info: 815- 234-8535, ext. 200.
Breast Cancer Risk Reduction Class
– OSF Saint Anthony Center for Cancer Care, Library, 5666 E. State St.
9:30-10:30 a.m. Free; class size is
limited; registration is required. Info:
815-227-2618.
Candle Lighting Memorial Service –
Our Lady of the Assumption Church,
2222 Shopiere Road, Beloit, Wis.
6:30 p.m. To honor patients and
families served by Beloit Regional
Hospice. 2011 memorial quilt will
be on display after the service. Info:
608-363-7421.
Love Has No Color Fund-raiser for
Native American Children –
Hoffman House, 7550 E. State St.
5:30-9 p.m. Sponsored by local chiropractors to benefit children on
Fort Peck Reservation, Montana.
Silent auction, IceHogs autographs,
program at 7, cash bar, music, Indian artifacts to purchase. Info: 815623-5460 or 815-623-8100.
Look, Listen and Learn Storytime –
Rockford Public Library, East Branch,
6685 E. State St. 11:15 a.m.-12:15
p.m. Ages 3-6. Info: 815-965-7606.
Preschool Picnic Storytime – Rockford
Public Library, Rockton Centre Branch,
3112 N. Rockton Ave. Noon-12:45
p.m. Ages 3-6. Info: 815-965-7606.
Breast Cancer Risk Reduction Class
– OSF Saint Anthony Center for Cancer Care, 5666 E. State St. 9:3010:30 a.m. Registration is required.
Info: 815-227-2618.
Fall Lecture Series: Philip B. Dedrick –
Freeport Public Library, 1440 S.
Carroll Ave., Freeport. 7 p.m. Artist
Philip Dedrick made many contributions to the Freeport Art Museum.
Sponsored by Stephenson Country
Museum and Freeport Public Library.
Free. Info: 815-232-8419.
Foundations of Yoga – Womanspace
Library, 3333 Maria Linden Drive.
5:30-6:45 p.m. Cost: $60 members,
$72 non-members. Six-week class.
Info: 815-877-0118.
Bilingual Thursdays Storytime (Spanish/English) – Rockford Public Library, Rock River Branch Program
Room, 3128 11th St. 4-4:45 p.m.
Ages 3-8. Info: 815-965-7606.
Leaves on the Wind – Rockford Public
Library, Rockton Centre Branch,
3112 N. Rockton Ave. 12-12:45
p.m. All ages. Info: 815-965-7606.
SOUNS for Infants – Rockford Public
Library, East Branch Children’s Area,
6685 E. State St. 6-6:45 p.m. Ages
under 2. Literacy-building program.
Info: 815-965-7606.
Open Mic – Katie’s Cup, 502 Seventh
St. Free. Info: 815-986-0628.
Sunset Storytime – Rockford Public
Library, Main Library Little Theatre,
215 N. Wyman St. 6:30-7:15 p.m.
Ages 4-10. Info: 815-965-7606.
Swing Dancing – St. Edward Church,
3004 11th St. 8-10:30 p.m. Every
Thurs. Info: 815-914-7441.
OSF “Stepping Forward” Cancer Support Group – OSF Saint Anthony Center for Cancer Care, 5666 E. State St.
6:30-8 p.m. Info: 815-227-2223.
Support for Grief After Suicide – Gloria
Dei Lutheran Church, 4700
Augustana Drive. 7 p.m. Free. Every
other Thurs. Call for schedule/info:
815-399-0202.
Learn Self-Hypnosis for Wellness –
enTrance Center, 5844 Elaine Drive,
Rockford. 6:30-8 p.m. $25. Call in
advance: 815-397-5901.
Yoga for Woman – Womanspace Library, 3333 Maria Linden Drive.
9:30-10:45 a.m. With Una Ryan.
Cost: $40 or $12/class, members;
$48 or $13/class, non-members.
Info: 815-877-0118.
International Student Visit Day – Rockford College Burpee Center, 5050 E.
State St. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Visit with admission representatives, financial aid staff.
Complimentary lunch. Reserve at:
815-226-4050 or 800-892-2984.
Rockford Housing Authority Board of
Commissioners Meeting – Rockford Housing Authority, 223 S.
Winnebago St. 4 p.m.
Parks Chamber Annual Meeting –
Forest Hills Country Club, 5135
Forest Hills Road, Loves Park.
Speaker Bill Rancic. Social time,
5:30 p.m., dinner at 6, program to
follow. Music by Jodi Beach Trio.
Register at 815-633-3999.
A Celebration of Fair Trade –
JustGoods, 201 Seventh St. 7 p.m.
Special program by Robert S. Chase,
president/CEO of SERRV International. Chase was founder and chairman of Fox Valley Interfaith Refugee
Resettlement Committee. Meet the
people who run the store and learn
about fair trade; store will be open.
Info: 815-964-7111.
A Ministry of Restoration Bible Study
– Montague Branch Library, 1238
S. Winnebago St. 5:30 p.m. Every
Thurs. Prayer every Tues. 6:30 p.m.
For prayer or info: 815-966-6322.
Overeaters Anonymous H.O.W. – Byron
Public Library, on Ill. Route 2. 6-7:30
p.m. every Thurs. Info: 815-547-5932.
Wine Tasting w/live music by Kelly
Steward – Cliffbreakers, 700 W.
Riverside Blvd. 6-8 p.m. $10. Info:
815-282-3033.
Public Skating – Carlson Arctic Ice
Arena & Sapora Playworld, 4150 N.
Perryville Road. Tues., Thurs. & Fridays during school year, 11 a.m.-1
p.m. Info: 815-969-4069.
“Behind the Screams” Lights on Tour
– Screamatorium Haunted House
& South Beloit Haunted Barn, 6512
Manchester Road, South Beloit. 79:30 p.m. Free, open to public.
Friday, Oct. 28
Rockford Fire Department Promotion
Ceremony – NIU Rockford Auditorium, 8500 E. State St. 3:30 p.m.
Open to the public.
Miller Upton Forum keynote lecture
by Nobel Prize winner Elinor
Ostrom – Beloit College, Center for
the Sciences Atrium, 700 College
St., Beloit, Wis. 7 p.m. Topic: The
June and Edgar Martin Memorial
Lecture. Info: www.beloit.edu/arts.
Flu Vaccine Clinic – Keen Age Center,
2141 Henry Luckow Lane, Belvidere.
9-11 a.m. Info: 815-547-8590.
Drop-In Storytime – Rockford Public
Library, Main Library Little Theatre,
215 N. Wyman St. 10:30-11 a.m.
Info: 815-965-7606.
Diabetes Support Group – OSF Saint
Anthony Medical Center, St. Francis
Room, 5666 E. State St. 6:30 p.m.
open discussion. Free. Info: 815395-5159.
Boo Bash – Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School
Road. 9 p.m. Info: 815-398-6411.
Tinker Swiss Cottage Paranornal Tour
– Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum,
411 Kent St. 7-9:30 p.m. One of a
series, special guest on each tour.
Cost: $15/person, reservations
preferred. Info: 815-964-2424.
Wellness for the Mind, Body & Spirit
Lecture Series: Natural Health –
Siena on Brendenwood, 4444
Brendenwood Road. 1:30 p.m. Ryan
Hulsebus, D.C. Info: 815-399-6167.
Arena & Sapora Playworld, 4150 N.
Perryville Road. Tues., Thurs. & Fridays during school year, 11 a.m.-1
p.m. Extra Friday session begins Sept.
9, 80-10 p.m. Info: 815-969-4069.
Free Scary Face Pancakes for Kids
at IHOP – All participating IHOP
restaurants. 7 a.m.-10 p.m. “Design-your-own” Scary Face Pancake
includes an oversized signature
buttermilk pancake with whipped
topping mouth and strawberry
nose, served with two mini Oreo
cookies & candy corn on the side.
Halloween hotcake!
Terror at the Mill Spook House – Corner of South Main & Meadow streets,
Belvidere. 7-10:30 p.m. Cost: $10.
Part of the proceeds benefit Habitat
for Humanity of Boone County. Info:
815-761-4200.
Saturday, Oct. 29
Craft & Bake Sale – Christian Life Retirement Center, 250 Bienterra Trail,
Rockford. 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Enjoy a
fresh cinnamon roll and coffee.
Blessing Rockford New Hope Apartment Building – 1921 Charles St. 9
a.m. Volunteer work crew from
Kingswood United Methodist Church
will clean up and rehab the apartment house. Info: 815-997-2752.
Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens
Grand Opening – 1354 N. Second
St., Rockford. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Gardens,
greenhouse, pumpkin carving, Rockford Wind Ensemble, puppet shows,
cornhusk dolls, activities. Admission:
$6 Rockford Park District/
Winnebago Co. residents, $8 nonresidents, children age 4 and
younger, free. Info: 815-987-1689.
Beginning Solar Electric Class – Illinois Renewable Energy Association,
1230 E. Honey Creek Road, Oregon,
Ill. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Info: 815-732-7332
or sonia@essex1.com.
Happy Holidays Craft Show & Expo –
St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1415
10th Ave., Rochelle. 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Approx. 30 vendors featuring handmade and specialty items. Info: 815751-8233.
2011 Symphony of Homes – Sponsored by Beloit Janesville Symphony. Five beautiful homes will be
open for public viewing from 10
a.m.-4 p.m. Live music, gift items
and bakery goods available.Tickets:
$15 in advance, $20 on day of the
house walk. Available at Visit Beloit,
JPAC in Janesville, and Edward
Jones Financials in Main Street
Square in Roscoe. Also from
Friends of the Beloit Janesville Symphony members.
Gasps and Giggles: Halloween Stories
– Rockford Public Library, Main Library Little Theatre, 215 N. Wyman
St. 11-11:45 a.m. All ages. Stories
and songs. Info: 815-965-7606.
Personal
Travel
Altars
–
Womanspace, New Dimensions Studio, 3333 Mari Linden Drive. 9 a.m.noon. Create your own design for a
portable altar. Cost: $20 members,
$25 non-members. Register by Oct.
27. Info: 815-877-0118.
Sixth Annual Festival of Fantasy –
Edgebrook Shopping Center, 1639
N. Alpine Road. 12:30-3:30 p.m.
Children ages infant to 12 are eligible. Treat bags handed out. Grand
prize of an age- and gender-appropriate Trek 20 bicycle for best costume. Registration from 12:30-1
p.m. Dragon Mania and Parade, 11:30 p.m. Costume judging and
prizes, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Free: Info:
815-226-0212.
Scary (and Not-So-Scary) Tales –
Rockford Public Library, Main Library Auditorium, 215 N. Wyman
St. 3-4:30 p.m. All ages. Tingly tales,
creepy craft, spooky film. Info: 815965-7606.
Feast of the New Waxing Moon –
Welty Environmental Center,
Beckman Mill County Park, 11450
S. County Road H, Beloit, Wis. 4-8
p.m. All ages welcome. Suggested
donation: $10/family, $5/individual.
Info: 608-361-1377 or e-mail
info@weltycenter.org.
Alpha Club Potluck – OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, Foundation
Room, 5666 E. State St. 6-9 p.m.
Gentlemen bring drinks or snacks;
ladies bring a dish to pass to serve 6-
8 people. Info: 815-633-9530.
Spooky Science – Discovery Center
Museum, Riverfront Park, 711 N.
Main St. 6-9 p.m. Creepy craft
projects for kids. Admission: $8/
person, general public; $4 /person
members. Includes all related activities as well as the Peanuts ... Naturally exhibit. Info: 815-963-6769.
Fossil Hunt – Byron Forest Preserve
District, 7993 N. River Road. Date:
Oct. 29, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Meet at
Stone Quarry Park. Register by Oct.
26. Info: 815-234-8535, ext. 200.
Third Annual 9-Pin Bowling Benefit for
Barbara Olson Center of Hope –
Park Lanes, 5318 N. Second St.,
Loves Park. 12:30-4:30 p.m. Cost:
$16 per bowler, includes 3 games
of bowling, shoe rental, door prizes,
pizza samples, 50/50 and sports
prize raffles and desserts. Kids’ activity room. Come dressed for the
Best Halloween Costume contest.
Info: 815-871-2907.
Fitness Certificate Courses – Rock
Valley College, Physical Education
Center, 3301 N. Mulford Road. “Nutritional Concepts for Fitness Professionals,” 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Cost: $129.
“Group Fitness Instructor Certification,” 9 a.m.-noon, Saturdays. Cost:
$530. Info: 815-921-3900.
Baby Express – OSF Saint Anthony
Medical Center, Foundation Room,
5666 E. State St. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. $75
per couple. Info: 815-227-2695.
Locktoberfest – Lockwood Park
Trailside Equestrian Center, 5209
Safford Road. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Visit
Pumpkin Land, the Haunted Barn
and more. Featuring Scarecrow
Days. Free admission; fees for some
activities. Pony ring/hay rides, $2;
trail rides, $22 ($24 non-resident);
Children’s Farm visits, free. Info:
815-987-8800.
Costume Party Days – Lockwood Park
the Children’s Farm Barn, ride a
pony (kids age 7 and younger), get
your face painted. Food and beverages available. Info: 815-987-8800.
Comedy: Exit 99 – Paddock Hall, 1127
N. Seventh St., Rochelle. 7 p.m. $5.
Singles Together Across Rockford
(STAR) – Singles Dance, 7-10 p.m.
at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church,
3300 Rural St. Live music by Missing Links. Volleyball on second and
fourth Saturdays of each month. Info:
815-962-4279.
Burpee Explorers: Mammoths and
Mastodons - Busting Myths –
Burpee Museum of Natural History,
737 N. Main St. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Ages
6-10, must be accompanied by adult.
Pre-registration and payment required. Visit traveling exhibit “Ice Age
Mammals” and discover how these
giants were alike and how they were
different. Cost: $15 per child members; $20 per child non-members.
Info: 815-965-3433.
Japanese Flower Arranging & Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony –
Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318
Spring Creek Road. 10:30 a.m. & 1
p.m. Cost: $15/person. Reservations required. Info: 815-229-9390.
Kundalini Yoga – Lazy Dog Yoga Studio, 5428 Williams Drive, Roscoe. 9
a.m. Info: 970-485-0249.
Halloween at Krape Park – 1799 S.
Park Blvd., Freeport. 3-5 p.m. Go on
the Trick-or-Treat Trail, beginning at
the carousel. Free to attend. Hayrides, $2/person. See the Haunted
Bandshell (for 10 yrs. and younger–
not too scary). Cost: $1/person.
Weiskopf Observatory–Public Viewing – Byron Forest Preserve District, Jarrett Center, 7993 N. River
Road, Byron. Begins at dusk, every
Saturday. Free. Info: 815-2348535, ext. 216.
Arena & Sapora Playworld, 4150
N. Perryville Road. Extra Saturday
and Sunday sessions, 2-4 p.m. Info:
815-969-4069.
Supper and Show: A View From the
Pew – Grace United Methodist
Church, 3555 McFarland Road. 5
p.m. Old-time comedy with music.
Tickets: $10 adults, $5 children, includes both supper and show. Info:
815-670-5182.
Ghost Tours – Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St.
Tickets: $10/person, advanced
reservations required. Info: 815968-2722.
Haunted Theater – Starlight Theater,
Rock Valley College, 3301 N. Mulford
Road. Tickets: $8/person or $25/
family of no more than six; children in
costume receive a Specter’s Treat.
Info: 815-921-2160.
Past Life Regression Workshop –
enTrance Center, 5844 Elaine Drive.
1-5 p.m. 4 CEUs. $50. Experience
one of your past lives again. Info:
815-397-5901.
Terror at the Mill Spook House – Corner of South Main & Meadow streets,
Belvidere. 7-10:30 p.m. Cost: $10.
Part of the proceeds benefit Habitat
for Humanity of Boone County. Info:
815-761-4200.
Hockey: Rockford IceHogs vs. Peoria
Rivermen – BMO Harris Bank Center, 300 Elm St. 7 p.m. VIP (formerly
Glass Level): $27; Lower Level Sidelines: $23; Lower Level Endzone:
$20; Upper Level Sideline: $17;
Upper Level Endzone: $14; Terrace
Level: $8. Info: 815-968-5222.
Rockford Rage Women’s Roller
Derby: Heroes vs. Villains – Indoor
Sports Center, 8800 E. Riverside
Blvd., Loves Park. $10 in advance,
$15 at the door; group rates for 10
or more available in advance. Info:
815-885-1135.
Women’s Fifth Saturday Workshop
Fellowship Retreat: ’“It’s ALL In
Me!“ – Freeport Public Library, 100
E. Douglas St., Freeport. 1-3 p.m.
$10 donation. With WAY founder
Dianna Cole and “Word of Wisdom”
on Finances by Dr. Louise D. Wade.
Jewelry items available. Info: 815914-1487 or MsCSOGN@aol.com.
Sunday, Oct. 30
Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens
Grand Opening – 1354 N. Second
St., Rockford. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Gardens, greenhouse, pumpkin carving, storytelling, cornhusk dolls, activities. Admission: $6 Rockford
Park District/Winnebago Co. residents, $8 non-residents, children
age 4 and younger, free. Info: 815987-1689.
Locktoberfest – Lockwood Park
Pumpkin Land, the Haunted Barn
and more. Free admission; fees for
some activities. Pony ring/hay rides,
$2; trail rides, $22 ($24 non-resident); Children’s Farm visits, free.
Info: 815-987-8800.
Costume Party Days – Lockwood Park
the Children’s Farm Barn, ride a
pony (kids age 7 and younger), get
your face painted. Food and beverages available. Info: 815-987-8800.
Author William Kringel Book Signing – Life Church, 5910 Elevator
Road, Roscoe. 9:30 a.m. Author
shares real-life experiences from
his book, Is Your God Real? A Rational Look at God.
Halloween on the Prairie – Byron Forest Preserve District, 7993 N. River
Road. 12-4 p.m. All ages, free.
Haunted hayrides, games, food,
snake wrangler, costume contest
at 2 p.m., egg hunt at 3. Co-sponsored by Byron Park District. Info:
815-234-8535, ext. 200.
Eat, Drink and Dance to End
Alzheimer’s – Dixon Elks Lodge No.
779, 1279 Franklin Grove Road,
Dixon. Noon-7 p.m. Tickets: $10/
person or 3 for $20, includes meal
and drink. Seven chances to win 4
tickets to any Chicago game of your
choice: Cubs, White Sox, WNBA
Sky, Bulls, Wolves, Blackhawks or
Fire. Need not be present to win. 3
Bands: Candid Country, Burn N’
Bush, Eileen Quest. Kids 10 and
younger in Halloween costumes
free, kids 5 and younger, free. Info:
815-285-1100.
Farmers’ Market – Cherry Valley Landscape Center, 7711 Newburg
Road. Every Sunday in October,
11a.m.-3 p.m. Local produce,
apples, honey, baked goods. Vendors for jewelry, woodcrafts, etc.
Info: 815-977-5268.
Huntington’s Disease Support Group
– OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, St. Anthony & St. Joseph rooms,
5666 E. State St. 4 p.m. Info: 815282-0600.
Old Town Hall Museum – Davis Junction Scott Township Historical Society Old Town Hall Museum, 202 W.
Pacific Ave.,one block south of Rt.
72, corner of Pacific and Elm. Davis
Junction. 1-4 p.m.
Japanese Flower Arranging & Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony
– Anderson Japanese Gardens,
318 Spring Creek Road. 11 a.m.
& 1:30 p.m. Cost: $15/person.
Reservations required. Info: 815229-9390.
Lanes of Treats – Forest Hills Lanes,
7742 Forest Hills Road, Loves
Park. 1-5 p.m. Trick-or-treat
among the bowling lanes. Parents
will accompany children. Proceeds
go to “BVL” Bowling Veterans
League. Info: 815-645-3900.
Clean Up Rock Cut – Rock Cut State
Park. Noon-4 p.m. Sponsored by
Blackhawk Sierra Club and Natural
Land Institute. Volunteers should
bring gloves & plastic shopping bags
for trash. Meet at Concessions parking lot to check in. Instructions on
where to go will be provided. Checkin location will be set up thru 3 p.m.
for those who start after noon. Info:
815-289-1102.
Family Golf – Ingersoll Golf Course,
101 Daisyfield Road. Open practice
1-5 p.m. Admission: $1, ages 17
and younger, $3 ages 18 and older
[$1 if accompanied by youth ages
17 and younger). Park District golf
permit holders admitted free. Info:
815-987-8834.
Pine Tree Pistol Club – 5454 11th
St., Rockford. 1-5 p.m. open to the
public for general target shooting
on 2nd and 4th Sundays of the
month. Classes in firearms safety
and most events open to the public.
Info: www.pinetreepistolclub.com.
Good God Questions – Zion
Lutheran Church, 925 Fifth Ave.
9:15 a.m. Every Sun. Free. Info:
815-964-4609.
Huntington’s Disease Support Group
– OSF St. Anthony Medical Center,
St. Anthony & St. Joseph Rooms,
5666 E. State St. 2-4 p.m. Info:
815-282-0600.
N. Perryville Road. Extra Sunday session begins Sept. 11, 2-4 p.m. Info:
815-969-4069.
Terror at the Mill Spook House –
corner of South Main & Meadow
streets, Belvidere. 7-10:30 p.m.
Cost: $10. Part of the proceeds
benefit Habitat for Humanity of
Boone County. Info: 815-761-4200.
Monday, Oct. 31
City of Rockford Trick-or-Treat Hours
– 5:30-7:30 p.m. Outside lights
should be left on. Trick-or-treaters
are urged to wear light clothing or
reflective tape. Motorists should use
caution; drive slowly and carefully.
Halloween at Alden Debes – Alden
Debes Rehabilitation & Health Care
Center, 550 S. Mulford Drive. 3-5
p.m. Cookie decorating, cake walk,
mummy wrap, face painting, spider
ring toss, pumpkin painting. Children must be accompanied by an
adult. Free and open to public. Info:
815-484-1002.
Halloween at Alden Park Strathmoor
& Health Care Center – 5668
Strathmoor Drive. 3-5 p.m. Trickor-treating, costume contest, face
painting, games, snacks, entertainment. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Free and open to
the public. Info: 815-229-5200.
Trunk or Treat – Gateway Community Church, 8545 N. Alpine Road,
Machesney Park. 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Trick-or-treating among the cars
in the parking lot. Cars are decorated for Halloween; drivers will
give out treats.
Infant/Toddler CPR Class – OSF Saint
Anthony Medical Center, 5666 E.
State St. 7-9 p.m. Fee: $12.50/
person or free to those who attend
“Baby 101” or Baby Express. Info:
815-227-2695.
Chocolate City Nightlife – Bar 3, 326
E. State St. 9 p.m. Every Mon. Info:
815-621-4319.
N. Perryville Road. Info: 815-9694069.
Rockford Ostomy Support Group –
OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center,
5666 E. State St. 7:30 p.m. Info:
815-397-2514.
Point Man Ministries – Firstborn Ministries Church, 8213 N. Alpine
Road. 6:30 p.m. Veterans meet for
fellowship and prayer every Monday. Info: 815-742-1993.
Terror at the Mill Spook House –
corner of South Main & Meadow
streets, Belvidere. 5-7 p.m. Cost:
$10. This day only, kids younger
than 10 get in free and may go
trick-or-treating in the Spook House.
Part of the proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity of Boone County.
Info: 815-761-4200.
Tuesday, Nov. 1
Mushroom Dinner at Abreo – Abreo,
515 E. State St. 5-9 p.m. Four
courses at $40/person (excluding tax & gratuity]. RSVP: 815968-9463.
Edgar Cayce A.R.E Holistic & Spiritual Study Group – 1615 River
Bluff Blvd. Every other Tues. 7-8:30
p.m. Info: 815-234-2394.
Senior Computer Learning – Rockford Public Library, Main Library
2nd Floor Computer Room, 215 N.
Wyman St. 3-5 p.m. Ages 55 and
older. Beginning computer class for
the true beginner. Class meets
weekly for 6 weeks, thru Nov. 15.
Registration is required. Info: 815965-7606.
Conversational Spanish – Rockford
Public Library , East Branch Bookworm Bakery & Cafe, 6685 E. State
St. 6-8 p.m. Ages 18 and older. Info:
815-965-7606.
Family Skate – Carlson Arctic Ice
N. Perryville Road, Loves Park. 8
p.m. Info: 815-969-4069.
Adult Grief Support Group – Beloit
Regional Hospice Office, 655 Third
St., Suite 200, Beloit, Wis. 6-7:30
p.m. Info: 608-363-7421.
Kundalini Yoga – Lazy Dog Yoga Studio, 5428 Williams Drive, Roscoe.
7:30 a.m. Info: 970-485-0249.
Public Skating – Riverview Ice House,
324 N. Madison St. Info: 815963-7465.
N. Perryville Road. Info: 815969-4069.
“Get Fit After 50 ... Safely” – Rock
Valley College, Physical Education
Center, 3301 N. Mulford Road. Info:
815-921-3931.
Friends of Growth Membership Meeting – Sam’s Ristorante, 1031 Harlem Road, Loves Park. 6 p.m. Planning for holidays, sign-ups for helping and donation of cookies, discussing possibility of an endowment.
RSVP: prolixian@comcast.net.
Hockey: Rockford IceHogs vs. Texas
Stars – BMO Harris Bank Center,
300 Elm St. 7 p.m. VIP (formerly
Glass Level): $27; Lower Level Sidelines: $23; Lower Level Endzone:
$20; Upper Level Sideline: $17;
Upper Level Endzone: $14; Terrace
Level: $8. Info: 815-968-5222.
Please have your free listing in to The
Rock River Times the Thursday preceding our Wednesday publication.
Call (815) 964-9767 to report any
inaccuracies in these calendars.
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B - Broadcast
C - Cable
SATURDAY AFTERNOON, OCT. 29
WTTW + ^
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Oct. 26-Nov. 1, 2011
WREX ` #
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Bang Kitchen
B - Broadcast
C - Cable
SUNDAY MORNING, OCT. 30
B C 6:00 6:30 7:00 7:30 8:00 8:30 9:00 9:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30
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C - Cable
SUNDAY AFTERNOON, OCT. 30
B C Noon 12:30 1:00 1:30 2:00 2:30 3:00 3:30 4:00 4:30 5:00 5:30
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NFL Football Regional Coverage. (N) (S The UFC Prime- Paid Tum- Paid
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B - Broadcast
C - Cable
SUNDAY EVENING, OCT. 30
B C 6:00 6:30 7:00 7:30 8:00 8:30 9:00 9:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30
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C - Cable
MONDAY EVENING, OCT. 31
B C 6:00 6:30 7:00 7:30 8:00 8:30 9:00 9:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30
PBS News- Chicago To- Antiques
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News Ent Dancing With the Stars
(N) (S Live) (CC)
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WREX ` #
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Rock Center News
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(:01) Castle News
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0 (N)
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C - Cable
TUESDAY EVENING, NOV. 1
B C 6:00 6:30 7:00 7:30 8:00 8:30 9:00 9:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30
PBS News- Chicago To- America in
Primetime
News Wheel The Biggest Loser (N)
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5 Tactless
10 Old PC monitors
14 Restaurant chain: abbr.
15 Plantain lily
16 Musical composition
17 Indian wrap
18 Watering hole
19 Iowa State home
20 Annual extortion phrase?
23 Cul-de-___
24 Double curve
25 Approximately
29 T-shirt size
30 Soft French cheese
33 Small person of myth
34 Blue ___ (Irving Berlin title)
37 Noise
38 Golf course average
39 Mary Lincoln’s maiden name
40 Salma ___
41 Office message
42 Informer
43 Wise ones
44 Assists
45 ___ mode
46 Sharif or Bradley
47 Dancer Charisse
48 Carried on (a war)
50 Avenue-lining tree, once
51 ___ polloi
54 Carved decoration
59 ___ disease, carried by ticks
Frontline (S)
(CC)
Parenthood
(N) (CC)
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B
7
Mendelssohn
Chamber Orchestra’s
‘Mozart Meets Ravel’
set for Oct. 28
Staff Report
Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center will
present the Mendelssohn Chamber Orchestra, directed by Stephen Squires, in concert
with violin virtuoso Darwyn Apple in “Mozart
Meets Ravel” at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 28, at
Court Street United Methodist Church.
Tickets are $25 for adults and $5 for
students. Groups of 10 or more adults receive $5 off per ticket.
Apple debuted with the Detroit Symphony
at age 17. He has extensive solo and ensemble experiences in the United States, the
Virgin Islands, Europe and South America,
as well as solo appearances with many American orchestras, including those of New Orleans and Toledo, and many return engagements with the Detroit Symphony.
Apple performed for the presidential inaugural festivities in 1993. He was first violinist
with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra for
many years, and was previously a member of
The New Orleans Symphony Orchestra.
Founded more than 20 years ago by
Eleanor Stanlis, the Mendelssohn Chamber Orchestra (MCO), under the baton of
Squires, is the Mendelssohn Performing
Arts Center’s highly-respected professional
chamber orchestra. The MCO recently won
the Illinois Council of Orchestras 2011
“Chamber Orchestra of the Year” Award,
which will be presented at the concert.
To purchase concert tickets or for more about
upcoming Mendelssohn events, call (815) 9649713 or visit www.mendelssohnpac.org.
Fun at Rockford Park
District’s crown jewel
By John Gile
October fun continues at Rockford Park
District’s Lockwood Park from 10 a.m. to 4
p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 29-30.
“Locktoberfest” at Lockwood features Costume Party Days and includes hayrides,
games, a scavenger hunt, corn maze, pumpkin launch, and more in a breathtaking
setting of autumn splendor on Safford Road.
This fall, Lockwood’s staff and volunteers
have added a unique addition to the
Children’s Farm and Trailside Horseback
Riding Centre: storytelling hayrides through
the woods with bigger-than-life art displays
inspired by award-winning artist Tom
Heflin’s illustrations in The First Forest.
In honor of the “Locktoberfest” celebration,
an essay-writing contest also is under way
now through Nov. 10, for third- through sixthgrade students in Winnebago, Boone, Ogle
and Stephenson counties. Prizes will be
awarded to students submitting winning entries in two grade-level divisions: third-fourth
grade and fifth-sixth grade. In 100 to 300
words, students are to answer the question,
“How and why do I show respect for the people
and places in my life?” Prizes are provided by
area businesses and organizations. Winners
will be announced on Thanksgiving Day. More
about the contest is available at http://
www.writingworkshopcontests.com.
62 Basil and bay leaf
63 Expand, as bread dough
64 Pear variety
65 Man of morals
66 Smell
67 Fair
68 Prepares for planting
69 Color
Down
1 Leans to one side, as a ship
2 Scarlett of fiction
3 Antiseptic acid
4 Monumental
5 Opt
6 Lion noises
7 Aide: abbr.
8 Mix
9 Postage-paid encl.
10 Raccoon relative
11 Tach unit
12 Wed. preceder
13 Draft org.
21 Beer containers
22 Got a perfect score
26 Drive away
27 Vise
28 60s hairdos
29 Was in front
30 Gaslight actor Charles
31 Regrets
32 Pen contents
34 Hollow tube in a glass
35 Eucalyptus eater
36 Luggage label
37
40
41
43
44
47
49
50
51
52
53
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
Story
Amateur radio operator
Prescription drug: abbr.
Pop
Song in church
Holds tightly
DVD player button
Macaroni shape
Model Klum
Actor-director Welles
Non-reactive
Guy
Hull centerline
Approximately
Walk fast
JFK follower
Second person
Author’s submissions: abbr.
Last week’s
crossword answer:
8
B
Oct. 26-Nov. 1, 2011
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Special Advertising Section
Oct. 26-Nov. 1, 2011
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8
A
News
Oct. 26-Nov. 1, 2011
Rockford Park District leaders reflect on visions for new conservatory
By Susan Johnson
Copy Editor
With the grand opening of the new Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens scheduled for this weekend, The Rock River
Times asked Rockford Park District leaders, past and
present, for their thoughts on this new venture. We talked
to former Executive Director Webbs Norman, and the man
who succeeded him, Tim Dimke. Both were asked the same
three questions.
TRRT: What are your thoughts on the new Conservatory?
Webbs Norman: “In the short term, I think it’s a really
neat crown jewel that you can add to the many other
facilities that the Park District provides to the citizens.”
Tim Dimke: “This is certainly a major accomplishment
for the whole Rockford community and Winnebago County to
have such an amazing asset and attraction right in the heart
of our community. Over 1,600 people in our community have
made donations or invested in this facility, which shows how
important the Sinnissippi riverfront, Sinnissippi Park and
the Conservatory and Lagoon area is to all the citizens in our
community. We certainly expect that every one of our citizens
will visit this facility that the Nicholas family has so generously led in fund-raising efforts to produce.”
TRRT: What do you see as the Conservatory’s role in the
future of the Rockford community?
Norman: “I think it’s an exciting role to begin with. I
think that it’s bringing essential pride [to Rockford]. I’ve
talked to people who’ve been in the facility, and it’s the kind
of facility they say they want to invite their out-of-town
friends and relatives to. It will add to feeling better about
the quality of life in our community. It will draw people from
comfortably a 50- to 75-mile radius, and it will contribute to
our economy from that standpoint. Overall, I think it will
have a very positive impact, and hopefully, it is a springboard to doing other valuable things in the community that
will enhance the quality of our life.”
Dimke: “The overall role of the Conservatory from a
major standpoint is that it is one more tremendous asset
that the citizens of our community can be very proud of and
make them value their whole community and make it a
great asset. ... This specific area is going to be such a
tremendous facility for people to visit and spend their
leisure time. It will be tremendous as an educational
component for all the community, but especially our youth,
in energy usage, conservation, moderation of energy, green
practices, and in the area of plants, horticulture and conservation, and green and gardening practices. It will have
many components, both in recreation and in education.”
TRRT: Do you think that a marketing campaign should
be put together to co-promote the Conservatory with Anderson Gardens, Klehm Arboretum, Severson Dells, Tinker
Cottage, and La Paloma Garden (if available)?
Norman: “I think that Tim Dimke, Jody Carroll, and Ruth
Miller, who is the program manager, they’ve been looking
into all these possibilities for quite some time. I don’t know
exactly where they are, but we all believe they provide some
unique possibilities. For example, Severson Dells doesn’t
quite fit the same format as the Arboretum does. I know
they’re looking at those things. Tinker, of course, is in the
process of developing its long-range plans, which include
expanding the gardens. I don’t think that they’re probably up
to the point they’d like to be, but I think if they keep
expanding their master plan to include acquiring some
additional buildings and being able to redevelop the land [as
it was] before Mr. Tinker had to sell it, I think that once that’s
done, that will be another opportunity to provide a package
program or a coordinated program between the Conservatory and all the other facilities mentioned.”
Dimke: “Yes, and add the Nygren Wetland to that. It’s a
tremendous facility in the Rockton-Roscoe area, owned by
the Natural Land Institute. I would say absolutely, and it’s
already under way. A comprehensive program has been
developed to market all of these assets, not only to our local
citizens but to the many, many visitors we expect to have
from outside our area. We expect to have 40,000 visitors a
year just to the Conservatory, contributing over $8 million
a year to the economy. As part of that, we are already
marketing all the assets you mentioned — it’s many tour
groups and companies outside our community. They are
organized groups that go around the country. We are
already marketing them. When you go into the lobby of the
Conservatory, we have an electronic kiosk that will be
available, starting Saturday and Sunday. It has information all about the assets that you mentioned — maps and
how to get there, and we are also working closely with the
Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau on this whole
marketing strategy.”
Welcome to Rockford Park District’s newest facility, Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens ...
nounced their donation of $2,150,000 toward the Conservatory project in honor of their parents, William and Ruby
Nicholas. Aside from the generous donation from the Nicholas family, nearly 1,600 donors contributed to the Nicholas
Conservatory & Gardens Public Campaign Project.
“We are thrilled to be opening the Nicholas Conservatory
& Gardens, a tropical paradise for the community to visit
and enjoy, but there is more to look forward to,” said
Executive Director Tim Dimke. “We are looking ahead to
completely restoring the Sinnissippi Lagoon; it will once
again be a real showplace and a great source of community
pride for future generations of visitors. The men and women
of the Rockford Park District thank you for your continued
confidence and support throughout this fund-raising campaign and construction season.”
The former greenhouse was constructed in 1924 and was
in need of significant repairs. A greenhouse is a building
where plants are cultivated. A conservatory is used to
display tropical plants and displays, and can be used for
social gatherings. The original 15-foot high Greenhouse’s
purpose was to grow flowers and plants that could be used
throughout the Rockford Park District’s parks and facilities. This purpose changed as the Park District grew, and it
became impractical for the Greenhouse plantings to support the entire District. Over the years, the Greenhouse was
used to host a variety of seasonal flower shows, but the
building was not originally designed for this purpose. The
former Greenhouse will be memorialized with a rendering
and display incorporated into the new Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens facility.
Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens Summary of
Amenities:
! Indoor and outdoor gardens open to the public (year-round)
! Growing Greenhouse
! Meeting room and classroom space (available to rent)
! Tropical destination for small weddings, receptions
and catered events
! Children’s educational and play area
! Garden Gate Gift Shop
! Sculptures
! Catering kitchen
! Outdoor terrace
Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens fast facts
! Large palms and tropical trees came from nurseries in Homestead, Fla.
! Temperature inside the Conservatory is anywhere between 70 and 105 degrees
! Every plant or tree has a label with the
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Worship Services on Sunday at 10:30 am
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Put your church’s ad
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Put your church’s ad here!
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here!
Call 815-964-9767.
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Call 815-964-9767. $12/week
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$12/week
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common and Latin name
! Farthest Traveling Object: Aneityum palm from
Vanuatu Islands of the Pacific
! Heaviest Tree: Bismark Palm weighing over 6,000
pounds. (3 tons)
! Longest Installation of a Tree: Bismark Palm — 8
hours, three machines, and a dozen workers
About grand opening weekend events and activities
Opening weekend festivities will include harvest crafts
and activities for kids, fall-themed food from area vendors, and more! Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens Horticulture and Program staff will be on hand to answer all of
your questions.
Opening weekend hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday,
Oct. 29, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 30. Admission for
Rockford Park District/Winnebago County residents is $6
($8 non-resident), and all children ages 4 and younger get
in free!
Grand Opening Weekend contests: “How many pumpkin seeds in the jar?” Winner receives an individual
membership. “Name Our Frog!” — Winner receives a free
individual membership.
Grand Opening Weekend Presenting Sponsors are First
Northern Credit Union and Applebee’s. Grand Opening
Weekend Co-sponsors are Lou Bachrodt Auto Mall,
Cliffbreakers, Gensler Gardens and WREX-TV.
Don’t miss special guest Ray Villafane, pumpkin
c a r v e r
extraordinaire!
He’s been called the
“ E d w a r d
Scissorhands” of
pumpkin carving.
In 2008, Villafane
won the Food Network
Pumpkin
Carving Contest’s
top prize of $10,000.
His work has been
featured in numerous publications nationally, and he’s appeared on a variety
of TV networks. See
him in action Saturday and Sunday.
For more information, contact Ruth
Miller, Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens
facility manager, at
(815) 987-1689 or
ruthmiller@rockfordparkdistrict.org.
News
Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens opens Oct. 29
Oct. 26-Nov. 1, 2011
A
9
Photos provided
Oct. 29, 2011, the Rockford Park District opens the doors to a brandnew facility, Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, 1354 N. Second St.,
Rockford. The Park District invites you to join them for a grand opening
weekend, to help celebrate this wonderful addition to our community!
This year-round facility is ideal for business, family or community
organization gatherings, with its meeting room, classroom space,
children’s educational and play area, and catering kitchen. Nicholas
Conservatory & Gardens also continues the Rockford Park District’s
commitment to the arts with its unique sculptures. This is truly the finest
new growth concept of Rockford as the City of Gardens, including Klehm
Arboretum, Anderson Gardens, Severson Dells, La Paloma, and now the
Nicholas Conservatory. All area citizens should be very proud of the
Nicholas family and all the staff of the Rockford Park District.
10 A
Oct. 26-Nov. 1, 2011
Occupy Rockford
featured at Nov. 7 event
invariably a bond fund. That all takes work,
and takes away from whatever message you
want delivered. But there are people who
By Stanley Campbell seem to want to occupy someplace (here, it’s
Wasn’t it amazing usually in front of Chase Bank on East State
how swiftly this “oc- Street in downtown Rockford).
I think the movement is amazingly versacupation” movement
swept over the coun- tile. There doesn’t seem to be anyone in
try? Fox News is still charge, but everyone seems to have a voice.
trying to figure out However, the slogan “This is what democ“what they want,” but racy looks like” is incorrect; more accuI think a good tax in- rately, it should be “This is what a good
crease for Rupert demonstration looks like.” Democracy takes
Murdoch would help. place on voting day, once every 365 days, if
I’m going to host a we are lucky. We Americans complain about
program to analyze this at 7:30 p.m., Mon- having to put up with all these politicians
day Nov. 7, at 201 Seventh St. Because the wanting our vote, but the USA rarely gets
occupation came to Rockford! I enjoy move- 50 percent of its population to cast a vote.
Imagine if we had to vote on everything
ments that happen when I don’t have to do
anything. I helped copy some of their fliers, our politicians vote on.
Speaking of politiand I tried to give
cians, I am so disapsome advice, which
no one seems to pay Speaking of politicians, I am so pointed with the new
attention to. But I disappointed with the new Winnebago County
don’t mind, because Winnebago County Forest Preserve Forest Preserve DisBoard voting to
someone is doing
District Board voting to purchase trict
purchase that old
something radical
that old fishing hole. It was not on fishing hole. It was
here in Rockford!
If you know about any lists, or showed much not on any lists, or
the “occupation of environmental value. But it was showed much environmental value.
Wall Street,” then
skip this next para- owned by the former Sheriff, Don But it was owned by
graph. It was started Gaspirini, which gave me pause. the former Sheriff,
Gaspirini,
by some disgruntled Are the board members using our Don
which gave me
Americans who
want Wall Street ty- hard-earned tax dollars to benefit pause. Are the board
members using our
coons to be taxed at one of their good, ol’ friends?
hard-earned tax dolleast the rate of us
regular folks, and maybe even throw some lars to benefit one of their good, ol’ friends?
Anyway, I digress. The topic is Occupy
of them in jail (at least the ones who caused
this economic mess). Since then, the move- Wall Street, and how the movement is getment has taken on a life of its own, with ting support even here in little old Rockford.
I’ve invited friends who visited the Wall
meetings, arrests and demonstrations across
Street Occupation and took some good photos.
the country.
When people here in Rockford started They’ll show those photos beginning at 7:30
“occupying,” I suggested a regularly-sched- p.m., Monday, Nov. 7, at JustGoods, 201
uled march instead of an occupation. I said, Seventh St., Rockford. Free and open to the
“Keep it non-violent, even when the public (of course, munchies and donations are
teabaggers yell nasty stuff.” I suggested welcome). Jenny Tomkins, a reporter for In
using humor, recommended they try not to These Times, a Chicago newspaper, will adrant and suggested they keep the action dress the difficulties of organizing an “Occupy
kid-friendly. The more attractive, the more Chicago” movement. And I welcome good
friend and attorney Kim MacCloskey to talk
people will join. So far, so good.
Frankly, I did not expect this movement about the Occupy Rockford movement.
I also welcome anyone else to give their 2
to make it to Rockford. I was pleased Wall
Street got occupied. Those are some of the cents worth, and I would never demand
folks who got us in this economic mess, and even a nickel.
Stanley Campbell is executive director of
they are sitting pretty.
An occupation is expensive. Food, water, a Rockford Urban Ministries and spokesman
little shelter, a place to relieve one’s self, and for Rockford Peace & Justice.
Left Justified
Natural desires, medicines and food police
Guest Column
By Norman Bleed
Few desiderata (“things wanted or
needed”) outpace good health, and the subsidiary “desires” to find it, and to keep it.
And few of life’s major concerns are met by
each of us with any more hopefully helpful
tips, or presumably informed suggestions
from others.
But just as the ancient advice is far from
all bad, the very latest pearls of insight and
wisdom aren’t all good. That’s where you
come in: “Major-domo beware!” Each of us
must be responsible for his own “temple.”
Decisions, decisions.
So, I’ve been disgusted lately, observing
an unholy alliance between liberal government and liberal media. Namely, their deliberate intermingling of their questionable
propositions for our better health, with the
questionable programs for our governmental policy. Result (naturally): confusion.
Last spring, I tuned in to local radio one
Saturday morning long enough to hear a
man peremptorily blast, six times, between
pauses: “MANDATORY BIRTH CONTROL!” The topic was teen pregnancy. I
knew he certainly meant “ready, universal
availability,” but that’s not exactly what he
said. Hmmm.
In our local daily Sept. 16, a staff columnist actually whole-heartedly defended the
misbegotten attempt Texas Gov. Rick Perry
to require HPV vaccinations for preteen
girls. But worse, and as with the gentleman
above, she wasn’t sure what exactly she was
arguing for.
Her essay’s piece de resistance was her
noting, by name, the three prestigious medical organizations she said had “recommended”
the vaccine. She no doubt hoped that readers
wouldn’t notice her sleight of hand: Recommending the vaccine is, again, a far cry from
recommending that it be REQUIRED.
But probably the best example, of late, of
scary over-reach is the first lady’s nutrition
overhaul. Unlike other first ladies, who perhaps helped people to learn to read — but
didn’t tell them what they might, and might
not, read — private citizen Michelle Obama
met with Wal-Mart’s CEO, who then announced the forthcoming altering of ingredients in thousands of their grocery items. Scary.
She badmouthed the Mighty Spud, and
instantly, public school cafeterias everywhere dropped it, like a hot potato, down to,
at most, twice a week. She inspired some of
them to toy with the idea of banning brownbagging altogether — which isn’t something that nutritional “amateurs” should
try at home, anyway.
And, she helped 86 the Food Pyramid,
and launched the new icon, MyPlate, which
renders Dairy off to the side, as optional!
Grains — “the staff of life — have been
reduced to a quarter, while fruits and vegetables are now a full half of all we eat.
(Ha!) We are to pretend that sweets don’t
exist. And “Demon Lemonade” is mentioned, but only dishonorably — as in
“DON’T.” How totalitarian.
Norman Bleed is a resident of Rockford.
!
!
!
Festival of Fantasy Saturday, Oct. 29
Now in its sixth year, Festival of Fantasy
children’s Halloween costume contest and
parade will be held this Saturday, Oct. 29
from 12:30 until 3:30 p.m. at Edgebrook
Mall, 1601 N. Alpine Road in Rockford.
Treat bags to the first 150 and registrants.
Contest is open to children infant to 12
years old and is free!
Treat bags include candy, coupons and
free passes to Rockford’s favorite eateries
and such great items as a light-up yo-yo for
each child, gift of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. Prizes will be awarded to each division
from ages infant to 12 years old with a grand
prize of a brand-new, specialized age- and
gender-appropriate bicycle, courtesy of
Kegel’s Bicycle Store. A 20-foot-long dragon
will be made to appear out of nowhere, and
numerous art and craft activities will be
available to children while they wait to be
judged. Balloon Guy Billy will be on hand to
give each child a creative balloon. Face painting as decals will also be available, and there
will be music and dancing as well. Hammy
from IceHogs will make an appearance as
well as other mascots. Early registration is
advised, as there can be no guarantee how
long the costume contest will take to finish.
Registration is from 12:30 to 1 p.m. This
event is free, and major funding is provided
by the Rockford Area Arts Council and the
Community Foundation of Northern Illinois.
Tim Hughes
Rockford
!
!
!
To members of Winnebago County Board
Many years ago, our venerable American
poet, Robert Frost, wrote a poem titled “The
Road Not Taken.” It begins:
“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler…”
The gist of the poem is that life sometimes
presents us with difficult decisions and that
often a decision that is popular and temporarily rewarding is the road more easily
taken. Often, the road less traveled is more
difficult because it may be unpopular, but it
may be the more morally and ethically correct of the two.
As elected members of the Winnebago
County Board, you have a difficult decision
to make Oct. 27. Will you decide to approve
William Charles’ application for a specialuse permit to construct an asphalt plant in
the quarry on East State Street? A “yes”
vote would appear to be the most politically
advantageous position, particularly since
William Charles and some board members
have labeled this “a done deal.” Is William
Charles in a position to influence our governmental structure to that extent?
On the other hand, it has become obvious
that placement of the asphalt plant near
residential neighborhoods will be disruptive of the way of life of residents, with the
imposition of fumes, noise, traffic and decreased real estate values. A “no” vote
would not be popular with the William
Charles conglomerate, nor with some board
members, but it would be the correct moral
and ethical thing to do for your Rockford
neighbors. Will you take the road less traveled and vote “no”?
Robert Frost concludes the poem by saying:
“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
and I —
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”
Jerry Bohumolski
Rockford
!
!
!
Thanks for covering SPS Walk
Thank you for printing an article about Sh-
annon Messer and the local SPS Walk. We
had more than 100 participants and raised
more than $7,000 in donations. Suicide Prevention Services is an excellent source of
counseling, support and education for the
Rock River area. Thank you for your efforts.
Mary Tuite
Rockford
!
!
!
Property taxes raised again by
Winnebago County Board
Sept. 29, the Winnebago County Board,
under the leadership of incumbent Chairman Scott Christiansen, voted 23-3 to raise
property taxes for the second time in one
year! This time, it is 8 cents per $100 assessed valuation. Only Strathman, Pollack
and Schultz voted against the raise. Since
the Winnebago County Board seems to be
out of touch with local citizens’ financial
concerns, I, for one, think a new approach is
in order. Because of “redistricting,” all 20
new county board seats will be up for election
in the March 20, 2012, primary. Perhaps it’s
time for new challengers to run for a
Winnebago County Board rep seat. The deadline is late November, and it only takes 35
good signatures on petition forms to put
“YOUR” name on the March ballot (but get
some spares in case of signature challenges).
If you don’t like the way your rep has been
voting, maybe it’s your turn to run to represent your district. I’ve decided “It’s Time” for
me to run on the Republican ticket for
Winnebago County Board chairman. I hope
you’ll consider “voting with your feet” by
collecting your petition signatures and making Winnebago County Board something we
can be proud of. Whether motivated by patriotism or frustration, I hope you’ll stand up
for your civic duty and privilege. Let’s make
a difference. “It’s Time!”
Mike Castronovo
Rockford
!
!
!
Remember the veterans
Question: How do you, everyday citizen,
appreciate what a veteran has done for you?
You may say that you fly the flag on the
correct days, and you donate whenever you
see veterans at businesses seeking a donation from you to help their cause. Please say
you do more!
How many stand every time the flag
comes marching by in a parade? I’ve witnessed many of the people where I’m watching a parade ignore it when it comes by. But
I’ve seen a person in a wheelchair stand and
cover their heart. If you truly want to do
more but don’t know exactly what more you
can do, you could sit down with a veteran
and just listen to him tell you about his war
experiences. Or just TAKE the time to sit
down and listen to him or her. Yes, more
women are becoming veterans. How about
this! Buy a ticket to the Veterans’ Day Dinner Banquet, and enjoy the company of the
veteran, the program that many people have
worked (volunteered many hours) to bring a
program for the veterans. This nice place to
enjoy all of this is at Cliffbreakers. It will take
place on Friday, Nov. 4, with cocktails at 6
p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. We have brought a
speaker that should be enjoyable to listen to.
He is a Navy captain, who is also a lawyer
who was stationed at Guantanamo, Cuba,
and he was there when the 9/11 terrorists
were brought there for safekeeping until a
trial could be arranged. If you like turkey,
then you will like the dinner. Respect a
veteran and buy a ticket to go to this event.
Contact Scott Lewandowski at Memorial
Hall for tickets. Thank you.
Steve Tolodxi,
co-chairman
Rockford
Q
uestion of
Vote at
the Week
www.rockrivertimes.com
Have you ever experienced what you believed to be paranormal
activity?
LAST WEEK—22
RESPONDENTS:
Do the Chicago Cubs have a better chance of winning under new team
President Theo Epstein?
No 73% [16 votes]
Yes 27% [6 votes]
Commentary/Renewable Energy/News
Oct. 26-Nov. 1, 2011
A
11
Dear Winnebago County Board
Girl Scouts works to inform
Chairman and Board members girls about reality of reality TV
Guest Column
Guest Column
By Mona Marcinkowski
Fox Ridge Subdivision resident
Thursday, Oct. 27, you will cast your
votes regarding William Charles’ attempt
to obtain a special-use permit to operate an
asphalt plant that will affect a lot of residents and business owners. Some of you are
supposed to represent us, but we have not
seen evidence of that.
As an “elected” official, you have a civic
duty to represent your constituents, not your
political party or your political contributors.
As an elected official, it is also your duty to
read everything that has been presented
before the Zoning Board of Appeals, not just
what the ZBA deemed important and summarized on the opposition’s behalf.
You have all been given packets, and
within that packet, “ALL” the presentations and evidence should be in your posses-
sion but we know it has not been given to
you. Numerous board members have stated
that they have had more than “800” pages of
evidence to read. Well, if you had, in fact,
been given “everything,” then those “800”
pages would be almost doubled. Have none
of you even questioned this? You have all
been made aware of it, but yet you have
chosen to ignore this.
Is the vote you’re going to cast on Thursday evening your decision, or have you been
told what you should do for the good of the
“county”? Have you been promised political
help? Have you been promised things down
the road?
When all of us were young, we couldn’t
wait to get away from our parents and
relished the day when no one could tell us
what to do. You are now grownups, but yet
you are still allowing certain individuals to
tell you what to do. When do you step up to
the plate and become the politician you
proclaimed you wanted to be?
Opinion of county’s asphalt plant ...
Reply from Property Owner and Taxpayer
study of poisons and their effects), is a
Billie D. Mills
Dear Winnebago County Chairman and
highly-paid expert witness that travels the
Board members,
U.S. testifying for asphalt plant owners.
I am sure she made a good case that the
It never ceases to amaze me how our politicians promise so much before they are elected,
fumes are harmless.
It is a shame that OSHA differs in that and after they get elected, all the promises
opinion!
seem to go up in smoke. Our state representaAsforpropertyvalues,WilliamCharlesfound tive didn’t even want to get involved, the
an appraiser that testified that an asphalt plant newly-elected First Ward alderman clearly
will not affect our property values. Would you states that the area is NOT in his ward, it goes
on and on and on. I remember a time when it
buy a home next to the asphalt plant?
was “BY THE PEOPLE ... FOR THE
Standards for the zoning are:
1) Not be detrimental to or endanger PEOPLE,” now it’s “VOTE FOR ME AND I
WILL TAKE CARE OF MYSELF.” So, now
public health.
2) Not be injurious to the use and enjoy- on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011, the County Board
ment of other propwill cast its vote on
the approval of an ASerty in the immediate vicinity or impair We hope that these Board PHALT PLANT in
property values.
Members have, in fact, read all the East State Street
With just these two the information they have been quarry owned by the
infamous William
standards in mind, I
can’t see how you given, but it is a shame that they Charles (we know
could possibly ap- haven't received everything. Or is this is the case, Scott
prove this plant.
it that they just want to ignore the Christiansen told a
friend that is it
The ZBA put rewhole scenario, let certain, deep close
a DONE deal). It
strictions on William
Charles, one of pocket individuals, tell them what seems that most of
which was a 10-year to do, continue on as if they are the board members
operating permit.
doing the best job for the people? that are running for
either re-election or
William Charles
another office are in
argued for longer permits stating the major investment for them, but great favor of this hazardous, toxic, carcinoin earlier meetings, they stated they are mov- genic asphalt plant in the location of Exit
ing used equipment from the Nimtz quarry so it Business 20, the main artery to Rockford and
Belvidere. Could it be that they have received
would not have to be EPA certified!
What is the benefit to OUR county, there a generous donation from William Charles???
are only three workers required to operate You know the old saying “MONEY TALKS
the plant and they already work at the AND BULLS--- WALKS.”
The ZBA (Zoning Board of Appeals) has a
Nimtz quarry! No new jobs.....
Thank you for your consideration: list of six standards for special-use permits. A
Tom & Billie D. Mills YES vote for this proposed asphalt plant is in
Rockford DIRECT VIOLATION of four of these six
standards. When this was brought up to a
Reply from Winnebago County Board
county board member, we were told that these
Chairman Scott Christiansen
standards are simply recommendations, so I
Dear Mr. & Mrs. Mills:
Thank you for your information and guess that I can recommend that my taxes be
interest regarding the proposed asphalt lowered and pay what I recommend! I wonder
how far I would get if I did half of what these
plant relocation.
Pursuant to state laws, only testimony elected officials do? We all know that we could
and evidence presented at the Zoning Board not get away with any of it!
We hope that these board members have, in
of Appeals hearings can be considered by
county board members when voting on any fact, read all the information they have been
zoning petition. Hopefully, you were able to given, but it is a shame that they haven’t
appear at a Zoning Board of Appeals hear- received everything. Or is it that they just
want to ignore the whole scenario, let certain,
ing and share your thoughts at that time.
FYI, I’m certain the County Board will deep-pocket individuals, tell them what to do,
consider all appropriate data when making continue on as if they are doing the best job for
the people? This is just like communist Russia
a decision on this petition.
Best Regards, back in the 1990s. Certain people ran the
Scott country and the rest were puppets! Wouldn’t
Scott H. Christiansen, Chairman it be refreshing to have a politician step up and
Winnebago County Board do what they proclaimed they would do! Where
404 Elm Street, Room 533 have all the good guys gone? Shame on all you
Rockford IL 61101 GREEDY GOOD OL’ BOYS!
Rockford will NEVER be the way it was.
Ofc: (815) 319-4233
FAX: (815) 319-4226 How tragic to see this BEAUTIFUL FORE-Mail: schristiansen@wincoil.us EST CITY go to the DOGS! Florida looks
www.co.winnebago.il.us sunnier every day!
Billie Diane Mills
www.facebook.com/chairmanscott
WNIJ celebrates 20th anniversary Nov. 4
Staff Report
To wind down WNIJ’s 20th anniversary year, they’re bringing NPR News
icon Carl Kasell back to town for a celebration. You are invited!
Kasell anchored newscasts “live” from the
broadcast studios in DeKalb the day WNIJ
first signed on the air in April 1991. Two
decades later, NPR News station 89.5 WNIJ
is stronger than ever, thanks to listeners.
“An Evening With Carl Kasell” is sched-
uled for 7 p.m., Friday, Nov. 4, at NIU’s
Barsema Alumni & Visitors Center, 231 N.
Annie Glidden Road, DeKalb.
Tickets are $30 per person or $50 per
couple. Your reservation includes a seat
for Kasell’s presentation, light hors
d’oeuvres and a cash bar, with proceeds
to benefit Northern Public Radio. Registration deadline is Friday, Oct. 28. Order
by phone at (815) 753-9000 between 8
a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
By Vicki Wright
CEO, Girl Scouts of
Northern Illinois
What did we see
today? And more
importantly, what
did our children
see today?
Kids today spend
upward of 10 hours
a day engaged in recreational media, and
with the advent of
laptops,
smart
phones, tablet computers, and online learning, there is a growing, urgent need to
examine what they think about what they
see. And that’s exactly what Girl Scouts of
Northern Illinois has partnered with the
Girl Scout Research Institute (GSRI) to do.
Reality TV has become staple entertainment for young people and adults alike.
According to Real to Me: Girls and Reality
TV, a national survey recently released by
GSRI, the vast majority of girls think reality
shows “often pit girls against each other to
make the shows more exciting” (86 percent).
In a survey of more than 1,100 girls around
the country, GSRI found that the most popular genres of reality TV are competition
(American Idol, Project Runway, etc.) and
real-life (Jersey Shore, The Hills, etc.). Many
girls think these programs reflect reality,
with 75 percent saying that competition
shows and 50 percent saying that real-life
shows are “mainly real and unscripted.”
While many in society might view reality
TV as a relatively benign phenomenon,
GSRI’s research shows significant differences between those girls who consume
reality TV on a regular basis and those who
do not. Of girls surveyed, regular reality TV
viewers differ dramatically from their nonviewing peers in their expectations of peer
relationships, their overall self-image, and
their understanding of how the world works.
GSRI’s findings also suggest that reality TV
can function in the lives of girls as a learning
tool and as inspiration for getting involved
in social causes.
Girl Scouting uses this research to impact
programming and advocacy efforts. For example, Girl Scouts addresses media literacy
through the new leadership journey series,
It’s Your Story — Tell It!, by encouraging
girls to examine the images they see and
reminding them that “Healthy MEdia” begins with ME. And Girl Scouts has crafted
the “Healthy Media for Youth Act” to encourage policy-makers to support media
literacy efforts.
For 100 years, Girl Scouts of the USA has
been leading the charge to serve girls across
the world. As our girls, and our world, have
changed, so, too, has our organization, tackling complex issues that impact girls’ healthy
growth and development. Today, our girls’
lives are increasingly lived in tandem with a
robust media presence. By encouraging our
girls to understand the media images they
see, we can assist them in understanding
and building relationships with their peers,
have high self-esteem, learn about health
and safety, have fun, and discover the world
around them.
Vicki Wright is CEO of Girl Scouts of
Northern Illinois.
Belief in global warming drives Europe’s...
cent. He countered that the number is 160
European Commissioner negotiator at the percent to 200 percent: warming would be 60
United Nations Framework Convention on percent to 100 percent higher than it is now if
Climate Change, “Climate change is now dark particles, such as those emitted by dirty
seen as an opportunity to deal with the coal, oil and natural gas, were not countering
carbon dioxide’s effect. Global dimming may
economic downturn in Europe.”
The consensus in Germany is that renewable also partially mask it. Greenhouse gases are
energy sources must be drastically increased. long lived; dark particles have short lives.
Holmgren believes people in Northern
Germans expect 50 percent of their electricity
lands have a much better chance to adapt to
will come from renewables in 50 years.
Sweden is an even better example, already warming than those in China, South
producing more than 44 percent of their energy America and Africa, where the warmer clifromrenewablesources.Whiletheuseofbiofuels mate with plenty of food led to large populaincreased, their economy grew 2.8 percent tions. In those regions, it can be disastrous.
Most future scenarios regarding global
annually. Their success started in 1991, when
a carbon tax was introduced. The tax is credited warming show people doing nothing. As
soon as we do somewith moving the socithing, the risks are
ety into efficient clid e c r e a s e d .
mate-friendly energy
Holmgren posed
solutions. Unfortuthree important
nately, the U.S. press
questions regarding
ignores Sweden’s succonsequences, adapcess story.
tation and mitigaIn his presentation
tion. His three imat
the
recent
portant answers are
Bioenergy Confersaving energy (we
ence, Par Holmgren,
Photo by Dr. Sonia Vogl
can save 60 percent
Ph.D., TV meteoroloof the energy we use
gist and author, dis- Control room at Lidkoping, Sweden’s bioenergy
with no change in
cussed global warm- central heating plant.
ing, its causes and impacts, and possible ways lifestyle); using new technologies (the Earth
to deal with it. His presentation of the reality receives as much solar energy in one day as
the entire human population uses in a year);
of global warming was credible.
NOAA data reveals the top 10 warm years and changing behavior (such as using less
during the period between 1880 and the energy in food production and vacations).
present were all since 2000. Both modeled and He feels that within 60 years, solar energy
observed climate change most closely aligned will be the major energy source. Bioenergy
with greenhouse gases. He showed a photo- is transitional only.
His summary statement to the audience
graph of himself standing on a ship in the
Arctic at 82 degrees north, the farthest ever was: “Knowledge is important! You are doreached by any ship or captain. In 2011 and ing something very important right now!”
Drs. Robert and Sonia Vogl are founders
2007, the Arctic, which he considers the most
vulnerable, had the least summer sea ice ever. and officers of the Illinois Renewable EnFor millions of years, the Earth had be- ergy Association (IREA) and coordinate the
tween 180 and 280 ppm of carbon dioxide in annual Renewable Energy and Sustainable
the atmosphere; it now has 390. The plan- Lifestyle Fair. E-mail sonia@essex1.com.
etary boundary is
considered to be 350.
Earth’s biosphere
can accept less than
10 billion tons annually; currently, 33
billion tons are emitted each year.
Engaging the audience, Holmgren
asked what percent
of global warming
was attributable to
carbon dioxide. Responses ranged from
80 percent to 100 per-
12 A
Oct. 26-Nov. 1, 2011
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