Index Inside - The Rock River Times

Transcription

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July 11-17, 2012
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Volume 19, No. 38
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A
The Voice of the Community since 1987
Locally owned and operated
Inside
Commentary – A5
128 N. Church St., Rockford, Illinois 61101
www.rockrivertimes.com
Online Exclusives at rockrivertimes.com
Pork industry facing financial disaster?
Left Justified: Peace prayer July 18 at Anderson Gardens
Free hearing health breakfast July 18 at Stockholm Inn
City urges residents to be aware of energy supply scams
July 19 Sip & Sail benefits Park District Foundation
Book explores unmarried couples who live together
Daily news updates, searchable archives and other exclusive content available online at rockrivertimes.com.
Rockford News
‘Sportscore III’ stirs up
controversy over easement
Vibe – B1
Skid Row discusses July
13-14 Rock’n the Valley
Vitality – C1
Stricker shooting for Fourth
consecutive win in Silvas
Fast Lane – D1
GateHouse shakeup hits Register Star
By Richard S. Gubbe
Contributing Writer
GateHouse Media has shaken
up its top management positions
in Rockford and Springfield, and
the new hierarchy has ties to
Gannett News Service and exten-
Section A:
News
! Commentary — A1, A4-A8
! News — A1-A8
! Letters to the Editor — A6
! Obituary Notices — A3
! People in Our Times — A3
! Renewable Energy — A1, A7
Section B:
Vibe Entertainment
! Crossword Puzzle — B7
! TV Listings — B7
! Vibe Calendars — B 2-B 8
! Vibe News — B1-B8
Section C:
Vitality
! Health — C1-C2
! Naturally Rockford — C2, C4
! Outdoors — C2, C4
! Sports — C1, C3
Section D:
PRSRT STD
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 397
Rockford, IL
Fast Lane
! Classifieds — D2-D5
! Fast Lane — D1, D24
! Horoscopes — D24
! Public Notices — D6-D17
! Real Estate Notices — D17-D22
! Real Estate — D22-D23
dard corporate line for Ricker of
“we are very appreciative of his
hard work and dedication, and we
wish him the very best as he moves
on to the next opportunity.”
Paul Gaier has been named genContinued on page A4 !
Tour De North End bike festival returns July 14
! Free event promotes
bicycle safety, North End
Rockford businesses
Staff Report
Rockford’s original bike festival
and neighborhood ride, The Tour
De North End (TDNE), returns for
A brand-new 2012 Fat Tire Cruiser
Bike will be one of the prizes offered
during the July 14 event.
its second year beginning at 1 p.m.,
Saturday, July 14.
The TDNE is a collaborative bicycle event created by Rockford’s
North End businesses. The goals
of the event include raising awareness about bicycle safety and the
rules of the road; encouraging cyclists and motorists to share the
road; promoting the North End as
a bike-friendly neighborhood and
a great place to live, work and
play; getting people outside, active
and learning about the bike path
system and proper riding; and having a lot of fun.
Registration for the event is free.
Begin at The Olympic Tavern, 2327
N. Main St., at 1 p.m., sign your safety
waiver,receiveanofficialTDNEPassport, and head off to the nine particiContinued on page A2 !
Roscoe News
National News
Winnebago County News
Roscoe at VFW GMO and GE under attack County board
National
sneaking in a bill that would stop should postpone
proceedings against them in court.
Editorial
landfill
Susan Johnson
The United States House of RepCopy Editor
Veterans of Foreign Wars have
a special event coming up this
month, with a Roscoe flower. The
113th VFW National Convention
will be held in Reno, Nev., from
July 21-25.
Roscoe Post No. 2955 won the
Buddy Poppy state competition in
Springfield. For years, VFW members have been selling artificial cloth
poppies as lapel ornaments, and
funds raised have gone to the national VFW. The poppies are made
by hospitalized veterans; sometimes it is part of their therapy.
One of the highlights will be a
display model of the ship USS Cole,
Continued on page A2 !
Downtown News
resentatives will consider a provision to the House Agricultural ApContributing Writer
propriations
A crusade to
Bill as soon as
make a dent in
the genetically Legal advocates have this week that
modified foods successfully won in the past would eliminate
machine and the right to halt the sale and judicial review
when trying to
prevent the creation of more planting of unapproved GMO halt genetically
genetically en- crops while the approval of e n g i n e e r e d
gineered food is those crops is under review foods in court.
Opponents of
gaining moby a federal judge.
the bill claim
mentum.
that hidden unThe backlash
against agri-business conglomer- der the framework of a “Farmer
ate Monsanto has been felt in the Assurance Provision” (Section
United States and abroad. Now, 733), the provision takes away the
Monsanto is trying to maintain its rights of federal courts to halt the
grip on U.S. food production by
By Richard S. Gubbe
Renewable Energy
Green Light Community choice aggregation
Nights party as envisioned by Paul Fenn
like no other By Drs. Robert & Sonia Vogl
! Downtown festival
provides family fun and
entertainment
Staff Report
128 N. Church St.
Rockford, IL 61101
The announcement was made
online July 9 by Brad Dennison,
vice president of publishing-large
daily division of GateHouse Media, Inc., which owns the Register
Star and Journal-Standard.
Dennison only provided the stan-
Community News
Tips for refurbishing your
aluminum wheels
Index
sive sales backgrounds.
Peter Ricker is out after serving
as publisher of the Rockford Register Star for the past two years, and
in recent times the Freeport Journal-Standard. In a quick change,
Josh Trust took over immediately.
Green Light Nights will rock
the streets of downtown Rockford
again this year Saturday, July 14.
The annual block party features
five bands for $5 and will utilize
the downtown festival site, closing State and Main streets. This
year’s event takes on a family
President and Vice President
Illinois Renewable Energy Association
Community choice aggregation (CCA) has made a big splash
on the energy scene in Illinois
with more than 250 political
units already passing referendums authorizing their government to explore the possibility of
implementing a CCA program
in their jurisdiction.
CCA allows units of government
to negotiate their own cost of electricity from suppliers other than
utilities such as ComEd. Even
though the power would be pur-
chased from another entity, the
electricity will still be delivered
over the poles, lines and transformers maintained by utilities
serving Illinois.
This approach allows local governmental units to choose what
energy they will buy for their residential and commercial members.
Communities have an opportunity
to purchase renewable energy
sources such as solar, small hydro
and biogas, avoiding the uncertainties inherent in expecting utilities and state officials to support
renewable energy and efficiency
expansion vote
Guest Column
By Paul Gorski
The Winnebago County Board
should postpone the landfill expansion vote until a new board is
in place later this year. Many good
reasons exist to postpone the vote,
but here are just three: legal, environmental and impact on economic development.
As I outlined in my guest column
“County opens itself up to a landfill
lawsuit” (May 9-15 issue of The
Rock River Times), the county risks
an unnecessary lawsuit, and the
expenses a lawsuit entails, by voting on the landfill expansion now.
The landfill expansion process
requires all testimony supporting
or opposing the expansion be presented in open, organized hearings.
However, just months before the
landfill expansion hearings, the
county board voted on two other
pieces of landfill-related legislation.
Testimony or input regarding the
landfill expansion may have been
introduced, without the opportunity to rebut or challenge the information. Allowing testimony to be
presented outside the hearing process lays the groundwork for a lawsuit challenging the process.
Waiting until a new board is in
place later this year will avoid that
conflict of interest, as the new board
is technically a different board.
Furthermore, there are still landfill odor problems. Air quality is an
The Rock River Times has been leading area media in Renewable Energy and green news coverage since 2002.
2
A
July 11-17, 2012
The Rock River Times
News
Green Light Nights party like no other
! Continued from page A1
flavor with kids’ activities in addition to
musical entertainment.
The night’s festivities begin at 5:30 p.m.
with music by Stendek. The event continues
until 11:30 p.m., with an indoor party to
follow at Kryptonite, located at the corner of
State and Main streets.
Bands include the following:
! Stendek — 5:30 p.m.: Phil Stendek is a
self-described loop artist. He performs by
recording samples of music while on stage,
which he plays on a variety of instruments,
and then playing them back as the accompaniment for his vocals and guitar work.
! Matter of Fact — 6:45 p.m.: The reggaerock band from Oregon, Ill., has performed
in and around the Oregon area and as far
away as Dubuque, Iowa, and Appleton, Wis.
! School of Rock — 8 p.m.: Young musicians from Keith Country Day’s School of
Rock show their talent.
! Unity — 9 p.m.: This award-winning,
reggae group is based in Appleton, Wis.
They treat fans to old roots reggae favorites,
along with original music blending influences of rock, roots, blues and reggae into
their own unique sound.
! Deals Gone Bad — 10 p.m.: With the
chugging rhythms of Jamaica, the energy and
emotion of American Motown, and the over-thetop pub/rock of the Pogues, Deals Gone Bad
appeals to fans of both soul and Jamaican music.
In an effort to draw more families, the
event will feature bounce houses, face painting, faux dreadlocks and henna tattoos.
Kids younger than 10 will get in free.
This is the third year for Green Light
Nights, which began as a way to showcase
the renovation of downtown’s Main Street.
Roscoe at VFW ...
which was attacked in a suicide bombing
Oct. 12, 2000, while it was harbored and
refueling in the Yemen port of Aden. Seventeen American sailors were killed, and 39
were injured. It was the deadliest attack
against a U.S. Naval vessel since 1987. The
terrorist organization al-Qaeda claimed responsibility for the attack.
Voices of veterans
The Rock River Times talked to John
Rosato, a retired Navy veteran who served
from 1944-1946 in the Asiatic-South Pacific region, and ended his service career
on Okinawa. He is affiliated with the
Roscoe, Ill., VFW, which has been incorporated since 1980.
Larry Lowry is a member of Post No. 2955.
He said: “We won the district competition; then
we went to the state VFW convention and won
that. Now we are going to the national one. We
have 50 states and Guam and other territories
that send delegates. There are also VFWs in
Europe who may send delegates.”
Service Officer George Young built the
model ship with assistance from two other
veterans. Describing it, he said: “It’s a radiocontrolled 141 scale model of the USS Cole
in exact detail. The ship is just shy of 5 feet
— about 51 inches. The background and
stuff was about 5 ½ feet wide by 4 feet deep
and on a half curve.” It includes the hole in
the ship made by the bomb.
Every year, VFW posts around the country compete to see which one can build the
best display in one of three categories —
public promotion, memorial and artistic.”
Tour De North End ...
pating bars and restaurants to get your passport
stamped (no purchase necessary).
Go to as many or as few locations as you
like. Passport stops include the following:
! The Olympic Tavern, 2327 N. Main St.;
! Cliffbreakers, 700 W. Riverside Blvd.;
! Whiskey’s Roadhouse, 3207 N. Main St.;
! Latham Tap, 2402 Latham St.;
! Mulligan’s, 2212 N. Main St.;
! North Main Tap, 1419 N. Main St.;
! Rockford Billiards Café, 1436 N. Main St.;
! The Barn, 1428 N. Main St.; and
! Der Rathskeller, 1132 Auburn St.
There is no pre-planned route — riders are
encouraged to make a few friends, and head
to as many places as they like on two wheels.
After collecting passport stamps, riders
should return to The Olympic Tavern by 6
p.m. to redeem their stamps for entry forms
— the more stamps they gather, the more
entry forms they can put into the box, and
the better their chances of winning prizes.
Prizes include a brand-new 2012 Fat Tire
Cruiser Bike (given away at 6:30 p.m.), gift
certificates, and bike safety gear such as
bells, LED headlights and tail lights.
More bike events will be held throughout
the day (slow ride, trackstand competition)
and more prizes from Kegel’s, Planet Bike,
Spoke Monkey Cyclery, Mrs. Fisher’s Po-
“Green Light Nights has proved hugely
successful. This is a great way to enjoy a
summer evening and celebrate downtown
Rockford. It’s the kind of entertainment
both kids and adults can enjoy,” said
event organizer and Kryptonite owner
Chris Wachowiak.
Green Light Nights caps off an evening of
events that include the Fourth Annual Gordon Ferguson Yackle’s .1 Run (from Octane to
Kryptonite) Against Parkinson’s, and a giant
Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament. Registration for the run starts at 3:30 p.m. in front of
Kryptonite. The two-minute run begins at
5:05 p.m., and the Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament will immediately follow.
Green Light Nights is one of several events
begun in the last three years, including
Friday Night Flix and Rockford City Market, designed to help spur development in
downtown Rockford.
“An amazing transformation is taking
place in downtown Rockford and Green
Light Nights is part of that change,” said
RACVB President/CEO John Groh. “Each
time we have a successful event like this
downtown, it brings people into the heart of
the community and creates a vibrant atmosphere. This brings about real change to our
community and makes us more attractive
to both locals and visitors.”
The Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is a private, nonprofit organization that champions efforts to promote
and further develop the Rockford region as
an overnight visitor destination. RACVB
generates positive economic impact for the
community through investments in tourism marketing, sales, promotion and advocacy. Visit www.gorockford.com.
The suicide bombers approached in a small
craft, saluted the ship, and then set up the
explosion,” explained Young. “What I tried to
do is portray the ship in that harbor just
moments after the attack. We made a broadcast from the day of the attack that plays in
the background. It ends with the playing of
‘Taps.’ On the display are the photos we’ve
memorialized ... it’s like a monument walkup. We were kind of concerned that it’s really
been heavily overlooked because after Sept.
11, 2001, people kind of forgot what we did.
The fact is, it was a U.S. warship, and not
much was done. ... We also promote it to help
veterans and active military. Our goal is to
use it to assist them. ...
“We want to get veterans to get involved.
We are still committed to that purpose. If
anyone out there wants to get involved with
the VFW, please give us a call. We will also do
a display at Veterans Memorial Hall in Rockford and other places in the community.”
Sr. Vice Commander Bill Graves is the
poppy chairman. He encourages anyone
who would like to help to contact the post at
(815) 623-7663. “We are looking for donations to cover the cost of sending the USS
Cole display to Reno,” he said. They also
need more veterans to get involved, especially more recent ones. “We really want
Iraq and Afghanistan veterans to participate and join either the VFW or the American Legion,” he said. “It helps everybody —
the guys that are still in the field and the
veterans. We keep in touch with veterans’
benefits and the changes that happen. I’m
a Vietnam veteran — that was 40 or 50
years ago. A lot of things changed. They
need to stay current with their benefits.”
tato Chips and others.
Last year was the first TDNE, and for a
first-time event, it was an overwhelming success. More than 250 people registered, rode
around Rockford’s North End, patronized local businesses, and helped raise bicycle safety
awareness. Given the community, neighborhood and business support received, this year’s
turnout is expected to nearly double.
Rockford is already a bike-friendly place
to live, and with gas prices hovering around
$3.75 per gallon and more bike lanes being
installed in Rockford every year, the number of cyclists on the road will only increase,
as it has in many other cities.
Too often, Rockford cyclists use the wrong
lane, drive the wrong way on the road, or fail
to use helmets and bike lights. Conversely,
many motorists aren’t aware cyclists are
allowed to use the roadway and that they
must give at least 3 feet when passing.
The TDNE would not be possible without the assistance of all the participating
restaurants and bars in Rockford’s North
End, New Belgium Brewing Company, the
entire crew at Kegels’ Bicycle Shop, Planet
Bike bicycle accessories, Rockford Ald. John
Beck, R-12, the RMAP (Rockford Metropolitan Agency for Planning), the Rockford
Police Department and all sponsors.
More information, photos from last year’s
event, and sponsorship info is available
online at http://www.tourdenorthend.com.
News
July 11-17, 2012
A
People In Our Times
Local girls win highest award in Girl Scouting
Rockford resident Ariana Munger and Roscoe, Ill., resident Genevieve Philipp were
among the 22 Girl Scouts in northern Illinois who earned the Girl Scout Gold Award in
2012. The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest award a Girl Scout can earn.
For her Girl Scout Gold Award Project, “Comfort Cases,” Munger created suitcases filled with
pajamas, toiletries and comfort items for the Youth Services
Bureau of Illinois Valley.
“Living in the Rockford area since elementary school has
opened my eyes to the unfortunate situations young children
deal with on an everyday basis,” Munger said. “Children are
exposed to domestic violence, inadequate food and shelter,
and a sheer lack of money that result in them being removed
from their homes with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
This led me to impact these children’s lives for the better.”
Philipp’s Girl Scout Gold Award Project, “AmeriGenevieve Philipp
Ariana Munger
can Spirit,” involved Philipp creating and leading
a three-day patriotic camp that taught leadership to boys and girls ages 5-10.
“I chose this project because I felt there needed to be a camp for the community that had
older kids teaching those younger than them about values and qualities of people that make
the community stronger,” says Philipp.
Munger and Philipp were honored for their accomplishments June 10 at a Young Women of
Distinction event hosted by the Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois. Philipp also received a Girl Scout
Ambassador Scholarship at this event, alongside three other Ambassador Scholarship recipients,
Alexandria Munger of Rockford, Annalyssa Fordell of Rockton and Sara Cortez of Roscoe.
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 2012
Staff - The Rock River Times, Inc.
EDITOR & PUBLISHER
PUBLISHER:: Frank Schier | ASSISTANT EDITOR: Brandon Reid | COPY EDITOR/VIBE CALENDAR CONTACT:
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Ubersox | PRODUCTION MANAGER: Jeff Helberg | TYPESETTER: Jon Bystrom | ACCOUNTING MANAGER: Lynda M. Bolin
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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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ACCURACY AND FAIRNESS: The Rock River Times strives for accuracy and fairness. If you spot any inaccuracies in any
of our stories, please notify our editors as soon as possible.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE: All material herein is the sole property of The Rock River Times. No reprint, reproduction or other use
of any of the materials contained herein is permitted without the consent of the publisher or his duly appointed representative.
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.
noon Classified advertisements must be received by noon
Thursday for the following Wednesday issue. Classifieds must be paid in advance. Legal Notices due Friday by 5:30 p.m.
Although 4 p.m. Friday is preferred, Legal Notices must be received by 5:30 p.m. Friday for the following Wednesday issue.
AFFILIATIONS: The Rock River Times is a proud member of the following organizations:
SwedishAmerican presents Quality Awards
SwedishAmerican Health System recently presented Henry C. Anderson Quality Awards, the
organization’s highest expression of distinction and appreciation, to two recipients. Both were recognized for their contributions to the organization’s pursuit of quality excellence.
Dr. Prakash Pedapati, Radiation Oncology — Dr. Pedapati has been
with SwedishAmerican for more than 31 years and has exemplified quality
and service excellence for Oncology Services. He has dedicated his time both
personally and professionally to ensure the cancer program moves forward.
As chairman of the Institutional Review Board, he has spent much time
reviewing each clinical trial that was submitted to the committee and ensuring the organization’s clinical trial program is in compliance with regulatory
bodies. Dr. Pedapati also takes time to review each clinical trial to ensure it is
safe and appropriate for SwedishAmerican Health System. He spends many
hours in his spare time completing this process. He was instrumental in
starting the prostate seed implant and Mammosite programs for the Re- Dr. Prakash Pedapati
gional Cancer Center. He completed additional training and worked with the physicists, surgeons
and radiation therapist to develop these programs as a standard of care.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Team — The second Henry C. Anderson Award for
Quality recipient is the EMS Team. This diverse group of 19 individuals united to evaluate the
organization’s Paramedic Education program to become nationally accredited by the Commission
on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). This process included establishing tools to specifically measure the effectiveness of the program’s faculty, support personnel, curriculum, clinical and field internship
and learning resources. SwedishAmerican
Hospital’s EMS Program was the second in the
state of Illinois to receive this recognition.
In addition to the national accreditation, the
SwedishAmerican EMS System sought out an
educational partner that could provide an associate degree program as an option for students
in this region. A partnership was formed with
The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Team
Highland Community College in Freeport, Ill.,
in 2010. SwedishAmerican EMS employees invest a minimum of 1,000 hours of training in each
paramedic student enrolled in the program.
EMS Team members include Richard Robinson, Tom Pratt, Linda Edmunds, Brian
Murphy, Tonja Radford, Steve Kirschbaum, Penny Lentz, Michelle Messley, Mike
Riley, Chad Moe, Trent Brass, Carla Heitter, Jeff Hoster, Will Backus, Chad Thompson, Ann Gantzer, Catherine Lewis, Dr. John Underwood and Dr. Michael Polka.
Obituary Notices
Charles Doyle, 69, Rockford, 7/2/12
Ruth Aitken, 92, Rockford, 7/2/12
Judy Smith, 69, Rockford, 7/2/12
Stella Baliga, 93, Rockford, 7/2/12
Marian Peters, 100, Rockford, 7/2/12
Barbara Lowery, 83, Rockford, 7/2/12
Thomas Condon, 88, Rockford, 7/2/12
Nedeljko Kuljanin, 72, Rockford, 7/2/12
Wilma Ames 79, Rockton, 7/2/12
Ted Roell, 95, Rockford, 7/2/12
Rickie Taylor, 52, Rockford, 7/3/12
John Harwick, 53, Rockford, 7/3/12
Marilyn Lind, 68, Rockford, 7/3/12
Marilyn Schryver, 79, Rockford, 7/3/12
Joseph Ferrouillet, 3 days, Rockford, 7/3/12
Joan Carlson, 79, Rockford, 7/3/12
Hamae Rawhoos, 75, Rockford, 7/4/12
Jewel Nielke, 82, Rockford, 7/4/12
Hazel Sandberg, 83, Rockford, 7/4/12
Angel Vasquez-Leal, 50, Loves Park, 7/4/12
Adrian Like, 61, Rockford, 7/4/12
Dearthur Johnson, 51, Rockford, 7/4/12
Wilbur Sphere, 89, Rockford,
7/4/12
Carlos Velarde, 58, Rockford,
7/4/12
Jerome Box, 31, Rockford, 7/
4/12
Kristen Cunningham, 50,
Rockford, 7/5/12
Lucille Johnson, 93, Rockford, 7/5/12
Mildred Kay, 88, Rockford,
7/5/12
Jacob Leithauser, 20, Rockford, 7/5/12
Curvin Kropf, 15, Rockford, 7/5/12
Chuang Cheng, 83, Rockford, 7/5/12
Richard Lenburg, 69, Rockford, 7/6/12
Cornie Youngblood, 69, Rockford, 7/6/12
Helen Odorski, 95, Rockford, 7/6/12
Sandra Golden, 21, Rockford, 7/6/12
Ruth Dewitt, 52, Rockford, 7/6/12
Ralph Billingham, 88, Rockford, 7/6/12
John Rudnicky, 65, Rockford, 7/6/12
Susan Anstedt, 50, Rockford, 7/7/12
Donna Quist, 82, Rockford, 7/7/12
Donald Schlaht, 65, Rockford, 7/7/12
Erwin Guzman, 47, Rockford, 7/7/12
Karen Anderson, 61, Rockford, 7/7/12
Floy Lane, 92, Rockford, 7/7/12
Jimmie Shearer, 72, Rockford, 7/7/12
Jack Brannan, 56, Rockford, 7/7/12
Regina Perry, 32, Rockford, 7/7/12
Betty Sand, 81, Rockford, 7/7/12
Zenta Galan, 79, Rockford, 7/7/12
Juan Ganzalez, 78, Rockford, 7/7/12
3
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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!
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:
Cedar & Churc
h —Think New
Church
Courthouse and Amtrak Station
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ROCKFORDSPACE.COM
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Call today 815-979-0789
NETS
P.O. Box 5124 • Rockford, IL 61125
For information:
• Clare Merwin—815-398-1653
• Alec Kaplanes—815-399-1027
www.stopasphalt.org
We have compiled and printed a 400-page
book containing information about the veterans
of the area. Military records, documents, firstperson interviews, memories written by veterans,
and news articles are included in this tribute,
along with many pictures submitted by veterans
or their families.
Copies of Stateline Area Heroes are available at
Veterans Memorial Hall, Midway Village, and the
Command Post Restaurant/Camp Grant Museum in
Rockford, and at the Talcott Free Library in Rockton.
Call 815-629-2210 or 815-624-8200 for further
information.
4
A
Commentary/News
July 11-17, 2012
The demerits of an unmerited Animal Services announces Golden
Whiskers adoption program
teacher pay system
Guest Column
By Tim Hughes
After reading Amy Orvis’ June 27 guest
column, I have no doubt she’s a dedicated
teacher and a blessing to her students. Her
passion shows through her writing, but
when she dances to the music the education
establishment uses to muddy the waters of
accountability, I take issue with her.
She decries the apparent evils merit pay
would create and cites one of the education
establishment’s favorite targets: “teaching
to the test.” Consider that alleged evil as it
applies to a classic example of “teaching to
the test,” one with which we are all familiar
— the state driver’s license exam. That’s
certainly teaching to the test, and how many
adolescents flunk that one? Orvis claims
teaching to the test “crushes innate creativity”; just how, she doesn’t explain. Are we to
believe a driver-eligible teen will say, “Gee,
I’d like to get my driver’s license so I can
hang with my friends, but that state driver’s
license manual sure teaches to the test and
might crush my creativity. Guess I better
walk or take a bus.”
And isn’t that teen victimized by Orvis’
hypothetical abusive uncle, instead of being
traumatized to the point of paralysis by the
experience, going to let teaching to the test
get in the way of a driver’s license that
might make him independent of that uncle?
What is worth learning is worth testing, and
Staff Report
Apgar, WCAS adoption coordinator, said.
Winnebago County Animal Services “We are hoping the Golden Whiskers se(WCAS) has announced the Golden Whis- nior adoption program will give them the
kers adoption program for senior cats and chance they deserve.”
senior dogs 7 years or older.
With an older cat or dog, you pretty
Any qualified adopter 18 years or
much know what you are getting as
older can adopt a Golden Whisfar as physical appearance and
kers cat for $20 or dog for $55,
size, activity level, personalwhich is 50 percent off the
ity and sociability. Many senior cats and dogs are already
regular adoption fee. The
Golden Whiskers adoption propotty-trained and not as messy
gram started July 2, and reor destructive as puppies or kittens. They don’t demand as
places the Senior to Senior
adoption program.
much of your time, although
John Boy, Cooper, Larry
they still need quality attention and exercise.
Bird, Zana, Healthcliff and
Albert are some of the seSenior cats and dogs often
Photo courtesy of dog-trainingnior cats and dogs looking
problems.maxupdates.tv make great companions for
older residents who don’t have
for homes. All adoptions include a one-year vaccination for distemper the stamina for a younger, energetic kitten or
and rabies, a microchip, spay/neuter, a one- puppy. Some older dogs may already know
year Winnebago County rabies tag, worm- tricks like sit, stay and come.
If you are interested in adopting a pet,
ing, a free wellness exam and a bag of food.
“It’s a shame that so many senior pets visit WCAS at 4517 N. Main St., or see
are often overlooked in shelters,” Donna adoptable pets at www.wcasrock.org.
GateHouse shakeup hits Register Star
eral manager and director of sales operations for both newspapers.
Both Gaier and Trust have had Gannett
as a previous employer.
Trust joined GateHouse in 2009 as an advertising director. Most recently, he served as
group publisher for GateHouse’s New York
newspapers, Messenger Post Media. He reportedly has a digital revenue background.
Trust began his career as a print media
buyer at Marc Advertising in Pittsburgh
and held management positions at Block
Communications’ Toledo Blade, Gannett
and Times-Shamrock Communications.
Gaier joined GateHouse in early 2012 as
advertising director of the Journal Star in
Peoria. In his new position, Gaier will oversee
revenue-producing functions, which will include running the Register Star sales department, along with overseeing commercial print
strategy and development. The Journal-Standard will fall under his domain.
Gaier spent six years as the regional
advertising director for Gannett Wisconsin.
His career began in 1989, and he spent his
first two years as a sales executive at the
Shawano (Wis.) Evening Leader. After that,
he spent seven years as a sales executive at
The Sheboygan (Wis.) Press.
He served in Oshkosh and The Post Crescent in Appleton from 2003 to 2005. He was
then promoted by Gannett to a regional
sales management role. Gannett was a previous owner of the local daily.
Whether Ricker was shown the door or
Kids’ Physical Exams
For Just $30
couldn’t wait to run through it, the focus is now
squarely on revenue. The moves appear sudden and follow a similar ousting in Springfield.
Walt Lafferty, who has served as publisher of The State Journal-Register in
Springfield and The Lincoln Courier for the
past two years, also was ousted. Dick
Johnston will take over. Johnston began his
career in sales in Gannett but graduated to
publisher in 1987. Most recently, he was
publisher of The (Bloomington) Pantagraph
for the Lee Enterprises chain from 2007 to
2011, and he was also once publisher of The
Southern Illinoisan in Carbondale. Johnston
is a native of Janesville, Wis.
Meanwhile, GateHouse Media is trading
in the over-the-counter market under the
symbol “GHSE” at just $0.06 cents per share.
The stock traded from a low of $0.03 to $0.14
in the past 52 weeks.
In 2006, GateHouse Media, Inc., held its
initial public offering of 13,800,000 shares of
common stock priced at $18 per share. Shares
rose above to $22 in April 2007, but collapsed
in 2008 and have never been more than a
penny stock better than $0.15 in the past year.
In 2007, GateHouse Media, Inc., engaged
Wachovia Capital Markets and Goldman
Sachs Credit Partners to structure, arrange
and privately syndicate and underwrite a
portion of $960 million.
With headquarters in Fairport, N.Y., the
company runs 79 daily publications, 257
weekly newspapers, 95 “shoppers,” more
than 405 locally focused websites and six
yellow page directories across 21 states.
Vibe
B
entertainment
Page B1 - Pullout | July 11-17, 2012
Music News – B3
Music News – B4
Crossword Puzzle – B7
Grammy nominee VaShawn
Mitchell headlines Bookerfest
The Cajun Strangers play
Sinnissippi Park July 14
Can you solve this week’s
crossword puzzle?
Music News
Q & A with Rock’n the
Valley headliners Skid
Row, The Last Vegas
Legendary Rock Interviews
By John Parks
Photo by Kate Patten courtesy of wikipedia.org
Skid Row’s Rachel Bolan (from left), Johnny Solinger and Scotti Hill. The band headlines the July 13-14
Rock’n the Valley Festival.
Rock’n the Valley Friday and Saturday,
July 13-14, is the biggest festival to hit the
stateline area in years. The festival will be
at Winnebago County Fairgrounds, 500 W.
First St., Pecatonica, Ill., and will run 48
hours straight, kicking off Friday morning
and ending late Saturday night.
The camping/concert/Midwest Mardi Gras
event benefits the Wounded Warrior Foundation and will be showcasing more than 50
bands capped off by headliners Skid Row,
Warrant and The Last Vegas.
Tickets are just $22 and can be bought at
http://www.rocknthevalley.com or by calling (815) 977-5407.
Continued on page B4 !
Television News
Bad is best: Breaking Bad
returns for final season July 15
Tube Talk
By Paula Hendrickson
Contributing Writer
Breaking Bad is arguably one of TV’s best
drama series in recent years, but it’s not for
everyone. It’s a difficult show to watch — at
times it’s been downright disturbing watching Walter White (Bryan Cranston) devolve
from a gravely ill science teacher wanting to
ensure his family’s future into a manipulative drug kingpin who keeps putting that
very family in danger.
Now that his wife, Skylar (Anna Gunn), is
Dear Fellow Rockfordians,
Advocates for Progress is a team of young adults in the competition, “Be the
Change,” a program of, and sponsored by, the YMCA of Rock River Valley. With two
teams modeled after the show, “The Apprentice,” with Donald Trump, the projects we
are given challenge us to create feasible, innovative solutions for local businesses and
the community at large.
Our current project is to sell tickets for the Rockford RiverHawks. Instead of
selling tickets to individuals, we are trying to acquire donations to buy tickets for
underprivileged families. We strive to bring our community together, especially since
the Rockford RiverHawks greatly emphasize the family aspect of their facility.
Sundays at the RiverHawks stadium are Family Sundays. On July 29, the YMCA will
be offering free inflatables, face painting, Velcro wall, and a multitude of additional
family-friendly events.
Our team, Advocates for Progress (the other team, Change) is reaching out to local
businesses and individuals for sponsorship of this cause. We are in need of monetary
aid. We, along with the YMCA and Rockford RiverHawks, will greatly appreciate any
resources given. Your support will send students and families from the local area to
experience Rockford fun and community on a new level. Together is the best way to
experience America’s favorite pastime.
Thank you for your consideration.
Please Contact:
Mike Brown
CEO and President
Corporate Office
815-489-1269 P
815-987-8232 F
[email protected] E
www.rockfordymca.org W
OR:
Dominick Bennett
Project Manager
815-670-2858 C
[email protected] E
2
B
Vibe
July 11-17, 2012
Music
Upcoming Events
Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center 2012-2013 Concert Season –
Subscription packages or single tickets available. Info: 815-964-9713
or www.mendelssohnpac.org.
Rockford Symphony Orchestra: Subscriptions for RHS Pops Series available at end of summer. 2012/2012
season subscriptions for ComEd Classics Series on sale now. Info:
www.rockfordsymphony.com, or call
815-965-0049 or visit the Box Office
at Coronado Performing Arts Center,
314 N. Main St. Info: 815-965-0049.
Beloit Janesville Symphony Orchestra – 444 E. Grand Ave., Suite 100,
Beloit, Wis. Info: 608-313-1200,
www.beloitjanesvillesymphony.com.
Order Tickets for Woodsong Series –
Klehm Arboretum, 2715 S. Main St.
Next concert: BritBeat, Aug. 12.
Individual concerts $15 public, $13
Klehm members. Info: 815-9658146 or www,klehm.org.
Order Tickets for Merle Haggard &
Kris Kristofferson Concert –
Coronado Theatre, 314 N. Main St.
Date: July 26, 7:30 p.m. Tickets:
$45, $60, $75, available now at box
office or 815-968-055 or online at
www.coronadopac.org.
Order Tickets for Byron Crossroads
Blues Festival – Downtown Byron
at Union & Second streets. Date:
Aug. 25, gates open at 1 p.m. Show,
1:30-9:30 p.m. with Aaron Williams
& The Hoodoo, Harmonica Workshop w/Joe Filisko, The Jimmys, The
Cash Box Kings, Nick Moss & The
Flip Tops, Candye Kane Band. Tickets: $5 advance, $10 after Aug. 11.
Info: 779-537-4006.
Wednesday, July 11
Imagination Station – Sinnissippi Park
Music Shell, 1401 N. Second St.
7:30 p.m.
Brother K Band – Adriatic Club, 327
W. Jefferson St. 8:30 p.m. Free.
Info: 815-967-9939.
Brewsky’s Jammin’ Blues – Brewsky’s
Pub, 4414 Charles St. Open Blues
jam, 6-10 p.m. Info: 815-399-9300.
Country Night – Mandalay Lounge, 411
Mulberry St. Starts at 5 p.m.
Vinyl Voodoo – Mary’s Place, 602 N.
Madison St. 10:30 p.m. Free. Info:
815-962-7944.
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: 815633-2552.
Open Stage with Chris Johnson and
Mike Labay – Whiskey’s Roadhouse,
3207 N. Main St. 7 p.m. Info: 815877-8007.
Thursday, July 12
ByronFest Rocks the Rock feat.
Sevendust, Pop Evil, Nonpoint, Soil,
Beyond Threshold, The Last Vegas &
Wayland – Byron Dragway. Celebrating ByronFest’s 25th anniversary. Tickets $25 advance, $30 at the gate. All
tickets will include a free ByronFest
admission button for July 13-15. Order
tickets
online
at
www.showclix.com. More concert info:
815-234-5000 or [email protected].
Rocks the Rock After Party feat. Prospect Hill, Another Lost Year &
ViFolly – Bar 3, 326 E. State St.
9:30 p.m. $5 for $2.50 for those
with a Rocks the Rock wristband.
Info: 815-968-9061.
RockStaging feat. The City of Wight,
Nice Guys Finish Last, Buried in
Autumn – The House Café, 263 E.
Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb. 6 p.m. Free.
Info: 815-787-9547.
Blues – Mandalay Lounge, 411 Mulberry St. 5 p.m.
Bike Night Audio Drive– Whiskey’s
Roadhouse, 3207 N. Main St. 6-10
p.m. Info: 815-877-8007.
Open Mic – Hope and Anchor, 5040 N.
Second St., Loves Park. 9 p.m. Info:
815-633-2552.
Open Mic – Katie’s Cup, 502 Seventh
St. Info: 815-986-0628.
Open Mic – The Grove, 100 E. Grove
St., Poplar Grove. 6 p.m. Free. Info:
815-765-1002.
Open Stage – Mary’s Place, 602 N.
Madison St. 9:30 p.m. Free. Every
Thurs. Info: 815-962-7944.
Open Mic – Cronie’s Grill, 9032 N. Second St., Machesney Park. Every Thurs.
Friday, July 13
Rock’n the Valley – Winnebago County
Fairgrounds, 500 W. First St.,
Pecatonica. Six stages of music. Main
stage lineup: 5:15 p.m., Killbourn;
6:15 p.m., Blameshift; 7:15 p.m.,
Lateralus; 8:45 p.m., Kashmir;
10:15 p.m., The Pimps; 11:30 p.m.,
The Last Vegas. Tickets starting at
$25 available at Rocknthevalley.com.
ByronFest – Downtown Byron, Ill. Dates:
July 13-15. See Arts & Theater for
complete details.
Music on the Mall: Doug Fleming –
Mary’s Market, Edgebrook, 1601
N. Alpine Road. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free.
Bring your own chair.
Jodi Beach Trio – Rockford City Market, Water Street in downtown
Rockford. 3-8 p.m.
Listening Room: Sue Fink – JustGoods,
201 Seventh St. 7 p.m. Free-will
http//
donations.
Info:
justgoods.info/ or 815-965-8903.
Music on Chicago – Chicago Avenue
between Stephenson and Main
streets, Freeport. Gates open at 5:30
p.m. with Aaron Williams and the
HooDoo; Kilborn Alley Blues Band at
8 p.m. Admission: $5. Food vendors
and beer garden. Must be 21 or
older or accompanied by a legal adult.
Lyle Grobe and the Rhythm Ramblers
– Band Shell, Village of Mt. Morris. 79 p.m. Country music.
Pistol Pete – Adriatic Club, 327 W.
Jefferson St. 9:30 p.m. Info: 815967-9939.
Billy Youngblood and The Smokin’ Gorillas w/Sum of Souls and Stone
Sober – Bar 3, 326 E. State St. 9:30
p.m. $7. Info: 815-968-9061.
Prime Time Live – Big Al’s Bar, 610 N.
Bell School Road. 9 p.m. Free. Info:
815-398-6411.
Mike Williamson Trio – Butterfly Club,
5246 E. County Road X, Beloit, Wis.
7 p.m. Info: 608-362-8577.
Firelit Dimmers – Hope and Anchor,
5040 N. Second St., Loves Park. 7
p.m. Also, Psychic readings with Denise
Guzzardo. Free. Info: 815-633-2552.
Liquid Karma presents Lake Shore Vibe,
E.G.I., Jaik Willis, Trevor Clark – The
House Café, 263 E. Lincoln Hwy.,
DeKalb. 7 p.m. Info: 815-787-9547.
Butt Funnel, King of the Demons,
Kitty Rhombus – Kryptonite Bar,
308 W. State St. 9 p.m. $5. Info:
815-965-0931.
’80s Music – Mandalay Lounge, 411
Nominate the King – Mary’s Place,
602 N. Madison St. 9:30 p.m. Info:
815-962-7944.
Smokin’ Gunz -- Take 20, 438 Bypass
U.S. 20, Cherry Valley. 9 p.m. Info:
815-332-9920.
Patchwork & Ominus Gray – Whiskey’s
Roadhouse, 3207 N. Main St. 9
p.m. Info: 815-877-8007.
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: 815-394-0077.
DJ – Brewsky’s, 4414 Charles St. 9
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 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: 815-544-6677.309
Saturday, July 14
Rock’n the Valley – Winnebago County
Fairgrounds, 500 W. First St.,
Pecatonica. Six stages of music. Main
stage lineup: 10 a.m., Shuvlhed;
10:45 a.m., Galeforce; 11:30 a.m.,
Lynch; 12:15 p.m., Broken; 1 p.m.,
Paragon; 1:45 p.m., Hessler; 2:30
p.m., Losing Scarlet; 3:15 p.m.,
Veilside; 4 p.m., Slam Bang; 5 p.m.,
Dirty Deeds; 6:15 p.m., Blackened;
7:45 p.m., The Last Vegas; 9 p.m.,
Trixter; 10 p.m., Warrant; 11:45
p.m., Skid Row. Tickets starting at
$25 available at Rocknthevalley.com.
Sinnissippi Summer Series: The Cajun
Strangers – Sinnissippi Park Music
Shell, 1401 N. Second St. 7:30 p.m.
Free. Info: 815-964-2238.
Wes Lee K – Josiah’s Place Coffeehouse, 310 State St., Beloit, Wis. 7
p.m. Original Contemporary/Rock
from Chicago. Info: 608-365-0365.
Charles Walker Band – Adriatic Club,
327 W. Jefferson St. 9:30 p.m. $5.
Info: 815-967-9939.
Iron Cross – Backstop Bar & Grill,
1830 Union Ave., Belvidere. 9:30
p.m. No cover. Info: 815-547-8109.
The Ritual – Best Dam Bar, 13963
Best Road, Davis, Ill. 9 p.m.
Missing Links – Big Al’s Bar, 610 N.
Bell School Road. 9 p.m. Info: 815398-6411.
Mike Williamson Trio – Butterfly Club,
5246 E. County Road X, Beloit, Wis.
7 p.m. Info: 608-362-8577.
Southern Charm – The Grove, 100 E.
Grove St., Poplar Grove. 8:30 p.m.
Hyperflo – Hope and Anchor, 5040 N.
Second St., Loves Park. 9 p.m. Info:
815-633-02552.
Early Show: Truman’s Ridge Cold, Cold
Feeling CD release party, 1 p.m. –
The House Café, 263 E. Lincoln Hwy.,
DeKalb. Late Show: Chase Aways
CD release show w/special guests
The Reserve, 314 on MainStreet,
Crybaby & Freak Con. 7 p.m. Info:
815-787-9547.
Country Night – Mandalay Lounge, 411
As I Burn – Mary’s Place, 602 N. Madison St. 9:30 p.m. Info: 851-962-7944.
Pablo & the Rhythmix – Shooter’s Bar
& Grill, 4007 E. State St. 9 p.m. Free.
Info: 815-399-0683.
Soul to Soul – Shooter’s Bar & Grill
North, 7742 Forest Hills Road, Loves
Park. 9 p.m. Info: 815-654-3901.
Pistol Pete – Take 20, 438 Bypass
U.S. 20, Cherry Valley. 9 p.m. Free.
Info: 815-332-9920.
Free Time – Town Hall Lounge, 5624
N. Second St., Loves Park. 9 p.m.
Info: 815-636-9996.
The Crave – Whiskey’s Roadhouse,
3207 N. Main St. 9 p.m. Info: 815877-8007.
Open Mic – Take 20, 438 Bypass U.S.
20, Cherry Valley. 8 p.m. Info: 815332-9920.
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, July 15
Domingo en el Parque – Levings Park,
1601 Johnston Ave. 3-7 p.m.
The Sometimes Family w/A Creative
Music Matinee – The House Café,
263 E. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb. 6 p.m.
Info: 815-787-9547.
Open Mic – Take 20, 438 Bypass U.S.
20, Cherry Valley. 8 p.m. Info: 815332-9920.
Benefit for Larry Borrison featuring
Sweet Lucy – Whiskey’s Roadhouse,
3207 N. Main St. 2 p.m.-close. Pasta
dinner, all you can eat, $6.99. Info:
815-877-8007.
Monday, July 16
Bun E. Carlos and the Monday Night
Band – Adriatic Club, 327 W.
Jefferson St. 7 p.m. $5. Info: 815-
967-9939.
Vinyl Voodoo – Mary’s Place, 602 N.
Madison St. 10:30 p.m. Free. Info:
815-962-7944.
Karaoke with Bob – Whiskey’s Roadhouse, 3207 N. Main St. 9 p.m. Info:
815-877-8007.
Tuesday, July 17
Concert Conversations: Steve Spurgin
& Dan Crary – Emerson House,
420 N. Main St. 6 p.m. $10 seating
is limited to the first 80 people who
arrive. Info: 815-964-2238 or
www.Snapshotmusic.com.
Antony & The Tramps – Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek
Road. Gates open at 5:15 p.m., music
at 6:30. Free. Info: 815-229-9390.
Street Corner Blues – Nikki’s Café, 431
E. Grand Ave., Beloit, Wis. Street Corner Blues every Tuesday, 7-9 p.m.
Open Stage – Mary’s Place, 602 N.
Madison St. 9:30 p.m. Info: 815962-7944.
Barb City Swing Connection – The House
Cafe, 263 E. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb. 7
p.m. $5. Info: 815-787-9547.
Karaoke – Kryptonite Music Lounge,
308 W. State St. Info: 815-9650931.
Classic Night – Mandalay Lounge, 411
Karaoke with Bob – Whiskey’s Roadhouse, 3207 N. Main St. 9p.m. Free
pool. Info: 815-877-8007.
Have your free listing in the Thursday
preceding our Wednesday publication. Listings can be e-mailed to
[email protected] ,
faxed to 815-964-9825 or called
in to 815-964-9767.
Arts & Theater
Ongoing Attractions
Age Quake Theatre – Plays for and
about those 55 and older performed
in the greater Rockford area. Info:
815-398-8090.
Alan and Adrianne St. George Center
for the Arts – 800 Chicago Ave.,
Savanna. Info: 815-244-2035, 815273-3900, 815-273-7262.
Artists’ Ensemble – Rockford College
Cheek Theatre, 5050 E. State St.
Info:
815-904-2277
or
www.artistsensemble.org.
ArtSpace West Gallery – 1426 N.
Main St. Wed.-Sat., noon-6 p.m. Now
exhibiting: Realism or Not. Thru July
28. Info: 815-963-1894.
Vibe
Grammy nominee to
headline July 20-22
Bookerfest at Davis Park
Staff Report
Clinic — Youth Skills & Drills for grades 3 and
VaShawn Mitchell will headline the three- younger; a 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament for
day Bookerfest festival, which runs Friday- boys and girls grades 4-8 (application reSunday, July 20-22, at Davis Park, 320 S. quired); Coupes & Cruisers motorcycle showWyman St., downtown Rockford.
case; and Sound Stage performers in famous
Mitchell, who takes the stage at 5 p.m., Dance Team, Fatally Unique, Propa Intro,
Sunday, July 22, is a Stellar
CG, Will Inspire and Major.
Award-winning gospel reClosing out Bookerfest at
cording artist and Grammy
8 p.m., Saturday, July 21, is
comedian Nephew Tommy
nominee. He is best known
for his hit single, “Nobody
from the syndicated Steve
Greater,” and the prophetic
Harvey Morning Show.
Tommy will bring the laughs,
“My Worship is For Real.”
Tickets for Mitchell’s conas well as his famous prank
cert go on sale Friday, July
calls, and material from his
latest CD titled Church Folk
13, and are available at
Booker Washington CommuGotta Laugh Too. VIP ticket
nity Center, 524 Kent St.,
holders can enjoy a special
lounge before the show and
Rockford. Cost is $10. The
an exclusive after party with
community center can be
reached at (815) 962-9117.
Nephew Tommy. Tickets are
on sale at BMO Harris Bank
Bookerfest tickets are $5
Center, 300 Elm St., or by
at the gate or $3 in advance
at Booker Washington Comphone at (815) 968-5600.
munity Center, BMO Harris
Festival hours Sunday, July
VaShawn Mitchell
22, are 1 p.m. until movie time.
Bank Center box office or all
Rockford-are Fifth Third Bank locations.
Featured attractions include Kidz Zone and
For more than 20 years, Booker Washing- vendors open all day; Coupes & Cruisers Old
ton Community Center has presented Skool Car Show; and Sound Stage performers
Bookerfest, a weekend festival filled with VaShawn Mitchell, Boyce Hudson, Justifyed;
Justin Francis; DJ Neal; Carl Hanserd &
entertainment and fun for all ages.
The festival kicks off with the Friday Friends, and People, Places & Time. Harlan
Night Flix movie presentation of Trans- Jefferson and his band, So So Tight, will headformers. The event is free and begins at line the night beginning at 7 p.m. Featured
dusk Friday, July 20. Free popcorn will be movie starting at dusk is Think Like a Man.
Admission to the movie is free for Bookerfest
distributed to the first 1,000 guests.
The festival runs noon-6 p.m., Saturday, ticket holders and $5 for non-ticket holders.
For more about Bookerfest, visit
July 21. Kidz Zone and vendors will be open all
day. Other attractions include a Basketball www.bookerfest.com.
Steve Spurgin & Dan Crary in
Concert Conversations July 17
Staff Report
Snapshotmusic will present Steve
Spurgin and Dan Crary in the latest installment of the series “Concert Conversations” at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 17, at
Emerson House, 420 N. Main St.
The mission of Concert Conversations is
to give the artist a comfortable (and acoustically delicious) space with professional sound
and lighting in which to share with an
attentive and intelligent audience, the pasContinued on page B5 !
July 11-17, 2012
! Continued from page B2
Beloit Fine Arts Incubator – 520 E.
Grand Ave., Beloit, Wis. Mon.-Fri., 10
a.m.-2 p.m. Other hours by appointment. Info: 608-313-9083.
Bliss Beads Studio & Gallery – 161 E.
Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb, Ill. Weekly
classes in bead jewelry making,
silversmithing and flamework glass.
Regular hours: 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Mon.Sat. Info: 815-517-0164.
Bonzi Productions Theatre Group –
Family theater, plays, musicals. Info:
815-394-8987.
Byron Civic Theatre – 850 N. Colfax,
Byron. Coming July 27: Oklahoma!
Info: 815-312-3000.
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.
DeKalb Area Women’s Center – 1021
State St., DeKalb. Info: 815-758-1351.
District Bar & Grill – 205 W. State St.,
Rockford. Art exhibit from Kortman
Gallery includes paintings, prints,
mixed media, photography. Art with
an urban theme.
Ingrid Dohm Studio Gallery – 839 N.
Perryville Road. Appointments/Info:
815-519-6492.
The Fireside Theatre – Fort Atkinson,
Wis. Coming July 12: The Rock &
The Rabbi. Tickets/Info: 800-4779505 or www.firesidetheatre.com.
Found It! Gallery – 107 Monroe St.,
Genoa. After school arts & crafts from
3:30-4:30 p.m. Tues.-Fri. for kids ages
3-14. Cost: $3 if you sign up at least
the day before, $5 drop-in, $10 for all
four days. Info: 815-601-2375.
Freeport Art Museum –121 N. Harlem
Ave., Freeport. Tues.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5
p.m.; Sat., noon-5 p.m. Exhibiting May
26-Aug. 11: “It’s Only Natural.” Celebrating nature in art, 40 works of
art in diverse media. Now offering
summer art studio classes for ages
7-17, Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-noon, except
Drawing for Teens, 2-4:30 p.m. Info:
815-235-9755.
Freeport/Stephenson County Visitors
Center – U.S. 20, east of Freeport. 8
a.m.-6 p.m. Info: 815-233-1357.
Funktional Arts – 412 N. First St. Furniture & sculpture. Info: 815-969-7942.
Galena Artists’ Guild Gallery – 324
Spring St., Galena. Thurs.-Mon., 10
a.m.-5 p.m. Info: 815-777-2870.
The Gallery At JustGoods – 201 Seventh St. Now exhibiting: Tom Lamb
photography. Info: 815-965-8903.
Charlotte Hackin Art Studio & Gallery
– 6278 Brynwood Drive. Info: 815639-1318.
Kortman Gallery – 107 N. Main St. Mon.Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Exhibiting now:
“Always hungry,” John Bell, abstract
art. Thru July 21. Info: 815-968-0123.
Tom Littrell Design & Art Studio –
317 Market St., Rockford. Info: 815519-5288.
Main Street Players of Boone County
– Community Building Complex of
Boone County, 111 W. First St.,
Belvidere. Info: 800-741-2963 or
mainstreetplayersofboonecounty.com.
Midtown Marketplace – 203 Seventh
St. Info: 815-961-1269.
Monroe Arts Center – 1315 11th St.,
Monroe, Wis. Now exhibiting thru
Aug. 31: “The Art of Pedro E.
Guerrero: Photographs of Calder,
Nevelson,Wright and Others” in
Frehner Gallery. Info: 608-325-5700
or www.monroeartscenter.com.
NIU Art Museum – Hall Case Galleries,
116 Altgeld Hall, DeKalb. Tues.-Fri.,
10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat., noon-4 p.m.
Info: 815-753-1936.
NIU School of Theatre & Dance –
Stevens Building, DeKalb campus.
Info: 815-753-1337.
Northwest Illinois Theater Coalition –
Hanover’s Back Street Players,
Stockton’s Plum River Playhouse and
Orangeville’s Mighty Richland Players.
Now playing: Steel Magnolias at Christ
Lutheran Church, Stockton, July 14
and 15. Tickets for Back Street Players may be purchased at Apple River
State Bank, Hanover, at 815-5912201. Reservations for Mighty
Richland Players in Orangeville at 815829-1310 or 608-325-5700. Tickets for Plum River Playhouse at Stockton Banking Center at 815-9472000. Also: [email protected].
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.
Pec Playhouse Theatre – 314 Main St.,
Pecatonica. Info: 815-239-1210.
Rock Valley College Starlight Theatre –
3301 N. Mulford Road. Now playing:
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber
of Fleet Street! Info: 815-921-2160.
Rockford Art Museum – 711 N. Main
St. Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun.,
noon-5 p.m. Free for everyone every
Tues. 72nd Rockford Midwestern
Biennial Exhibit. Dates: May 18Sept. 23. Juried exhibit; prizes
awarded. Rockford Photo Club display in Art Annex runs thru Sept. 23.
New exhibit: Into the Light: Illinois
Glass, runs thru Oct. 21. New program: Blue Star Museums, offering
free admission to active duty military personnel and their families this
summer from Memorial Day thru
Labor Day. Info: 815-968-2787.
Rockford College Art Gallery – Clark
Arts Center, 5050 E. State St. 3-6
p.m., Tues.-Fri. Info: 815-226-4105.
Rockford Dance Company – Riverfront
B
3
Museum Park, 711 N. Main St. Info:
815-815-963-3341.
Timber Lake Playhouse – 8215 Black
Oak Road, Mt. Carroll. Now playing
July 5-15: Footloose. Playing July
10-14: You’re a Good Man, Charlie
Brown. Info: 815-244-2035 or
www.timberlakeplayhouse.org.
317 Studio & Gallery – 317 Market
St. Every Friday, see “Artists at Work”
from 4-9 p.m. Info: 815-533-7185.
Village Gallery – Stewart Square. Artists’
co-op. 45 artists. Open Wed.-Fri., 11
a.m.-2 p.m. Info: 815-963-ARTS.
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.
Womanspace – Womanspace, 3333
Maria Linden Drive. Exhibiting now:
Symmetry/Chaos in Gallery 1, thru
July 26. Mon.-Thurs., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Info: 815-877-0118.
Woodstock Musical Theatre Company
– Woodstock Opera House, 121
VanBuren St., Woodstock. Info: 815338-5300.
Wright Museum of Art – 700 College
St., Beloit, Wis. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Tues.Sun. Info: 608-363-2677.
Registration Needed
Registration for Art Fair on the Square
– Byron Forest Preserve District,
7993 N. River Road. Date: July 14,
10 a.m.-5 p.m. All ages. Meet at
Jarrett Center. Cost; $15/person
or $25/couple. Call for more info.
Register by July 11. Info: 815-2348535, ext. 200.
Registration for Ballet Themed Dance
Camps – Rockford Dance Company,
711 N. Main St. Dates:July 30-Aug.
3 and Aug. 6-10. For ages 3–6, fun
activities. Cost $85. Dance Sport!
for boys ages 6-10, July 30-Aug. 3.
Cost: 85. Info: 815-963-3341 or
www.rockforddancecompany.com.
Call for Artists: Brodhead’s Second Annual Wildflower Art Festival – Date:
Aug. 11 in Veterans Park. Judged show.
All media; artists responsible for providing their own display equipment. $500
in cash prizes awarded. Info:
www.cityofbrodheadwi.us and download a printable application.
Registration for Children Day Camp
at Timber Lake Playhouse – 8215
Black Oak Road, Mt. Carroll. Date:
July 14, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Camp includes ticket to You’re a Good Man,
Charlie Brown. Cost: $25 per student. Info: 815-244-2035.
Registration for RAAC Arts Camp –
Ellis Arts Academy, 220 S. Central
Ave. Dates: July 16-23, 1-4:30 p.m.
Rockford Area Arts Council crafters
4
B
Vibe
July 11-17, 2012
The Cajun
Strangers at
Sinnissippi
July 14
Staff Report
Charlotte’s Web for the Performing Arts
and the Rockford Park District continue
with the 14th Annual Sinnissippi Summer
Series. Saturday, July 14, celebrate Bastille
Day with the Web with French-rooted Cajun
music performed by The Cajun Strangers at
7:30 p.m. at Sinnissippi Park Music Shell,
1401 N. Second St. Admission is free.
Their latest CD, Cajun Country Ramble,
released on Swallow Records, has been
awarded the 2010 Prix DeHors de Nous
from the Cajun French Music Association.
The CFMA gives the award for the best CD
by a band outside of Louisiana.
“It’s a big honor for us, and we’re very
proud that this is the second time we’ve
received this distinction,” said a band member. The band consists of Brian O’Donnel on
fiddle, John Romano on accordion and vocals, Tom “Big Nick” Nickel on guitar, accordion and fiddle, Karen Holden, t-fer, on
dance instruction, Jim Schwall on bass and
Colin Bazsali on drums and harmonica.
Rain site is Mendelssohn Performing Arts
Center, 415 N. Church St. Call (815) 9878800 after 2:30 p.m. on the day of the concert
for rain site info. Picnic baskets are welcome,
no alcohol. The Rockford Park District welcomes the opportunity to assist guests with
special needs. The Music Shell is wheelchair
accessible. An assistive listening system is
available for those who are hard of hearing.
For special assistance, call (815) 987-1600
(voice/TTY) at least 48 hours in advance.
For more information, call (815) 964-2238
or visit www.CharlottesWebofRockford.org.
program for youth, ages 5-13. Cost
$60; fee is waived for children on
free or reduced lunch. Seats are
limited. Registration taken until
camp is full. Info: 815-963-6765 or
www.artsforeveryone.com.
Call for Entries: “Seasons on the Land”
Art Show and Benefit for Natural
land Institute – Dates; Nov. 1 and 2 at
Prairie Street Brewhouse. Deadline for
entries: Aug. 3. Entry fees: $25 for Fine
Art/Photography and $200 for Artisan. Refundable if entrant is not selected to display. Info: 815-964-6666.
Reservations for “Art in the Garden”
– La Paloma Gardens, 3622 Brookview Road, Rockford. Date: Aug. 11.
6 p.m.-midnight. Tickets purchased
before June 30: $150; corporate
table: $1,500. Tickets purchased
after July 1: $175; corporate table:
$1,750. Proceeds benefit Rockford
Art Museum. Info: 815-968-2787.
Wanted: Vendors for Rockton Chamber of Commerce Candy Cane Craft
Show – Date: Dec. 21, 7:30 a.m.3:30 p.m. Food concessions will be
sold, and other activities planned.
Applications being accepted for
crafters. Booths are $30 each, incl.
table and 2 chairs; approx. space of
6x4 ft. Photos of craft and/or craft
booth need to be submitted, along
with application and entry feeno later
than Nov. 1. Info: 815-624-7625 or
[email protected].
Wednesday, July 11
Handbuilt Pottery – Womanspace,
New Dimensions Studio. Four-week
class. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Fee $110
(members $95) includes up to 25
lb. of clay, glazes and firing. Ages 14adult. Info: 815-877-0118.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of
Fleet Street! – Rock Valley College
Starlight Theatre, 3301 N. Mulford
Road. Info: 815-921-2160.
Thursday, July 12
Footloose – Timber Lake Playhouse,
8215 Black Oak Road, Mt. Carroll.
7:30 p.m. Tickets: $23 adults, $20
seniors, $15 students (with ID). Info:
815-244-2035.
You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown –
Timber Lake Playhouse, 8215 Black
Oak Road, Mt. Carroll. 2 p.m. Tickets:
$23 adults, $20 seniors, $15 students (with ID). Info: 815-244-2035.
Friday, July 13
ByronFest – Arts & Crafts Show, downtown Byron. Dates: July 13-15. 8 a.m.midnight. Includes Taste of ByronFest,
carnival, three entertainment stages,
children’s area, beer gardens, quilt
show, sporting events, parade. Craft
Q & A with Rock’n the Valley ...
We talked to Auburn grads-turned-national rockers Nate and Chad Arling of The
Last Vegas as well as Dave Sabo and Johnny
Solinger of headliners Skid Row about the
show. Following are those conversations.
Skid Row
Q: Skid Row is still packing them in
after all this time, and you’re headlining
the festival and closing things out here
Saturday night at Rock’n the Valley.
Does it still amaze you the connection
you guys made with fans 25 years ago?
Dave Sabo (guitarist): KISS is one of my
favorite bands, but KISS is not a band for the
critics, it’s a band for the fans. That’s something that’s always been a guiding principle
of Skid Row as well. I think it’s important to
never become so enamored of being a “rock
star” that you lose sight of that. So, I’m proud
to be in this band. I’m proud to have started
it and to still be a part of it, and I’m honored
that we can connect with people in some way
and that we mean something to them. One of
the things we are very, very blessed by is the
fact that we are able to have fans that are SO
cool that they bring their kids to the show,
and the kids get turned on to us and the cycle
begins all over again. They want their kids to
get the same charge out of us that they did
when they first saw us, and I just think that’s
friggin’ amazing.
Johnny Solinger (vocals): I love this
band. I’ve been with these guys for over 10
years, and every single one of them has been
like family to me. But that’s also how they
treat the fans, all generations of them.
Q: The little “Youth Gone Wild”?
Sabo: Yeah! They grow up and have kids
of their own, or they have little brothers or
sisters that they pass that down to. It is
everything to me that I have four older brothers who turned me on to all of the stuff that
ended up mattering to me. The great thing
about that is that they really didn’t have any
genres of music in particular that they exposed me to, so I listened to EVERYTHING.
fair at Byron Public Library, 100 S.
Washington St.Admission: $6 advance, $8 at the gate.
Drawing & Watercolor Intensive: Capture the Sublime in Sketch & Splash
– Womanspace, New Dimensions
Studio, 3333 Maria Linden Drive. 9
a.m.-4 p.m. Fri. and Sat. Fee $105
(members $90). Art Camp for age 14
to adult. Participants choose subject
matter. Bring brushes and watercolors; 140 lb. paper, ink and pens will be
provided. Snacks provided, but bring a
sack lunch. Info: 815-877-0118.
“The Art of Pedro E. Guerrero: Photographs of Calder, Nevelson,Wright
and Others” – Monroe Arts Center,1315 11th St., Monroe, Wis.
Thru Aug. 31 in Frehner Gallery.
Opening reception 5-7 p.m. today.
Interview of the artist, 5:30 p.m.
Mayor will read a proclamation honoring Guerrero. Info: 608-325-5700
or www.monroeartscenter.com.
8215 Black Oak Road, Mt. Carroll.
7:30 p.m. Tickets: $23 adults, $20
seniors, $15 students (with ID). Info:
815-244-2035.
Saturday, July 14
Drawing & Watercolor Intensive: Capture the Sublime in Sketch & Splash
– Womanspace, New Dimensions
Studio, 3333 Maria Linden Drive. 9
a.m.-4 p.m. Fri. and Sat. Fee $105
(members $90). Art Camp for age 14
to adult. Participants choose subject
matter. Bring brushes and watercolors; 140 lb. paper, ink and pens will be
provided. Snacks provided, but bring a
sack lunch. Info: 815-877-0118.
Art Fair on the Square – Madison,
Wis. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Trip hosted by
Byron Forest Preserve District,
7993 N. River Road. Meet at Jarrett
Center. All ages. Cost: $15/person
or $25/couple. Register by July 11.
Info: 815-234-8535, ext. 200.
ByronFest – Arts & Crafts Show, downtown Byron. Dates: July 13-15. 8
a.m-midnight. Includes Taste of
ByronFest, carnival, three entertainment stages, children’s area, beer
gardens, quilt show, sporting events,
parade. Craft fair at Byron Public
Library, 100 S. Washington St. Admission: $6 advance, $8 at the gate.
Steel Magnolias – Christ Lutheran
Church, 600 N. Main St., Stockton.
Tickets: 815-947-2033 or
[email protected].
8215 Black Oak Road, Mt. Carroll. 2
p.m. Tickets: $23 adults, $20 seniors, $15 students (with ID). Info:
815-244-2035.
Sunday, July 15
Colors of Hope – Veterans Memorial
Hall, 211 N. Main St. 2 and 7:30 pm.
Playwright Andrew Mahan has written a play for which all proceeds will
go to benefit the Rockford “Hospice
Dreams” project for cancer victims.
Tickets: $15 adults, $12 students
and seniors. Info: Kera Ward at 815262-2696 or [email protected].
ByronFest – Arts & Crafts Show, downtown Byron. Dates: July 13-15. Sun.
only, 8 a.m.-6 p..m. Includes Taste of
ByronFest, carnival, three entertainment stages, children’s area, beer
gardens, quilt show, sporting events,
parade. Craft fair at Byron Public
Library, 100 S. Washington St. Admission; $6 advance, $8 at gate.
Steel Magnolias – Christ Lutheran
Church, 600 N. Main St., Stockton.
Tickets: 815-947-2033 or
[email protected].
8215 Black Oak Road, Mt. Carroll. 2
p.m. Tickets: $23 adults, $20 seniors, $15 students (with ID). Info:
815-244-2035.
Monday, July 16
No listings submitted
Tuesday, July 17
Watercolor: Enjoy the Flow –
Womanspace, New Dimensions Studio, 3333 Maria Linden Drive. Fiveweek class. 1-3 p.m. Fee $80 (members $70) includes 140 lb. paper.
Ages 16-adult. Info: 815-877-0118.
[email protected], faxed
to 815-964-9825 or called in to
815-964-9767.
Community
Ongoing Attractions
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.
Alcoholics Anonymous – Call for locations/times/info: 815-227-4633
or 815-968-0333.
Anderson Japanese Gardens – 318
There were no barriers back then between a
great Black Sabbath song and a great Jackson Five song — they were just great songs. I
just listened to songs that moved me. I have
no idea where I would have ended up had my
brothers not had such a myriad of different
kinds of music coming out of the upstairs
bedroom of my mother’s house. That’s the
truth. One day it was Elvis, the next day it
was the Beach Boys or Procul Harem or the
Four Tops. I’m just very thankful to have had
the pleasure of playing my guitar and making music, and I know better than to take
anything for granted.
Solinger: We love our fans, old and new,
and especially love these outdoor festival
nights. We played one the other night with
Cinderella, and it was just smiling faces as far
back as you could see. It doesn’t get any better
than that. We can’t wait to hit Pecatonica.
Q: One last question: You guys are
headlining, so can we expect a nice full
show with all the hits?
Solinger: You better believe it. When
we’re headlining, we will literally play until
they shut us down, so you’ll hear all the old
favorites in addition to some new songs
from my era and even some songs from the
Slave to the Grind era that haven’t been
played in a long time. We’re gonna deliver
all that and more. We fly out and play
upwards of a hundred gigs or so a year, and
these guys don’t come all this way to just
play a few songs.
The Last Vegas
Q: The Last Vegas has a new album,
Bad Decisions, coming out this August,
which, of course, means a new stretch
of touring. You play a lot of dark, smoky
venues and theaters, which suits the
vibe of your band. Is it an altogether
different vibe when you play an outdoor festival like Rock’n the Valley?
Adam Arling (guitars): Anytime you
can get out there on a big stage like that
and play to a crowd that’s totally in party
mode and has been having fun and camp-
Spring Creek Road. Open May 1-Oct.
31. Info: 815-229-9390.
Angelic Organics Learning Center –
1547 Rockton Road, Caledonia.
Various classes & activities throughout the year. Info: 815-389-8455.
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.
The Bridge Center of Rockford – 4861
American Road. Games & classes
for beginners through experts. Info:
815-873-9334.
Burpee Museum of Natural History –
737 N. Main St. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission: $10 adults, $9 children 412, free for children younger than 4
and members; additional fee for traveling exhibits. Info: 815-965-3433.
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: 815234-5031.
Edgar Cayce (ARE) Group – Meets
every other Tuesday. Address: Call
for info: 815-234-2394.
Camp Grant – 1004 Samuelson Road.
8 a.m.-2 p.m., Tues.-Sat. Restaurant
on premises. Info: 815-395-0679.
Club Round: A Clubhouse for Round
People – 7120 Windsor Lake Pkwy.,
Suite 202, Loves Park. Various activities throughout the year. Info: 815639-0312.
CoCo Key Water Resort – Best Western Clock Tower Resort & Conference Center, 7801 E. State St. CoCo’s
Book Drive will be extended thru the
summer. Every Wed., guests can
receive $3 off admission with donation of a new or gently-used book.
Books will be donated to Friends of
the Rockford Public Library.
John Deere Historic Site – 8334
Clinton St., Grand Detour, Dixon.
Gates open Wed.-Sun., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Admission $5 for ages 12 and older.
Info: 815-652-4551.
Discovery Center Museum – 711
N. Main St. New expanded hours:
Sun.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $7
adults, $7 children, free to members and children age 1 and
younger. Info: 815-963-6769.
Ethnic Heritage Museum – 1129 S.
Main St. Sun., 2-4 p.m. Admission
$3 individual, $5 family. Irish Gallery
salutes the Mulligan Guards, thru
October. Info: 815-962-7402.
Freeport Park District – 1122 S.
Burchard, Freeport. Info: 815-2356114.
Freeport/Stephenson County Visitors
Center – U.S. 20, east of Freeport.
Expo: ‘Good Old Summertime” thru
Labor Day. Hours: 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
Graham-Ginestra House Museum –
ing and all is a great thing. To be able to do
it with a hometown crowd and see a lot of
familiar faces is just even better. Growing
up in Rockford, that whole festival vibe is
just ingrained in your DNA — the whole
history with On The Waterfront or even
Lollapalooza — in Pecatonica. We’ll be playing both nights at Rock’n the Valley, and it
will be a blast Friday AND Saturday night,
as far as we’re concerned.
Nate Arling (drums): We always try to
have a good time whenever we play a show
— that’s the whole reason we got into this to
begin with. But playing a big festival like
that at the fairgrounds where I saw Metallica
at back in the day is a pretty cool thing. The
promoters involved did a great job putting
together a really fun 48-hour camping/partying festival to benefit some great causes,
and we’re looking forward to it.
Q: The Last Vegas is a Chicago band,
but you two went to Auburn and have
always had great shows in Rockford. Is
it kind of a second home for you guys?
Adam: Absolutely. We’ve always had
great relationships here, and everyone
comes out to the shows and has a good time.
It’s always a blast to come back and see
people you’ve known for years. People from
Rockford really appreciate the opportunity
to see a rock show or get out of that daily,
blue-collar grind. I felt that way, sure. I
think being from Rockford never really
leaves you (laughs). No matter where you
go or what you do, you are still that same
kid from Rockford, Ill., which can be a good
thing because you can relate to real people.
The majority of the world has more towns
like Rockford than it does places like London or New York.
Nate: Growing up, obviously we had a
lot of influences including being able to see
the hometown guys in Cheap Trick and
realize that they’ve made records and gone
on all these tours. If you grew up here, you
realized it was a big deal and to be able to
make records and go on tour and somehow
connect to a new generation with that
same sense of fun on any level is totally
what we’re going for.
1115 S. Main St. Sundays, 2-4 p.m.
Info: 815-968-6044.
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.
Healing Pathways Cancer Resource
Center – 2821 Bell School Road,
Rockford. Classes in yoga, strength
training, Qigong, line dancing and
support group. Info: 815-395-5649
or healingpathwayscrc.org.
Health Classes/Seniors Meetings/Support Groups – OSF Saint Anthony Center for Health. Call for specific meetings/dates/info: 815-395-4505.
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.
Historic Auto Attractions – 13825
Metric Drive, Roscoe. Tues.-Sat., 10
a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Info:
815-389-7917
or
www.historicautoattractions.com.
Household Hazardous Waste DropOff – Rock River Water Reclamation District, 3333 Kishwaukee St.
Sat., 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sun., noon-4 p.m.
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.
Jarrett Center – Byron Forest Preserve District, 7993 N. River Road,
Byron. Info: 815-234-8535, ext. 200.
Ken-Rock Community Center – 3218
11th St. Various activities throughout the year. Info: 815-398-8864.
Kishwaukee Valley A.B.A.T.E. Meeting
– V.F.W., 2018 Windsor Road, Loves
Park. Second Sunday of each month,
2 p.m. Info: 815-544-3088.
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. Donation
Day is first Tuesday of each month.
Admission free, donations of any
amount welcome. Info: 815-965-8146.
Lazy Dog Yoga Studio – 5428 Williams Drive, Roscoe. $10 per drop-in
class or 6 classes for $50. Kundalini
Yoga every Friday at 10:30 a.m. Info:
970-485-0249.
Lena Community Park District –
Splashland Pool, 1-8 p.m. all summer. Splashland Food Court, 11 a.m.8 p.m.; Mini Golf, Mon.-Fri., 11 a.m.8 p.m., Sat.-Sun., 1-8 p.m. Water
Polo, Mon. & Wed., 8-9:15 p.m. Info:
815-369-5351.
Lewis Lemon Community Center –
1993 Mulberry St. Mon.-Fri., 5:3011 p.m. Free. Info: 815-987-8800.
Little Cubs Field – 1160 W. Empire St.,
Freeport. Website accepts reservations for birthday parties, corporate
events, reunions, family gatherings.
Visit www.littlecubsfield.com.
Logan Museum of Anthropology – 700
College St., Beloit, Wis. 11 a.m.-4
p.m., Tues.-Sun. Info: 608-363-2677.
Memorial Hall – 211 N. Main St. 9
a.m.-4 p.m. Mon-Fri., or by appointment. Info: 815-969-1999.
Midway Village – 6799 Guilford Road.
Mon.-Sat., noon-4 p.m. Info: 815397-9112.
Midwest Museum of Natural History –
425 W. State St., Sycamore. Admission $6, adults, $5 kids and seniors.
Safari Sprouts 4th Wednesday of each
month. Info: 815-895-9777.
Narcotics Anonymous – Call for locations/times/info: 815-964-5959
or 888-656-7329.
Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens –
1354 N. Second St. Open Tues.-Sat.
(closed Mon.): hours vary, check
website or call. Admission: $6 resident, $8 non-resident, free for children 4 and younger. Water features,
seating areas and sculptures, all in a
tropical plant setting. Changing seasonal floral displays, special events,
educational programs, workshops,
lecture series. Rentals of meeting/
event room available. Gift shop. Info:
www.rockfordparkdistrict.org/ncg
or 815-987-8858.
Northern Illinois Medical Group –
5301 E. State St. Qigong classes
offered at various times, based on
demand and class progression. Info:
815-397-8500.
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.
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.
Pine Tree Pistol Club – Info about club
& classes: 815-874-7399.
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.
Ray of Hope: Support After Suicide –
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 4700
Augustana Drive. Meets every 2nd
and 4th Thursday. 7-8:30 p.m. Free.
For registration: 815-636-4750.
Really, Really Free Market – Beattie
Park, 21st of each month. 12-6 p.m
Free admission. Have stuff to donate? Drop it off!
Vibe
July 11-17, 2012
Steve Spurgin & Dan Crary ...
sion of the art that drives him/her, which
speaks to the passion that drives us.
A life of music began early for Steve
Spurgin, starting with lessons in classical
piano at age 5, moving on to French horn
and choral training in school. The performing bug bit in the early ’60s when Steve
picked up a folk guitar and started entertaining his school mates with the songs of
his heroes like Bob Dylan and Gordon
Lightfoot. In the summer of 1965, fresh out
of high school, the first paying job in music
came along, and Spurgin launched a professional career that has touched on five decades and entered a new century.
Dan Crary is one of the elite few flatpick
guitar players who has earned true “legend-
ary” status. His distinctive playing style
and intense power have made him stand out
from the crowd for decades. The multiple
awards and credits he has garnered over
the years attest to Dan’s recognized status
as a master of his chosen instrument. From
his early days with the groundbreaking
Bluegrass Alliance, to the stunningly creative BCH trio with Byron Berline and John
Hickman, to the multi-award-winning band
California to his new sound fusion ensemble,
Dan Crary and Thunderation, the amazing
music just keeps flowing through Dan’s
muscular pick and sonorous voice.
Seating at $10 per person is limited to the
first 80 people who arrive. For more information, call (815) 964-2238 or visit
www.Snapshotmusic.com.
Bad is best: Breaking Bad returns for final ...
involved in laundering his drug money at
their family-owned car wash — with their
infant daughter at her side — it makes one
wonder if his family would have been better
off if the lung cancer had killed him.
Right up until the end of the previous
season, I was hoping Walt and his protégé
Jesse (Aaron Paul) would evade the law —
including Walt’s brother-in-law, Hank (Dean
Norris), a DEA agent hot on the trail of the
elusive Heisenberg, the science-based street
name of Walt’s nefarious alter-ego. Walt even
offered to help Hank review the evidence from
a scientific perspective. And, of course, I wanted
them to prevail over the really bad, bad guy
they reluctantly worked for, Gus (a chilling
Giancarlo Esposito), so much so that the fact
that Walt engineered Gus’ death — although
morally questionable — still felt as though it
could be for the greater good, since Gus was a
threat to every character on the show.
Then, the final shot of that season’s last
episode totally turned the tables: Seeing a
pot of lilies of the valley in Walt’s yard made
it painfully clear that Walt’s transformation to Heisenberg was complete. He’s now
capable of anything.
To understand how a delicate flower could
be such an ominous image, you had to have
seen the last couple episodes of that season.
But it’s a great example of why Breaking
Bad is so darn good.
A few weeks ago, I caught part of the
series’ first episode, when Walt was a smart,
yet bumbling teacher, with a grim prognosis, whose life changed when Hank let him
ride along on a drug bust. Walt — who saw
his former student, Jesse, escape undetected by police — asked to see the meth lab. He
realized he could do the same thing, only
better, and tracked Jesse down to be the
sales side of a profitable business. Such a
contrast to where Walt is now.
Walt’s initial goal was misguided but
somewhat noble. He wanted to build a nest
egg for his family to live on after he died,
then get out of the drug business. Somewhere along the way, he got addicted — not
to meth, but to the power his new business
gave him. He also went into remission.
Now that we know that Walt can be as
calculating and seemingly remorseless as
Gus was, is Walt the baddest bad guy? In
Cranston’s skilled hands, you still see
glimpses of the old, kind Walt buried beneath Heisenberg’s menacing gaze and black
hat. One can only imagine the fireworks if
and when Hank finally discovers who
Heisenberg really is.
There’s a reason Cranston and Paul have
both won Emmys for their roles. They make
you care about two seriously flawed people
who’ve dug themselves in so deep they
couldn’t get out if they wanted to.
Breaking Bad’s fifth and final season
starts at 9 p.m., Sunday, July 15, on AMC.
Paula Hendrickson is a regular contributor to Emmy magazine and Variety, and has
been published in numerous national publications, including American Bungalow, Television Week and TVGuide. Follow her on
Twitter at P_Hendrickson and send your
suggestions to [email protected].
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.
Special offer: Now thru Sept. 1, area
blood donors will receive a coupon
for a free Cherry Berry Chiller from
participating McDonald’s. Anyone
who donates blood at a local blood
center or mobile blood drive location
is eligible. Info: 815-965-8751 or
866-889-9037 or www.rrvbc.org.
Rockford Park District Pools Now Open
– Alpine Pool, 4310 Newburg
Road,Rockford. Dates: June 9-Aug.
12. Info: 815-987-8804. Harkins
Aquatics Center, 910 Acorn St., Rockford. Dates: June 9 - Aug. 19. Info:
815-987-8805. Sand Park Pool,
1041 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves
Park.Dates: June 9 - Aug. 19. Info:
815-987-8806.
Also
see:
www.rockfordparkdistrict.org/pools.
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.
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.
Rockton Farmers’ Market – Rockton
United Methodist Church, 102
Chapel St., Rockton. Every Wednesday, thru Oct. 24, 4-7 p.m.
Rockton Township Historical Society
Museum – Corner of Blackhawk
Boulevard & Green Street, Rockton.
2012 Quilt Show thru Aug. 25. Open
for tours every Sat. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Info: 815-624-4830.
Singles Organization Across Rockford (formerly STAR) – Volleyball/
Game Nights, 7-10 p.m. at Grace
Lutheran Church, 343 Grand Ave.,
Loves Park. Second and fourth Saturdays of each month. Cost: $4 or
$2 with a snack to share. Info: 815563-4309, 815-636-9880 or go
to www.singlesinrockford.org.
Stephenson County Museum – 1440
S. Carroll Ave., Freeport. Exhibiting
now: “A Century of Maps: Freeport
and Stephenson County, 1870s to
1970s,” till Aug. 5. Admission: $4
adults, $2 children up to age 12.
Info: 815-975-7631.
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.
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.
Summerfield Zoo – 3088 Flora Road,
Belvidere. Admission: $5 per person. Open weekends and selected
Wednesdays. Info: 815-547-4852.
Support Groups/Youth Drop-in Hours
– Diversity of Rockford, 117 S. Third
St. Free. Weekly. Call for specific meetings/dates/info: 815-964-2639.
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.
Tinker Swiss Cottage – 411 Kent St.
Tours 1, 2, 3 p.m., Tues.-Sun. New
program: Blue Star Museums, offering free admission to active duty
military personnel and their families
this summer from Memorial Day
thru Labor Day. Info: 815-964-2424.
Toddler Time – Mount Olive Lutheran
Church, 2001 N. Alpine Road. 9:1510:15 a.m. Every Mon. and Tues.
Free. Info: 815-399-3171.
Trolley and Forest City Queen Rides –
Riverview Park, 324 N. Madison St.
Available thru the summer with Rockford Park District. New this season:
Rent a bike, in partnership with
Paddle & Trail. Single or tandem
bikes: $10/hr., $25/half day, $50/
day. Info: 815-987-8824.
Vintage Wings and Wheels Museum
– 5151 Orth Road, Poplar Grove.
Now exhibiting: 1893 World’s Fair
Exhibit. Info: 815-547-3115.
Volcano Falls Adventure Park – 7602
Rock Valley Parkway. Extended hours:
Open Sunday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-10
p.m., Friday & Saturday, 10 a.m.-11
p.m. through summer, weather permitting. Info: 815-282-2100.
Windsor Lake Regional Activity Center – 7212 N. Alpine Road, Loves
Park. Rockford Park District and
Paddle and Trail of Loves Park. Now
offering: Mad Anglers Fishing Club,
Windsor Lake Fishing League,
Paddlesport instruction and rental,
RAC memberships through Paddle
and Trail, group and corporate outings, boat storage, special women’s
and youth programs. Info: 855-75292688 or www.paddleandtrail.com.
Winnebago County Animal Services –
4517 N. Main St. The $5 adult cat
adoption promotion has been extended to June 30. All cat adoptions
include spay or neuter, microchip,
vaccinations, one-year Winnebago
County rabies tag, one-month flea
preventative. Info: 815-319-4100.
Womanspace – 3333 Maria Linden
Drive. Yoga every Thursday, 9:30-
B
5
10:45 a.m. $40/four classes or
$12/class. Basic Hatha Yoga. Other
activities throughout the year. Info:
815-877-0118.
YMCA of Rock River Valley – I.D. Pennock
Branch, 200 Y Blvd., 815-489-1252.
Northeast Branch, 8451 Orth Road,
Loves Park. 815-489-3352.
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.
Registration Needed
Registration for Freeport Park District Programs – Roller Skating
Lessons, July 23-Aug. 13; Youth
Tennis Lessons, July 17-Aug. 2. 1.
Info: 815-235-6114, ext. 109.
Registration for Tech Support Group
– Womanspace, Fountain View
Room 3333 Maria Linden Drive.
Dates: July 28. 10-11:30 a.m. Cost:
$5 (for Womanspace members
only). Registration preferred by preceding Thurs., but walk-ins welcome.
Info: 815-877-0118.
Registration for Girl Scout Summer
Camps – Info: 800-242-5591 or
www.girlscoutsni.org.
Registration for Openfields Local
Foods Dinner at Abreo – 515 E.
State St. Date: July 12, 6–9 p.m.
Cost: $55/person. Info: 815-9864357 or 815-235-4125.
Registration for Family Farm Camp –
Angelic Organics Learning Center,
Dates: July 12-14, 1-4 p.m. Families
bring tents for three days of farm
adventures. Pre-register. Cost:
$100. Info: 815-389-8455 or
www.learngrowconnect.org.
Order Tickets for VaShawn Mitchell
at Bookerfest – Performance July
22, 5 p.m. Tickets on sale July 13,
$10 sold at Booker Washington
Community Center and at the gate.
Registration for Pecatonica River Trail
Pontoon Rides at Fourth Annual
Pec River Fest – Lena Community
Park District, leaving from McNeil’s
Damascus Landing. Date: July 13.
Rides begin at 4:30 p.m. and last
ride leaves at 7. Sat., July 14, enjoy
the Pec River Trail Summer Flotilla.
Register at park office. Sun., July 15,
sign up for Canoe/Kayak Races.
Register at park office or call 815369-5351. Sign up early!
Registration for All Abilities Wheelchair Softball Tournament – Indoor
Sports Center, 8800 E. Riverside
Blvd., Loves Park. Date: July 14, 8
a.m.-4 p.m. Tournament’s two divisions are: Friends and Family (ages
6 and older) and Competitive (ages
6
B
Vibe
July 11-17, 2012
18 and older). Each team must have
10-13 players with minimum of four
players of each gender. Team fee:
$45, incl. T-shirts, door prize, raffle
tickets, two-game minimum. Music
and concession foods and beverages. Info: 815-987-1609.
Registration for USATF F.I.R.E. Invitation – Christian Life High School,
5950 Spring Creek Road, Rockford.
Date: July 14. Begins at 8 a.m. Eight
divisions for boys and girls. Team
entries are still being accepted;
teams must meet certain requirements. Open to unattached athletes,
ages 5-18. Info: 815-962-7469.
Registration for Winemaking – Angelic Organics Learning Center,
Date: July 14, 3-6 p.m. Make a small
batch of wine, using wild fruits. Preregister. Cost: $65. Info: 815-3898455 , www.learngrowconnect.org.
Registration for Versatile Herbs!
Medicinal and Culinary Uses – Angelic Organics Learning Center,
Date: July 15, 1-4 p.m. Learn about
culinary and medicinal uses for
herbs. Make recipes. Pre-register.
Cost: $50. Info: 815-389-8455 or
Registration for Amazing Farm Animals
Day Camp – Angelic Organics Learning Center, 1547 Rockton Road,
Caledonia. Date: July 16, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Learn about livestock thru games and
hands-on experience. Cost: $170. Preregister. Info: 815-389-8455 or
Registration for Photography Camp
– Byron Forest Preserve District,
7993 N. River Road. Dates: July 1620, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Ages 8-14; bring a
lunch. Meet at Keller Center. Fees:
$110/camper. Register by July 11.
Info: 815-234-8535, ext. 200.
Registration for Youth Tennis Lessons – Freeport Park District, Read
Park office. Dates: July 17-Aug. 2.
11 a.m.-noon. Fee is $40 residents
$45 non-residents. Info: 815-2356114, ext. 109.
Registration for 3D Archery – Byron
Forest Preserve District, 7993 N.
River Road. Date: July 18, 6-8 p.m.
Ages 10 and up. Meet at Byron/
Oregon Sportsman’s Club. All equipment provided or bring your own.
Cost; $5/scout. Register by July
16. Info: 815-234-8535, ext. 200.
Registration for U of I Extension Program on Attracting Beneficial Insects – Severson Dells Nature Center, 8786 Montague Road. Date:
July 19, 11 a.m.-noon. Cost; $5/
person. Info: 815-986-5357.
Registration for Oregon Trail Days
Tipi Scramble – Oregon Golf Club.
Date: July 20. Nine-hole shotgun
start at 3 p.m., includes games,
prizes and competition. Dinner at
6:30 p.m. Cost: $30/person for 4person team. Part of proceeds go to
Oregon Trail Days Festival and restoration of Black Hawk statue. Info:
www.oregontraildays.org.
Registration for Cubs Game at Wrigley
Field – Freeport Park District, Read
Park office. Date: July 29. Fee: $70
residents, $75 non-residents. Register by calling 815-235-6114, ext.
0 or visit the Read Park office.
Registration for Breakfast & Learn
Hearing Health Seminar –
Stockholm Inn, 2420 Charles St.
Date: July 18. Breakfast at 8:45 a.m.
Guest speaker Dr. Jordan J. Bonnett,
Au.D., CCC-A, will discuss advances in
hearing instrument technology and
answer questions. Free, but reservations required. Seating is limited.
Reserve at Professional Hearing &
Audiology Clinics, 815-964-3131.
Registration for Sip & Sail – Riverview
Ice House dock, 324 N. Madison St.
Date: July 19, 5 p.m. social hour,
light food served. 6 p.m. boarding.
Sponsored by Artale Wine Company
and Radisson Hotel & Conference
Center. Tickets: $35/person. Reserve by July 16 at 815-987-1632.
Order Tickets for Kiwanis Brat Days –
Dates: July 20-21 at Edgebrook Center, Logli on East State St. and Logli at
North Alpine & Harlem Road. Tickets:
$5 advance, $6 at event includes
choice of Johnsonville brat, 1/4-lb. allbeef Johnsonville hot dog or meatless
barbeque, chips and beverage. Vegetarian brat available at North Alpine
& Harlem Road location only. Tickets
at both Logli locations, all Alpine Bank
locations, MembersAlliance Credit
Union locations at South Alpine Road
and Olde Creek Road.
Registration for Carroll County Farm
Bureau Sixth Annual Tractor Drive
– Begins at Eastland High School,
Lanark. Date: July 20. Pre-registration is limited to first 75 tractors;
must be a 1975 model or older. Fee:
$25, includes refreshments
throughout the day and lunch. Register by July 13. Info: 815-244-3001
or www.carrollcfb.org.
Order Tickets for Breast Fest Biker
Bash – Winnebago County Fairgrounds, 500 W. First St., Pecatonica. Dates: July 20-21. Open at 5
p.m. Tickets: $25, must be 21 or
older with ID. Live music and MMA
fighting. Tattoo and arm wrestling
contests, bike shows and games,
Best Breast competiton. Benefit for
Save the Tatas Foundation. Info: 815540-6075 or 408-295-4100.
Registration for Warriors vs. Outlaws
River Tug – Date: July 22, 3 p.m.
Teams of pullers compete in oldfashioned tug-of-war across Rock
River near Oregon dam. Teams may
have up to 20 pullers, weight not to
exceed 3,600 lb. Three-minute pull.
Team entry fee is $200. Register by
July 12. Entry forms are available at
www.oregontraildays.org or call
815-732-2434.
Tickets for 50/50 Raffle to Restore
Black Hawk Statue – Oregon Trail
Days. Date: July 22. Tickets sold
until 4:30 p.m. $5 each or 5 for $20
at Merlin’s, Shell, Snyders, Cooks
Collection, SuperValu, Stillman Bank,
The Flower Patch, Verizon, Basler’s,
Eagles Nest, White Pines. Also at
concerts in the park Tues. and the
July 13 Brown Bag event, and at all
Oregon Trail Days events. Info:
www.oregontraildays.org.
Registration for Live Gallery Reading
with Mark Dorsett at Historic
Coronado Theatre – 314 N. Main
St. Date: July 22, 2-5 p.m. Spirit
communicator Mark Dorsett provides messages from loved ones in
spirit, to provide healing in a group
setting. Cost: $20, includes a tour.
Info: www.hauntedrockford.com.
Registration for Roller Skating Lessons – Freeport Park District, 1122
S. Burchard Ave. Dates; July 23Aug. 13, 7-8 p.m. Fees: $20 resident, $25 non-resident. Parents may
skate with their child during practice
time after every lesson. Info: 815235-6114, ext. 109.
Registration for “Party on the Rock”
Benefit for 9/11 Emergency Responders Memorial – Prairie Street
Brewhouse, 200 Prairie St. Date: July
26, 5-10 p.m. Music, beer tasting,
silent auction, raffles 9/11 Memorial
bricks & Challenge coins; see two steel
beams from World Trade Center.
Meet sculptor Renee Bemis. Tickets:
$20. Info: 815-978-3860; 815-9691999 or visit Veterans Memorial Hall,
211 N. Main St. or any of three locations of Backyard Grill and Bar–
Roscoe, Loves Park or Cherry Valley.
Registration for Community Garden
Workshop and Roundtable – University of Illinois Extension, Ogle
County Farm Bureau Building, 421
W. Pines Road, Oregon. Date: July
27, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free, but
RSVP necessary for space. To reserve your spot at the workshop, call
U of I Extension, Stephenson County,
815-235-4125; Ogle County, 815732-2191; or call Blackhawk Hills
Regional Council at 815-625-3854.
Registration for Volunteer Tutor
Workshops – The Literacy Council,
982 N. Main St. Six classes to be
held Mon. and Wed. beginning Aug.
6 at 5:30 p.m. Also online workshop.
Info: www.theliteracycouncil.org or
815-963-READ.
Reminder to Parents: Tdap Vaccination required for students entering
6th and 9th grades – Boone County
Health Department, 1204 Logan
Ave., Belvidere, will hold schools and
sports physicals clinics July 26 and
Aug. 2, from 5-8 p.m. Cost: $30. Any
required vaccinations, including Tdap,
are $15 each. To schedule an appointment, call 815-544-9730.
Registration for Greenwood Cemetery
Walk – Corner of North Main and
Auburn streets. Dat: July 28, 7-8:30
p.m. With spirit guide Mark Dorsett,
who will do psychic impressions.
Cost: $15 advance, $20 at the event.
Info: www.hauntedrockford.com.
Registration for Sixth Annual Great
Golf Ball Drop – Aldeen Golf Club,
1902 Reid Farm Road. Date: Aug. 3,
6:13 p.m. Grand prize of $2,500,
other prizes. Sponsored by Culver’s.
Entry fee of $5 per ball; may enter
multiple times. Info: www.rockford
parkdistrict.org/gbdrop.
Registration for Freeport Cruise Night
– Downtown Freeport. Date: Aug.
11; display begins at 3:30 p.m.; cruising, 7-10 p.m. Display your antique
cars, at least 25 years old, in Freeport
Public Library parking lot. Info: 815238-6124 or 815-990-1082.
Registration for Out of the Darkness
Community Walk for Suicide Prevention – Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Road. Date:
Sept. 8. Register to walk or donate:
www.OutOfTheDarkness.org.
Order Tickets for “Elmo Makes Music”
– BMO Harris Bank Center, 300 Elm
St. Dates: Sept. 7-9. Tickets: $3 and
$13; limited number of $25 Gold Circle
seats and $60 Sunny Seats. Opening
Night, all seats (excluding Gold Circle
and Sunny Seats) are $20. Facility fee
of $1.50 is added. Info: 815-9685222 or www.sesamestreetlive.com.
Reserve Booth Space for Lifescape’s
Senior Expo – Indoor Sports Center, 8800 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves
Park. Dates: Sept. 13-14. Theme:
“Fit & Fabulous!” Info: 815-4901111 or www.lifescapeservices.org.
Registration for Third Annual Stone
Bridge Trail Marathon & 5K Races
– Date: Saturday, Oct. 13, 7 a.m.
Race registration closes at 200 runners. Registration for marathon,
$80 thru Oct. 5, $90 after. Registration for each 5K run is $25 thru
October, $30 after. Info/Register:
815-623-5858
or
www.ymcastonebridgemarathon.org.
CoCo Key Water Resort Helps Prevent Skin Cancer – In partnership
with American Cancer Society, CoCo
Key offers CoCo’s Sun Safety Tuesdays, July 3-Aug. 21. Discounted
admission. Guests must bring in old
bottles of sunscreen lotion or any
sunscreen that is not broad spectrum to the water park for disposal.
Receive $3 off on four admissions
for a total savings of $12.
YWCA of Rockford accepting Nominations for Leader Luncheon XXXIII
Awards – Available at 4990 E. State
St., Rockford, or download forms at
www.ywca.org/rockford/leaderluncheon. Deadline: Jan. 11, 2013,
5 p.m. Info: 815-316-6126.
Wednesday, July 11
Rockford Police Dept. hosts Compstat
– Public Safety Building, 420 W.
State St., Classroom B. Analyzes
crime trends by district. 7-8 a.m.
District 3 (far east side); 8-9 a.m.
District 2 (near east side); 9-10 a.m.
District 1 (west side).
Roscoe Township Board Meeting –
Town Hall, 5792 Elevator Road. 7
p.m. Public comment session on
Roscoe Sports Complex.
Balance – OSF Saint Anthony Center
for Health, 5510 E. State St. 9-10
a.m. Helps participants increase
their stability and balance. Day pass $5;
monthly pass $25 (corporate rate & seniors
65 and older); $30 (automatic withdrawal with
credit card); $35 (cash
or check per month).
Info: 815-395-4591.
Advanced Balance –
OSF Saint Anthony Center for Health, 5510 E.
State St. 915-10:15
a.m. Helps participants
continue to increase
their stability and balance. Completion of first
balance class is required
before registering for
this class. Day pass $5; monthly pass
$25 (corporate rate & seniors 65
and older); $30 (automatic withdrawal
with credit card); $35 (cash or check
per month). Info: 815-395-4591.
Bookwoman: A Cup of Friendship –
Womanspace Library, 3333
Maria Linden Drive. 9:30-11 a.m.
Fictional story of a remarkable
coffee shop in Afghanistan. Freewill offering: suggested donation
$5. Info: 815-877-0118.
Babes and Books – Rockford Public Library, Main Library Little Theatre, 215
N. Wyman St. 11:15 a.m.-noon. For
children under 2. Build baby’s literacy
and social skills. Info: 815-965-7606.
Summer Crafts for Kids – Rockford
Public Library, Main Library Little
Theatre, 215 N. Wyman St. 2-3 p.m.
Ages 5-10. Info: 815-965-7606.
Home-milked Ice Cream – Angelic Organics Learning Center, 1547
Rockton Road, Caledonia. 3-5 p.m.
Cost: $11. Info: 815-389-8455 or
Be Active Outdoors (BAO) – Beloit,
Wis. hosts the International Cycling
Classic and Superweek Pro Tour,
Races begin at 9:30 a.m. and finish
about 9 p.m., also youth events. Info:
Paddle and Trail at 608-362-6521
or [email protected].
Kids Club – Rockford Public Library,
Montague Branch, Connie Lane
Room, 1238 S. Winnebago St. 5-6
p.m. Ages 6-12. Registration is required. Info: 815-965-7606.
Young Adult Advisory Board Meeting
– Rockford Public Library, Main Library, Young Adult Zone, 215 N.
Wyman St. 6-7 p.m. Ages 13-19. To
apply, see Kathi Kresol in Youth Services, call or e-mail her at 815-9657606, ext. 682 or e-mail at
[email protected].
Sunset Storytime – Rockford Public
Library, East Branch Children’s Area,
6685 E. State St. 6:30-7:15 p.m.
Info: 815-965-7606.
Comedy Night – Whiskey’s Roadhouse,
3207 Main St. 8 p.m. Free. Info:
815-877-8007.
Thursday, July 12
Winnebago County Board Meeting –
Winnebago County Courthouse, Board
Room, eighth floor, 400 W. State St. 6
p.m. Topic: Roscoe Sports Complex.
their stability and balance. Day pass
$5; monthly pass $25 (corporate
rate & seniors 65 and older); $30
(automatic withdrawal with credit
card); $35 (cash or check per
month). Info: 815-395-4591.
Open House at The Atrium – Assisted
Living Dementia Community, 2885
McFarland Road. 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
every Thursday. Visitors welcome.
Info: 815-721-1616.
Look, Listen, and Learn Storytime –
Rockford Public Library, East Branch,
Friends of RPL Community Room,
6685 E. State St. 11:15 am.-12:15
p.m. All ages. Info: 815-965-7606.
Preschool Storytime – Rockford Public
Library, Rockton Centre Branch,
3112 N. Rockton Ave. 12-12:45 p.m.
For ages 3-5. Info: 815-965-7606.
18th Annual Rock River Walk to End
Alzheimer’s Committee Meeting
– Alzheimer’s Association, Rock
River Office, 93 S. Hennepin Ave.,
Dixon. 12:30-1:30 p.m. More members needed! Info: 217-228-1111
or [email protected].
Jim Nesci’s Cold Blooded Creatures –
Cherry Valley Public Library District,
755 E. State St., Cherry Valley. 1 and
6 p.m. Ages 5 and up. Explore the
world of reptiles. Info: 815-332-5161.
Family Farm Camp – Angelic Organics
Learning Center, 1547 Rockton
Road, Caledonia. Dates: July 12-14,
1-4 p.m. Families bring tents for three
days of farm adventures. Pre-register. Cost: $100. Info: 815-389-8455
or www.learngrowconnect.org.
Summer Teen ’Scape – Rockford Public Library, Montague Branch, 1238
S. Winnebago St. 2-5 p.m. Ages 1019. Play games on Wii or Playstation,
surf the Internet, play board games.
Info: 815-965-7606.
“Feed Your Brain: Devour a Book!” Film
Festival – Rockford Public Library, Main
Library Auditorium, 215 N. Wyman St.
5:30-8 p.m. Ages 18 and older. Films
rated PG. Info: 815-965-7606.
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.
Library, Main Library Little Theatre,
215 N. Wyman St. 5-5:45 p.m. Ages
4-10. Info: 815-965-7606.
Supper and Film: Departures –
Womanspace Library, 3333 Maria
Linden Drive. 6-9 p.m. Fee $12
(members $10) includes supper
and discussion. Film examines the
rituals surrounding death in Japan.
Info: 815-877-0118.
Babes and Books – Rockford Public
Library, East Branch, Children’s Area,
6685 E. State St. 6-6:45 p.m. Children younger than 2. Develop your
baby’s literacy and social skills. Info:
815-965-7606.
Swing Dancing – Mt. Olive Lutheran
Church, 2001 N. Alpine Road. 810:30 p.m. Every Thurs. Info:
www.forestcityswing.org.
Summer Teen’Scape – Rockford Public Library, Rockton Centre Branch,
3112 N. Rockton Ave. 2-5 p.m. Ages
10-19. Play games on Wii or
Playstation, surf the Internet, play
board games. Info: 815-965-7606.
Bilingual Thursdays Storytime (Spanish/English) – Rockford Public Library, Rock River Branch, 3128
11th St., 4-4:45 p.m. Ages 3-8. Info:
815-965-7606.
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.
SOUNS for Infants – Rockford Public
Library, East Branch, Children’s Area,
6685 E. State St. 6-6:45 p.m. Ages
under 2. Infant literacy-building program. Info: 815-965-7606.
Harry’s Hungry! – Rockford Public Library, Rock River Branch, 3128
11th St. 4-4:45 p.m. Listen to a
book. Info: 815-965-7606.
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.
Library, Main Library, Little Theatre,
215 N. Wyman St. 5-5:45 p.m. All
ages. Info: 815-965-7606.
Learn Self-Hypnosis for Wellness –
enTrance Center, 5844 Elaine Drive,
Rockford. 6:30-8 p.m. $25. Call in
advance: 815-397-5901.
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.
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.
Friday, July 13
Frosty Friday – Discovery Center Museum, Riverfront Museum Park, 711
N. Main St. 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Chill out with dry ice experiments, do
liquid nitrogen demos, test for brainfreeze. All activities are included with
Museum admission: $7 adults; $7
children; free to Museum members
and children age 1 and younger.
Children’s Fishing Clinic – Lake Le-AquaNa. Hosted by Department of Natural Resources. 10 a.m.-noon. Ages 6
and up. Register at Lena Community
Park District. Info: 815-369-5351.
Pec River Fest Weekend – Lena Community Park District. Pontoon rides
begin at 4:30 p.m. at McNeil’s Damascus Landing; last ride at 7 p.m.
Suggested donation: $10/person.
Rock County Cancer Coalition Rummage Sale – KUTTER HarleyDavidson Pavilion, 3223 N. Pontiac,
Janesville, Wis. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monetary donations welcome, too. Info:
www.Rockcountycancercoalition.org
Rockford City Market – Water Street
by Jefferson. 3-8 p.m. every Friday
thru Oct. 12. Local growers and
vendors selling natural products,
vegetables, fruit, eggs, meat,
cheeses, flowres, herbs, baked
goods, snacks, wines. Beer garden
with live music by Jodi Beach.
Movie: Ice Age: Continental Drift – Lindo
Theater, 115 S. Chicago Ave., Freeport.
12:10 p.m. Admission: $5.50 per person. Group rates also available. Info:
www.classiccinemas.com.
Grab ‘N Go Lunch Cruise – Trolley
Station, Riverview Park, 324 N.
Madison St. Every Friday Lunch
Cruise on the Forest City Queen.
11:15 a.m. 12:15 and 1 p.m. Prices:
Adults $8 ($8.50 non-resident); ages
5-17, $7.50 ($8 non-resident); ages
4 and younger, $5. No reservations
needed; walk-ups welcome. Specialty
cruises or private rentals also available. Info: 815-987-8800.
Healthy Living with Chronic Illness –
Rockford Public Library, Montague
Branch, 1238 S. Winnebago St. 13:30 p.m. Ages 18 and older. Sixweek program; registration is not
required. Info: 815-965-7606.
U.S. Youth Soccer ODP Region II Tournament & College Showcase –
Sportscore II Soccer Complex, 8800
E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park. 4-8
p.m. Boys and girls ODP teams from
12 states compete. Free to public.
Drop-In Storytime – Rockford Public
Library, Main Library Little Theatre,
215 N. Wyman St. 10:30-11 a.m.
Info: 815-965-7606.
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.
Wired Café Celebrates 2-Year Anniversary – Wired Café, 414 E. State St.
6:30 a.m-10 p.m. Music by Paper
Airplane. Prizes, giveaways, presentations all day. Kryptonite catering. Info:
815-543-5681 or 815-621-5944.
Public Skating – Carlson Arctic Ice
Arena & Sapora Playworld, 4150 N.
Perryville Road. Tues., Thurs. & Fridays during school year, 11 a.m.-1
p.m. Extra Friday session, 8-10 p.m.
Info: 815-969-4069.
Comedy Night – Franchesco’s, 7128
Spring Creek Road. 8 p.m. Info: 815229-0800.
“Haunted Slumber Camp Massacre”
– R.I.P. Productions site, 4 miles
south of Rockford. 5:30 p.m. Fri.-11
p.m. Sat. Training for 2012 Fear
Asylum. Pre-registration required.
Baseball: Rockford Foresters vs.
DeKalb County Liners – Marinelli
Field, 101 15th Ave. 7 p.m. Tickets:
$8 baseline, $6 family seats. Info:
815-312-2115.
Saturday, July 14
Writing Workshop: Writing for Coherence and Persuasion – Saint
Anthony College of Nursing, 5658 E.
State St. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. One-day class
is the sequel to “Introduction to
Graduate Writing & APA6.” Cost:
$175. Info: www.sacn.edu. Deadline
to register is July 13.
Les Mills for the Cure – OSF Saint
Anthony Center for Health, 5510 E.
State St. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Body Combat, Body Pump and Zumba. A social
time featuring various health and
fitness resources will be held between classes. Cost: $5/class. Tickets are being sold at the Center for
Health. Info: 815-395-4904.
Rockford Area Spanish Conversation
Meetup – Katie’s Cup, 502 Seventh
St. 10 a.m.- noon every Saturday.
Free. Info: [email protected].
Second Annual Cruisin’ Classics Car
Show – Summerfield Zoo, 3088
Flora Road, Belvidere. 10 a.m.-5 pm.
Admission: $5. Proceeds go to care
of the animals. Info: 815-547-4852.
Tour De North End Bike Festival – North
End businesses promote bicycle safety.
Begin at Olympic Tavern at 1 p.m., sign
your safety waiver, receive an official
TDNE Passport, and head off to nine
participating bars and restaurants.
Info: www.tourdenorthend.com.
KX Evolution launches ‘A Fitness Movement’ – Delarosa’s Submission
Wrestling Academy, 3261 Forest
View Road. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Promoting Kardio-Xercise products.
Stephenson County Fair – Fair runs
thruJuly 15. Grandstand: Reserved
seats for Travis Tritt at 8 p.m. Tickets: $15 or $20. General seats,
$10 each. Other tickets for Tractor
Pulls, Hotel California, Carnival rides.
Wristband rides: Tickets may be
purchased in person at 2250 S.
Walnut Road, Freeport, or by phone
at 815-235-2918.
All Abilities Wheelchair Softball Tournament – Indoor Sports Center,
8800 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park.
8 a.m.-4 p.m. Tournament’s two divisions are: Friends and Family (ages
6 and older) and Competitive (ages
18 and older). Each team must have
10-13 players with minimum of four
players of each gender. Team fee:
$45, incl. T-shirts, door prize, raffle
tickets, two-game minimum. Music
and concession foods and beverages. Info: 815-987-1609.
USATF F.I.R.E. Invitation – Christian
Life High School, 5950 Spring Creek
Road, Rockford. Begins at 8 a.m.
Eight divisions for boys and girls.
Team entries are still being accepted;
teams must meet certain requirements. Open to unattached athletes,
ages 5-18. Info: 815-962-7469.
Wildflower Weekend – Nygren Wetland Preserve, 3190 W. Rockton
Road, Rockton. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat.
and Sun. Today: Children and Families Day with activities, displays and
tours from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. New;
Photo Scavenger Hunt & Contest.
Hosted by Natural Land Institute.
Info: 815-964-6666.
Pec River Fest Weekend – Lena Community Park District. Summer Flotilla. The 7.9-mile tour begins at
McConnell Bobtown Landing and
ends at McNeil’s Damascus Landing. A sag pontoon, lunch and shuttle
transportation are included. A limited number of canoes and kayaks
are available for rent. $20/$30 w/
rental. Info: 815-369-5351.
Stewardship Saturday – Atwood Center, Seth B. Atwood Park. 9-11 a.m.
Help the park district with maintenance. Info: 815-987-8800.
Rock County Cancer Coalition Rummage Sale – KUTTER HarleyDavidson Pavilion, 3223 N. Pontiac,
Janesville, Wis. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Monetary donations welcome, too. Info:
www.Rockcountycancercoalition.org.
Yoga Nidra – Womanspace, 3333
Maria Linden Drive. 9-10 a.m. Age
14 and up, females and males. Fee:
$13, members $12. Learn deep
relaxation. Info: 815-877-0118.
U.S. Youth Soccer ODP Region II Tournament & College Showcase –
Sportscore II Soccer Complex, 8800
E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park. 8 a.m.noon and 4-8 p.m. Boys and girls
ODP teams from 12 states compete. Free to public.
USATF F.I.R.E. Invitation – Christian
Life High School, 5950 Spring Creek
Road, Rockford. Begins at 8 a.m.
Eight divisions for boys and girls. Info:
815-962-7469.
Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful Summer Clothing Drive – All Hilander
Foods locations, including 3710 N.
Main St., also Cherry Valley and
Roscoe. 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. Bring soft
goods in plastic bags, no hangers.
Shoes should be tied together.
Square Foot Gardening – John Deere
Historic Site, 8334 Clinton St., Grand
Detour, Dixon. 10-11 a.m. and 1-2
p.m. Presented by University of Illinois Extension Ogle County Master
Gardener Larry Ermey. Gardening
questions answered, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Info: 815-732-2191.
Adult Grief Support Group – Beloit
Regional Hospice, 655 Third St.,
Vibe
TV Listings
July 11-17, 2012
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Across
1 Mrs. Lincoln’s maiden name
5 Rep.’s counterpart
8 Average of the sum
12 Woodwind
13 Drink with ice
14 Stew
15 European shade tree (2 words)
17 “Fine by me”
18 Surpass in number of sales
20 Fisherman’s haul
23 Verona wine
26 Story scenario
27 Cooks an egg, perhaps
29 Electronic banker
30 Military uniform cloth
31 To the ___ degree
33 Give out
35 Plaintiff
36 Golf’s ___ Cup
37 Parts of a cricket game
38 Die out
41 Son of Isaac
44 The best grapes are like this
48 Microprocessor type
49 Meadow mother
50 Stumble
51 Church nook
52 Special sense
53 Spooky
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2
3
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16
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SATURDAY AFTERNOON, JULY 14
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Men Bang
Suite 200, Beloit, Wis. 10-11:30 a.m. Open to anyone in
the community who has experienced a death. No charge,
but advance registration is required. Info: 608-363-7421
or 877-363-7421.
Hip Hop Congress Presents – Rockford Public Library, Main
Library Auditorium, 215 N. Wyman St. 2-5 p.m. Ages 1019. Info: 815-965-7606.
Square Food Gardening – John Deere Historic Site, 8334
Clinton Road, Grand Detour, Dixon. 10-11 a.m. and 1- 2
p.m. Info: 815-732-2191.
25th Journey of Hope Team – Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity brothers
cycle for disabled people. Meet these men as they arrive at
Pennock YMCA at 1:30 p.m. after a 110-mile ride from
Dubuque, Iowa. A program of Push America. Info: 704-5042400, ext. 234.
In Print Writers Meeting – Cherry Valley Public Library, 755
E. State St., Cherry Valley. 1-4 pm. Info: 815-275-9226.
Cake Decorating for Teens – Rockford Public Library, Main
Library Auditorium, 215 N. Wyman St. 2-3:30 p.m. Ages
13-19. How to decorate a fun or fancy cake. Info: 815-9657606.
Winemaking – Angelic Organics Learning Center, 1547
Rockton Road, Caledonia. 3-6 p.m. Make a small batch of
wine, using wild fruits. Pre-register. Cost: $65. Info: 815389-8455 , www.learngrowconnect.org.
Family Skate – Carlson Arctic Ice Arena & Sapora Playworld,
4150 N. Perryville Road, Loves Park. 8 p.m. Info: 815969-4069.
Adult Grief Support Group – Beloit Regional Hospice Office,
655 Third St., Suite 200, Beloit, Wis. 6-7:30 p.m. Info:
608-363-7421.
Public Skating – Riverview Ice House, 324 N. Madison St. Info: 815963-7465.
Public Skating – Carlson Arctic Ice Arena & Sapora Playworld,
4150 N. Perryville Road. Info: 815-969-4069.
All Star 100 Super Late Model Event – Rockford Speedway,
9572 Forest Hills Road, Loves Park. See Super Late
Models as drivers attempt to add their names to the AllStar 100 winners list. Also: The Sportsman, Road Runners, American Super Cups and 2nd over the Line Wins
race. Spectator gates open at 5 pm., qualifying begins at
5;55, with first race at 7:07 p.m. Adult general admission
tickets are $15. Students ages 12-17 are $10, ages 11
and younger, free. Info: 815-633-1500 or
www.rockfordspeedway.com.
Sunday, July 15
Country Music Show: School Supplies Fund-raiser w/host
B95’s Bryan Adams – The House Café, 263 E. Lincoln
Hwy., DeKalb. 1:30-4:30 p.m. Admission is donation of
school supplies: tote bag, backpack, writing paper, notebooks, pencils, pens, crayons, glue, rulers, etc. Call Gary
Mullis at 815-762-5589 for more details.
Amazing Farm Animals Day Camp – Angelic Organics Learning
Center, 1547 Rockton Road, Caledonia. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Learn
about livestock thru games and hands-on experience. Cost:
$170. Pre-register. Info: 815-389-8455 or
Wildflower Weekend – Nygren Wetland Preserve, 3190 W.
Rockton Road, Rockton. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat. and Sun. Today:
Quiet Walks and Picnics. Enjoy nature as you watch birds
and other wildlife. Hosted by Natural Land Institute. Info:
815-964-6666.
Pec River Fest Weekend – Lena Community Park District.
Canoe/Kayak Races hosted by Park District, Friends of the
Pecatonica River, and sanctioned by Illinois Paddling Council.
Recreational Class will launch at Brewster Landing, Winslow,
Ill., travel downstream. Competition class will launch at
Browntown Public Boat Ramp, outside Browntown, Wis.
traveling downstream. Lunch and beverages provided to all
participants. Lunch tickets available for spectators. Fee: $20
to register. Info: 815-369-5351.
Versatile Herbs! Medicinal and Culinary Uses – Angelic
Organics Learning Center, 1547 Rockton Road, Caledonia.
1-4 p.m. Learn about culinary and medicinal uses for
herbs. Make recipes. Pre-register. Cost: $50. Info: 815389-8455 or www.learngrowconnect.org.
To Dream the Impossible Dream: A Retreat Nurturing Soulful
Connections & Leading from the Heart – Womanspace,
Fountain View Room, 3333 Maria Linden Drive. 1-5 p.m. Fee
$45 (members $40). Info: 815-877-0118.
U.S. Youth Soccer ODP Region II Tournament & College
Showcase – Sportscore II Soccer Complex, 8800 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Boys and girls ODP teams
from 12 states compete. Free to public.
“Celebration of Life” (Birthday Celebration for Andrew
John Cole) – Holy Temple Church, 520 W. Ringold St.,
Freeport. 3-5 p.m. Celebrate the 30th birthday of the son
of Carl and Dianna Cole. Info: 815-914-1487 or
[email protected].
Vacation Bible School – Calvary Christian Church, 5455
Charles St. 5:30-8:45 p.m. Every Sunday night in July.
Theme: “IncrediWorld Amazement Park.” Free. Info:
815-398-4940.
Waist sash
Small spot
Cook until very little liquid is
left
Proofreader’s mark
Snaky swimmers
One titled after another
Cash
Deer species
In the manner of (2 words)
Opponent’s vote
Exclamation of bewilderment
Places
Accountant
Change
The pinball wizard from The
Who
Concert location
Fragrant compound
Self-righteous or sanctimonious person
Piece of horse food
Understood
Timely units, abbr.
Bring forward as evidence
Graceful
Former
Weather goes with it
Bass
Age
Sample
Pompous fool
45 Formerly
46 Polite address to a customer
47 Operative
Solution to last
week’s
crossword puzzle
Crossword puzzle creator
Myles Mellor, of Lake View Terrace, Calif., has been creating
puzzles of various styles for
multiple publications for more
than eight years.
8
B
Vibe
July 11-17, 2012
Fairy Festival coming to Womanspace Aug. 4
Find Your Space
By Gale Ketteler
Womanspace Program Coordinator & Marketing Specialist
It’s nearly time for our
Fourth Annual Fairy Festival with Rockford Dance
Company! Don’t miss this
magical evening with fun
for all ages Saturday, Aug.
4. There will be dance, food, crafts, a scavenger hunt … and fairies, of course!
Families and guests of all ages can stroll the
beautiful gardens, the magical pine forest and
the Labyrinth on our prairie. Rockford Dance
Company will perform with new Artistic Director Matthew Keefe, and guests can make a
fairy crown and wand to take home.
Come early and bring your own picnic to
savor on the lawn. This magical event has
sold out in years past, so advance purchase
is recommended. Sponsors include Wonderland Books & Toys, Faeriefeather Design,
Comcast, B103 and 100.5 NTA FM, and all
proceeds benefit Womanspace and Rock-
Ice Cream Social – Beckman Mill Park,
11600 S. County Road H, Beloit,
Wis. Stroll the Oak Savanna Boardwalk, visit the museum, enjoy music
from Mill Road Band. Noon-4 p.m.
Free. Info: 608-751-1551.
Monday, July 16
Advanced Balance – OSF Saint Anthony Center for Health, 5510 E.
State St. 9:15-10:15 a.m. Helps participants continue to increase their
stability and balance. Completion of
first balance class is required before registering for this class. Day
pass $5; monthly pass $25 (corporate rate & seniors 65 and older);
$30 (automatic withdrawal with
credit card); $35 (cash or check per
month). Info: 815-395-4591.
Messy Mondays: Book Worms with
Cristi Kniess – Discovery Center
Museum, 711 N. Main St. 11 a.m.-3
p.m. Fee included with Museum admission: $7 adults; $7 children (ages
ford Dance Company.
Get into the fairy mode at Build a Fairy
House July 28. This is a fantastic morning
of fun for all ages in
our pine forest with
artist Norm Knott.
Symmetry/Chaos,
a fantastic art exhibit
sponsored by David
BoccignoneAmeriprise Financial, ends July 26,
and Every Little
Thing, an exhibit of
miniature art, opens
Aug. 3, just in time
for the Fairy Festival! Pottery, drawing, painting, jewelry
and
cartooning
classes for all ages meet this summer, so
please check our art schedule.
This Sunday afternoon, Kathy
Flannagan presents To Dream the Impossible
Dream:
A
Retreat
Nurturing Soulful Connections &
Leading from the Heart. If you tend to
2-17); free to Museum members
and children age 1 and younger.
Info: 815-963-6769.
Senior Computer Learning (six-week
class) – Rockford Public Library,
Rockton Centre Branch, 3112 N.
Rockton Ave. 1-3 p.m. Ages 55 and
older. Learn basic computer terminology, how to use a mouse. Registration
is not required. Info: 815-965-7606.
Teen Wired Café – Rockford Public
Library, East Branch, Community
Room, 6685 E. State St. 2-5 p.m.
Ages 10-19. Mingle with other teens,
surf the Internet, or make crafty
surprises. Info: 815-965-7606.
Kids Club – Rockford Public Library,
Lewis Lemon Branch, 1988 W.
Jefferson St. 4-5 p.m. Registration
is required. Info: 815-965-7606.
Salad on a Stick – Rockford Public
Library, Lewis Lemon Branch, 1988
W. Jefferson St. 4:30-5:30 p.m. Info:
815-965-7606.
Conversational Spanish – Rockford
Public Library, East Branch Book-
worm Bakery and Cafe, 6685 E.
State St. 6-7:30 p.m. All ages. Info:
815-965-7606.
Microsoft Excel 2010 – 3-Week Class
– Rockford Public Library, Rockton
Centre Branch, 3112 N. Rockton
Ave. 6-8 p.m. Ages 13 and older.
Must have a good understanding of
MS Word. Registration is not required. Info: 815-965-7606.
Baseball: Rockford RiverHawks vs. River
City Rascals – RiverHawks Stadium,
4503 Interstate Blvd., Loves Park. 7:05
p.m. Senior Citizen Night & Youth Clinics. Single-game tickets: $10 infield box,
$7 outfield box, $20 Diamond Deck
($15 kids 12 and younger); $2 parking.
Special: $2 off for active & retired
military, kids ages 3-12; age 2 and
younger, free. Info: 815-885-2255.
Gamblers Anonymous – Meets at 6
p.m. every Monday. Call Roger at
815-601-8894.
Rockford City Council – Council Chambers, Second Floor, Rockford City
Hall, 425 E. State St. 6 p.m.
see what is missing at work, home or
church, come explore ways to connect with
the energy of others so you can make
shared
dreams
come true. Lindsey
Halpern-Givens
leads SoulCollage:
Discover Your
Wisdom
…
Change
Your
World July 21. No
artistic ability is
required for this
fun process of creating cards to help
with life’s questions
and transitions.
The July 12 Supper and Film is Departures. An unemployed cellist’s new job is not, as he originally presumes, at a travel agency in Japan,
but entails preparing the bodies of the recently deceased. July 30, Judy Pickle and
Nancy Graham Miller lead a video discussion of Pray the Devil Back to Hell. This
is the astonishing story of the Liberian
Tuesday, July 17
their stability and balance. Day pass
$5; monthly pass $25 (corporate
rate & seniors 65 and older); $30
(automatic withdrawal with credit
card); $35 (cash or check per
month). Info: 815-395-4591.
Northern Illinois Agronomy Research
Center Agronomy Day – Agronomy
Research Farm, 14509 University
Road, Shabbona, Ill. Program starts
at 9:30 a.m. and ends with meal at
12:30 p.m. Topics: soybean yields,
corn rootworm issues, corn disease
identification and management, nutrient removal, weed control. Free
admission. Info: 815-274-1343.
Baseball: Rockford RiverHawks vs.
River City Rascals – RiverHawks
Stadium, 4503 Interstate Blvd., Loves
Park. 7:05 p.m. Kids Eat Free Night.
Single-game tickets: $10 infield box,
women who took on the warlords and regime of dictator Charles Taylor and won
peace for their shattered country in 2003.
Local Happiness Club leaders Kelly
Epperson and Jim Simmons lighten things
up with HAPPY: The Movie Aug. 7. This
film has won many awards and features our
Spring Luncheon keynote Marci Shimoff!
Bring your lunch and learn about Menopause and Osteoporosis from Dr. Jyothi
Gondi July18, sponsored by Sandra J. Slaga,
Attorney at Law. Meditation for Adults
meets on select Wednesday evenings, plus
you can also relax and stretch in weekly Yoga
for Women classes on Thursday mornings.
Remember, you don’t have to be a member to participate in our art classes, programs and special events. Womanspace is
inclusive of all women, men and children,
and it can be your place!
Gale Ketteler is program coordinator and
marketing specialist at Womanspace, a not-forprofit founded in 1975 and located on a 7-acre
campus a half-mile west of Rock Valley College
off Spring Brook and Applewood at 3333 Maria
Linden Drive in Rockford. Regular office hours
are 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Thursday. Info at
(815) 877-0118, [email protected],www.facebook.com/Womanspace
and www.womanspace-rockford.org.
$7 outfield box, $20 Diamond Deck
($15 kids 12 and younger); $2 parking. Special: $2 off for active & retired
military, kids ages 3-12; age 2 and
younger, free. Info: 815-885-2255.
Youth Tennis Lessons – Freeport Park
District, Read Park office. Dates: July
17-Aug. 2. 11 a.m.-noon. Fee is $40
residents $45 non-residents. Info:
815-235-6114, ext. 109.
Summer Teen’Scape – Rockford Public Library, Rock River Branch, 3128
11th St. 2-5 p.m. Ages 10-19. Play
games on Wii or Playstation, surf
the Internet, play board games, make
crafts. Info: 815-965-7606.
Senior Computer Learning, in Six Sessions – Rockford Public Library, Main
Library, 2nd Floor Computer Room,
215 N. Wyman St. 3-5 p.m. Ages 55
and older. Registration is required.
Info: 815-965-7606.
Senior Computer Q&A – Rockford
Public Library, Main Library, 2nd
Floor Computer Room, 215 N.
Wyman St. 3-5 p.m. Ages 55 and
.
Airdronic Test & Balance Inc Area Mechanical
Automatic Environmental
Axberg Heating Christiansen Inc
Comfort Zone Htg & Clg Commercial Refrigeration
D & E Sheet Metal DeKalb Mechanical
Distinguished Sheet Metal Freeport Industrial Roofing Inc
Freeport Sheet Metal Gilley’s Heating & AC
Heat-Co Mechanical Jim Holder Heating & AC
LM Sheet Metal Loescher Heating & AC
Master Sheet Metal Mechanical Inc
Metal Formers Inc Miller Engineering
National Metal Works Nesterowicz & Associates Inc
Northern Mechanical
Park Sheet Metal Rockford Heating & AC
Sheet Metal Connectors Inc Sterling Commercial Roofing
Superior Heating & AC Inc Total Plumbing
...
..
.. .
..
..
.
older. You’ve taken classes but still
have questions. Registration is required. Info: 815-965-7606.
“First and Third” Open Art Studio –
Rockford Public Library, Main Library,
Little Theatre, 215 N. Wyman St. 57 p.m. All ages. Info: 815-965-7606.
Daytime and Evening Adult Grief Support Groups – Beloit Regional Hospice, 655 Third St., Beloit, Wis. 12:30 p.m. and 6-7:30 p.m. Each
group meets for seven weeks. Register at 608-363-7421 or 877-3637421. No fee, but advance registration is required.
Family Story Hour – Rockford Public
Library, Rock River Branch, 3128
11th St. 6;30-7:30 p.m. All ages.
Info: 815-965-7606.
Pub Trivia – Hope and Anchor, 5040
N. Second St., Loves Park. 8 p.m.
Info: 815-633-2552.
[email protected].
Commentary
July 11-17, 2012
A
5
Roscoe sports park process stumbles, could run
Guest Column
By Sue Duhigg, Jackie Russell, and
Sally Wallace
Hononegah County Estates Residents
We believe, as do more than 300 of our
neighbors, that the Roscoe Sports Complex
will be an asset to our community and will
meet the recreational needs of many people.
Traffic and parking problems were of grave
concern to the majority of the more than 300
people who signed the petition. They agreed
that a solution regarding the traffic and
parking problems at the Roscoe Sports Complex needs to be reached that is mutually
acceptable to all parties.
One suggestion is for the Roscoe Township to approach the Catholic Diocese and
negotiate a long-term lease for an easement
on the Evergreen Manor side of the 15 acres
of land owned by the Catholic Diocese. An
entrance could then be designed at the corner of Straw Lane and Hononegah Road
and include a narrow strip of land leading to
the Sports Complex parking lot. Alternately,
an entrance directly off Hononegah Road
would also be a viable solution. This would
create an access road from a major thoroughfare like the entrances to the other
major sports complexes located in northern
Winnebago County.
Since our last guest column, the Roscoe
Township has released more information
about the sports complex and its use through
multiple media outlets. This information
could have easily been made available to us
when we made our first visit to the township tions on the part of the township should
offices June 11. In a telephone conference have been directed to the homeowners they
with one of the trustees recently, the com- had no problem contacting the sports teams.
ment was made, “I guess we should have Certainly, a Roscoe Township website would
be helpful in delivering timely information
sent letters to all of the homeowners.”
Well, the Roscoe Village did that in Febru- to area residents.
The Roscoe Township began grading the
ary of 2012. They notified homeowners who
live within 250 feet of the sports complex property prior to obtaining EPA approval to
property that there would be a zoning meet- drill an irrigation well. The well has been
ing Feb. 15. This was subsequently can- approved and drilled, the grading contincelled and rescheduled for March 21. We ues, and the dust is still flying. Why isn’t the
then received another letter notifying us of township making an effort to mitigate the
the March 21, meeting. We attended that blowing dirt? They were issued permits for a
water tanker truck to
meeting and adcontrol the dust on the
dressed the committee. It was at that time As of Friday, July 6, we have road going into the
we were told by the obtained more than 300 park and access to a
village attorney that signatures to our petition fire hydrant for irripurposes by the
we were in the wrong requesting
an alternate gation
North Park Public
venue and we needed
to address the Roscoe entrance to the sports complex. Water District. Why
weren’t these reTownship about the
sports complex. It wasn’t until after that sources to control the blowing dirt used?
meeting that any contact was made by us We’ve been told that the blowing dirt was an
act of God, and therefore, not under the
to Roscoe Township officials.
We were unaware of and not invited to a township’s control. Is this lack of regard for
Roscoe Township meeting regarding the homeowners’ concerns a foretaste of what’s
sports complex that took place March 14. It to come?
We also believe that any water well for this
was recently brought to our attention that
another resident of the subdivision had con- complex must be tested periodically for Volatacted Roscoe Township Trustee Tom Hawes tile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in the area
about the sports complex prior to the March because of the proximity of Superfund sites.
As of Friday, July 6, we have obtained
21 meeting. As a result, “Wallace and company” (as Hawes “politely” refers to us) more than 300 signatures to our petition
couldn’t have shown up at the March 14 requesting an alternate entrance to the
meeting; but if we had known about it, we sports complex. Some of the people we have
would have been there. Perhaps public rela- spoken with had a little information about
the sports complex, but many knew nothing
at all about it — a fact that township officials seem to find surprising. Information
released by Roscoe Township recently
through media outlets contains many conflicting statements. Sports field use, number of fields, number of parking spaces, and
the projected opening date, as well as the
cost of the project continue to be moving
targets. The bottom line is, let’s complete
this project in a way that will be mutually
satisfactory to all involved.
We also invite you to two public meetings
to Save Our Subdivisions.
If we are to reach a solution regarding the
traffic and parking problems at the Roscoe
Sports Complex that is mutually acceptable
to all parties, the more people who show up,
the better the result!
If you are really concerned about this
issue, your attendance is necessary at:
Roscoe Township Board meeting, Town
Hall 5792 Elevator Road, Wednesday, July
11, 7 p.m. The Public Comment Session has
a 3-minute limit.
AND
Join us at the Winnebago County Board
Meeting, Thursday, July 12, 6 p.m, County
Board Room, eighth floor, Winnebago County
Courthouse, 400 W. State St., Rockford.
If we stand together — we make change
happen!
Need more information? See articles in
The Rock River Times (June 20), Beloit
Daily News (July 3), www.wrex.com (7/3/
12), Register Star (July 6) or go to Facebook:
Roscoe Field.
New Roscoe park will be a wonderful
addition to the community
years ago. We have been in the process for a
number of years. The development of the
Guest Column
park has been in many newspapers and TV
Editor’s note: The following is in response
to the June 20-26 guest column “Sportscore
III in Roscoe?” by Hononegah County Estates residents Sally Wallace, Jackie Russell
and Sue Duhigg.
By Tom Hawes
Roscoe Township Trustee
I am responding to the guest column in
the June 20 edition of The Rock River Times
newspaper that was brought to my attention. The column was written by Sally
Wallace concerning the youth sports park
being built off Hononegah Road in Roscoe.
The park property is not part of a Superfund
site. There have been sites around the park,
but the closest — the Evergreen Manor site —
has been declared resolved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Warner
Electric site is too far away to be an issue.
There are no parks I am aware of that are
open 24 hours. Kelly/Myers Park, owned by
Roscoe Township, closes at night, and so
will this new park.
Sally Wallace’s volume of cars using the
park is overstated, as is the number of fields
to be completed in the first phase of park
construction. The access to the park is on
roads asked to be used by the citizens attending a public meeting last year. There
will be additional traffic at times on these
roads, as there is for Kelly/Myers Park and
village parks like Leland Park.
I have no answer to the information about
road improvements Sally Wallace obtained
from a grader operator working for the
contractor out of Freeport, Ill. The information is as good as the source.
This park has not been a secret. The
residents of Sally Wallace’s neighborhood
petitioned us to develop a park more than 10
reports. There have been numerous meetings, including a public meeting last year,
where all residents were notified.
I have answered all calls and questions
asked of me. Sally Wallace called me last
February and, among other things, told me
she and many others would be attending
the March 14 township meeting. She called
the township and left the same message
with township staff. I brought the park
engineer, the youth club team leaders and
the high school athletic director to that
meeting to answer their questions. No one
showed up. In fact, Sally Wallace and others
have never attended a township meeting.
Roscoe Township has stepped up to fill
the void of needed recreation facilities in our
community. We built Hononegah Recreation Path more than 23 years ago. Since
then, we have built Kelly/Myers Park, the
Ken-Wood-Creek Path, the Stone Bridge
Trail, the Roscoe Middle School Path and
the Kinnikinnick Nature Preserve.
We have been good stewards of these
facilities in our community. None of these
facilities was developed without detractors.
Please be assured we will do all we can to be
a good neighbor in the use of these facilities.
How about a little “glass half full”? Your
neighbors like Dave Yeske, Larry Paye and
many others worked very hard to bring a beautiful park to your neighborhood. This could have
easily been another subdivision or an industrial
or commercial development. Instead, they have
brought a much-needed facility for the youth of
Roscoe. Many other sports areas have been in
flood plains and have not worked well for running programs for the youth. This facility will be
a wonderful addition to our community.
Tom Hawes is a Roscoe Township Trustee.
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A
July 11-17, 2012
Escaping Leviathan
funding will have to come out of other areas
of the budget. That is how we end up paying
for this “gift from above.”
Advocates for bigger government see no
By Michael Kleen
In this column, I problem with this, however, because they
will tackle two sub- believe government can never run out of
jects: state and fed- money. When the need arises, it can simply
eral grants, and take whatever it wants from you or your
Prof. John Kindt’s business to cover the holes in its budgets.
guest column (“Bud- Advocates for smaller government, on the
get solution for Illi- other hand, believe, at the very least, govnois: Tax gambling, ernment should take care of all its bills and
not people,” July 4- liabilities first before taking on any new
10 issue) on Illinois projects and expenses.
If you think I am exaggerating when I
gambling taxation in
last week’s issue of describe the mentality of big-government
The Rock River Times. Both of these sub- advocates, look no further than Prof. Kindt’s
jects nicely illustrate the difference between guest column in last week’s issue of The Rock
advocates for bigger government and advo- River Times. Prof. Kindt’s very first assercates for smaller government when it comes tion is that Illinois would have a balanced
to the relationship between government budget today if not for the billions of dollars
“given away” to Illinois gambling interests.
and wealth.
How was that money “given away”? The
Advocates for bigger government believe
State of Illinois althe money you earn,
whether it be Advocates for bigger government lowed casinos to keep
more of their profit
through wages or
income from a busi- believe the money you earn, by not taxing them
ness, does not belong whether it be through wages or as much. Read that
to you. In other income from a business, does not sentence again very
words, government, belong to you. In other words, carefully. You see,
according to this
be it state, local or
federal, should take government, be it state, local or logic, the amount of
what it needs from federal, should take what it needs profit a business
you first, and then from you first, and then you get to makes is at the
mercy of the state. If
you get to keep whatyour taxes are low, it
ever is left. They be- keep whatever is left.
is because the state
lieve politicians and
other government officials know what is has decided to give you a gift. After all, it
could take everything if it wanted.
best for you and will spend accordingly.
And that is exactly what Prof. Kindt arAdvocates for smaller government, on the
other hand, believe every dollar you earn is gues. Illinois should simply take 100 peryours first and foremost. When you give cent of a casino’s profit to pay its bills. “Why
some of it to the government, you are expect- not?” he asks. You see, when a privatelying it be spent frugally and wisely on a owned casino makes a profit, it is exploiting
limited number of basic services. They be- the poor and vulnerable. When it is providlieve that, although you are not perfect, ing revenue for the state, however, that
ultimately decisions about how to spend makes it acceptable; even desirable.
So, here we have two different ways to look at
your money should be left to you.
Consider government grants. This is money government and wealth. On one hand, we have
given by the state or federal government for people who believe we work to provide the
some purpose that the recipient does not government with revenue to fund the dreams
have to pay back. Lately, several million and desires of policymakers and politicians. On
dollars in “economic development” grant the other hand, we have people who believe we
money has been given by the State of Illinois work to take care of ourselves and our families,
to Rockford-area agencies. This grant money to fulfill our own dreams and desires, and that
is not, as some seem to believe, “manna from policymakers and politicians come last.
The better you understand this divide,
Heaven.” It came from the tax dollars that we
pay to the State of Illinois. Currently, Illinois the better equipped you will be to demand
has about $5-$7 billion (give or take) in that government lower taxes and rein in
unpaid bills and unfunded liabilities. Every spending. The government is full of people
dollar the state gives away in grant money is who believe your wealth belongs to them
and that they know what is best for you.
a dollar that is not going to pay those bills.
Furthermore, once the grant-funded They do not believe in limits to government
projects are completed, someone has to pay spending, and they will never live within
to maintain them. And that is assuming the their means if left to their own devices.
Michael Kleen is a local author, historian,
grant is enough to cover all of the construction costs. From where do you think that and owner of Black Oak Media. He holds a
money will come? Local government will cry master’s degree in history and master’s dethat budgets are stretched to the breaking gree in education. Read his previous colpoint, and either your taxes will be raised or umns online at makleen.com.
Editorial cartoon by Charles Story
Keepin’ it Kleen
Editorial Philosophy
All opinions expressed by our columnists are their own and do not necessarily reflect the
opinion of the publisher or staff of The Rock River Times. However, we are proud to
publish our columnists to express the constitutional right of free speech. No matter how
much we may disagree with a columnist, their opinions are their own and will be respected
as long as they do not commit libel and do come in on deadline. The Rock River Times
strives to truly be the voice of our community, whether liberal, moderate or conservative.
First Amendment
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably
to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Q
uestion of
the Week
Vote at
www.rockrivertimes.com
Do you support the Rockford police union’s demand for $100 per shift in
“hazard pay” for police officers working west of the Rock River?
LAST WEEK — 62 RESPONDENTS:
Do you agree with the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Patient
Protection and Affordable Care Act (informally known as “Obamacare”)?
No 60% [37 votes]
Yes 40% [25 votes]
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Where’s the fight against higher taxes?
I’m writing to find out if you know of any
local groups who might be organizing a fight
against the property tax rates in this area
that have been rising since I moved here six
years ago.
I’m in Boone County, and from what I
understand, rates are even higher in Rockford. I’m aware of law firms that handle
personal appeals. I just contracted with one,
but I don’t have much hope after speaking
with the attorney.
The problem I see coming is if the multipliers stay at the levels they have just been
raised to or get raised even higher, we are
heading down a path of real estate Armageddon. With artificially low mortgage rates,
I wonder how many people are looking ahead
five to 10 years when housing prices rise,
demand increases, assessed valuations go
up, and suddenly their taxes are 20 to 30
percent more than they are now.
Smart buyers will be looking at tax rates
first and the cost of the house second. As
interest rates rise and mortgages become
more expensive, who will want to live here if
things continue this way? If small/rural
municipalities keep taking the easy way out
and taxing the homeowners to solve all their
problems, they will destroy the tax base by
driving people away.
You don’t have to be a Rhodes Scholar to
see where this is headed. I do believe this is
happening all over the country, but our
leaders need to start getting creative about
the way they solve fiscal problems. Unfortunately, I don’t see any creative thinking
concerning new ways to generate revenue. I
have heard a lot of complaints about this
issue, but I haven’t heard anyone looking
ahead at where this could take us. People
seem fixated on “now.” I’m concerned about
the future damage these short-term fixes
will cause. Any ideas?
Thanks, and keep up the good work at
The Rock River Times.
Paul Rung
Boone County resident
Editor’s note: I think it is a fine idea to ask
our readers what their ideas are for providing revenue to government entities besides
taxation and competition with the private
sector. Boone County publishes property tax
assessment every October, call 815-544-2958
in September for the exact date. Property
owners have only 30 days after that October
publication to appeal any changes. Watch
the pages of the Belvidere Daily Republican
or visit www.boonecountyil.org. When you
receive your tax bill in May, it will be too late
to protest; you have to make your appeal
within 30 days after the previous October
assessment publication date. Hope this helps,
and that you find like-minded folks interested in organizing to fight tax rates. — FS.
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Thanks for ‘A Healing Journey’ success
The Grief Center of Northern Illinois
Hospice extends its deepest gratitude to
everyone who supported A Healing Journey: On Butterfly Wings. June 24, 350
people came together at Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden to release 29
dozen butterflies in celebration of loved
ones who have died.
A special thank you to our sponsors: BuckWheeler Hyland Funeral Home; the Rockford Register Star; Harder Sign Co.; 23
WIFR; Cremation Society of Illinois;
Fitgerald Funeral Home & Crematory; Meridian, Inc.; and Sundberg Funeral Home,
Ltd. A special thank you to our in-kind
contributors, who didn’t hesitate a minute
to help: Jeff Gray/Gray’s Foods, State Street
McDonald’s of Belvidere/The Koteles Organization, and Woodman’s. Our local media,
thank you as well for your coverage.
We also would like to thank Associated
Bank customers, RVC Psych/Soc Club and
other donors who helped grieving individuals facing financial challenges attend the
event. Klehm, thank you for sharing your
magnificent Fountain Garden with us; Fr.
Beauvais, your healing message was a gift
to our participants; and volunteers – what
an amazing group you are!
Though a butterfly release does not eliminate grief, we hope our participants draw
comfort from the knowledge that so many in
our community care and support them.
Lisa Novak
Executive Director
Northern Illinois Hospice and Grief Center
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Where’s the Tea Party now?
Twenty-two other states and John McCain
recently joined Montana to defend its 1912
law against unfettered corporate campaign
contributions, which had been passed because legislators were controlled by corporate money. In an extension of its 2010
Citizens United decision, the U.S. Supreme
Court just went further to say that states
cannot have laws that contradict it.
Besides the obvious perils of anonymous,
unlimited, corporate money flooding American politics, there are two things here that
really bother me. The first is that labor
unions — even in their heyday — had only
a fraction of the money of corporate
America, and Republicans are out to eliminate them — as evidenced by the 10-1
spending in Wisconsin’s recall election,
which was prompted by Gov. [Scott]
Walker’s attempt to weaken and eventually kill the unions.
Second, the big-government-hating Tea
Party is deafeningly silent about the Supreme
Court’s obvious trampling on Montana’s (et
al) state’s rights. They seem outraged by big
government only when it suits them — like
trumping up bogus fears over imaginary plans
to take away their guns.
I doubt if we’ll hear a peep out of Robert
Schilling, since he had already received
$6,000 from the Koch brothers in January.
But Cheri Bustos values the integrity of our
votes. She has said she will fully support
campaign finance reform. Let’s give her a
chance to do that next November. This may
be the signature issue of our time.
Caryn Unsicker
Silvis, Ill.
Commentary/News/Renewable Energy
Legislators must address the pension crisis
Guest Column
By Rep. Jim Sacia
We learned June 21 that “The Five Leaders” met for more than two hours and could
not come up with an answer to the state’s
growing pension crisis.
What a tremendous grasp of the obvious.
Must we feel that assembling the governor,
the Senate president, the Speaker of the House,
and their respective minority leaders and
staffs is going to resolve the hugest crisis
Illinois has ever faced? The answer is simple,
and it’s almost an insult to every one of the
12.8 million citizens of the great state — “NO.”
There are 177 elected members of the
Illinois General Assembly. You elected us –
arguably, we created or at least allowed the
problem to explode out of control. Assemble
us and let’s fix it. I wrote Speaker Mike
Madigan and Leader Tom Cross June 22
asking for a “meeting of the whole”; yes,
every one of the 118 members of the House,
with the hopes that the Senate would do the
same. This thing truly is the 800-pound
gorilla in the room, and we cannot ignore
the short- and long-term ramifications.
My good friend and former deputy superintendent, Dr. Joe Crawford, shared with
me an old Russian proverb: “When you are
dancing with a bear, you can’t quit if you get
tired.” All of us want this problem to just go
away. We are tired of it. Well, thanks to our
parents, we are the baby boomers now approaching retirement, and, simply put, down
the road there won’t be enough money to go
around. Blame it on a sagging stock market
The demerits of an unmerited teacher pay system
Awards with their agreed-upon standard for
if we had more of the latter, we might not selecting its winners? I once attended a Those
have so many functional illiterates crossing Who Excel banquet where winning teachers
the stage to receive their diploma.
actually had cheerleading sections in attenOrvis throws up rhetorically inflated ques- dance. If we can figure out who gets Golden
tions as obstacles to using testing to deter- Apple or Those Who Excel honors, we can use
mine teacher eligibility for merit pay, ques- the same criteria for merit pay, or those
tions such as “Can we say cultural and re- awards are nothing but a sham with nothing
gional identity?” Can
to cheer about.
I say, “Oh, please!”?
Orvis adds nepoThe former is code for, The education establishment tism and subjectivity
“We teachers know ballyhoos that merit pay pits to her list of merit pay
your bell bottoms and teacher against teacher, but that crimes.Listen.District
name-brand sports
205 drips with union
gear is more impor- happens whenever good teachers nepotism. I knew of
tant to you than a di- lose their jobs in order to pay one situation where a
ploma,” and the lat- teachers good or bad annual union-approved “honter says, “Rather than
ors” teacher turned in
seniority pay increases.
damage your fragile
a semester’s worth of
self-esteem by corlesson plans consistrecting non-standard regional colloquialisms, ing of 16 words! An objective system of merit pay
y’all can keep on using them.”
would end such abuses.
Orvis no doubt loves her students, but I
Above all, I submit the greatest case for
wonder if that love extends to faith in their merit pay would be the elimination of the
ability to meet a challenge; perhaps not, current system of merit pay, one which all
considering the minor obstacles she envi- teachers with seniority receive, whether they
sions in the examples she gives.
deserve it or not, and which is often funded at
Orvis asks how can we possibly know who the expense of teachers just as dedicated and
should get merit pay? Does she really have to passionate about teaching as Orvis, but who
ask, or has she not heard of the Golden Apple have little or no seniority. The education
establishment ballyhoos that merit pay pits
teacher against teacher, but that happens
whenever good teachers lose their jobs in
order to pay teachers good or bad annual
seniority pay increases. It leads to bitterness
and heartbreak and has been a real problem
for District 205 efforts to recruit minority
teachers, since minority students in colleges
and universities across the nation have been
warned of Rockford’s notorious reputation
for firing new and beginning teachers without seniority. Orvis may think that merit pay
isn’t as good as it sounds, but when you
consider the devastation left in the wake of
seniority rights coming first, especially where
minority teachers are concerned, I submit
that it sounds a clarion call to reform!
So if passion and dedication are Orvis’ sole
objectives, and she, like others like her don’t
want that passion tainted by grubby merit pay
money, why not donate their merit pay earnings to the general fund of the schools in which
they teach? That would give each merit pay
recipient an added dimension to their passion
for learning and dedication to students.
Tim Hughes is a former teacher in Rockford
School District 205 who coached debate and
taught English at Auburn High School for 20
years. At Auburn, he coached three debate
teams to first-place national championships.
July 11-17, 2012
A
7
County board should
postpone landfill ...
important factor in the quality of life. What
prospective home or business owner will purchase property in an area that smells like
garbage? Just this past Sunday night, July 8,
after our local heat wave ended and we could
open our windows, we were greeted with the
sweet smell of landfill. Many residents have
reported in the past that the odors were so
strong as to give them headaches or make
them feel nauseous. I haven’t heard those
stories lately, but the odors remain.
We should not approve the expansion of the
landfill until all the
odor concerns have We need to
been addressed.
“I’m for economic a d d r e s s
development” is a e c o n o m i c
common politician d e v e l o p m e n t
tag line. The landfill concerns before
expansion risks taxpayer investments the expansion
in land surrounding is approved.
the landfill, and the
economic development of that region. The
county and local developers have worked to
create a special economic development zone
near the landfill, an area that now may be
adversely affected by the landfill expansion.
New business may not want to build right
next to the new, expanded landfill, jeopardizing public and private investments.
We need to address economic development
concerns before the expansion is approved.
I hold out little hope that the landfill
expansion can be stopped. So, I’m simply
asking the county board to postpone the
expansion vote — to reduce the chance of
a lawsuit, to give time for the landfill to
address all odor concerns, and to assess
the economic impact of an expanded landfill on the economic development of adjacent properties.
Paul Gorski is a Cherry Valley Township
resident and a former Winnebago County
Board member.
Cherry Valley telecom tax eliminated
Staff Report
CHERRY VALLEY, Ill. — Residents of
the Village of Cherry Valley should see their
phone bill go down beginning with the July
phone bill they receive in August.
At the beginning of 2012, Cherry Valley’s
Village Board voted to eliminate the
community’s 6 percent telecommunication tax.
With an increase in sales tax revenues,
the village opted to eliminate the telecommunication tax, which was bringing in nearly
$10,000 per month over the past two years.
The elimination of the municipal telecommunication tax took affect July 1 and
should be reflected when residents receive
their July phone bill in August.
Because some village residents have Rockford mailing addresses, the village is encouraging its residents to review their bill
for July service to make sure the tax has
been taken off, and to contact their phone
provider if the tax has not been removed.
GMO and GE under attack
sale and planting of genetically engineered
crops during any legal appeals process.
Legal advocates have successfully won in
the past the right to halt the sale and planting
of unapproved GMO crops while the approval
of those crops is under review by a federal
judge. The provision, penned the Monsanto
Protection Act, would strip judges of their
constitutional mandate to protect consumer
rights and the environment, while opening up
the floodgates for the planting of new, untested
genetically engineered crops, endangering
farmers, consumers and the environment.
Monsanto is intent on using its strong
lobby to undermine more basic civil rights.
Numerous online petitions are available to
sign to keep the not-so-jolly giant from imposing GMOs as it attempted and failed for
alfalfa and sugar beets. Petitions have signatures of more than 100,000 people thus far.
The Atlantic recently featured a scathing
story about Monsanto and genetically engineered crops, pointing to the mixing of different strains of DNA into crops, saying, of
course, that all is safe. The article called into
question Monsanto’s claims.
The Atlantic article said genetically engineered crops are laboratory-made, using technology that is totally different from natural
breeding methods, and pose different risks
from non-GE crops. The story said GEs can be
toxic, allergenic or less nutritious than their
natural counterparts and do not increase yield
potential. The story also said GEs can lead to
even more “superweeds” that resist herbicides.
The impact to our eco-system could be
devastating and long lasting.
As a result of lack of labeling, many Americans still are unfamiliar with what is genetically engineered food. A California ballot initiative coming up in November would require
labeling of genetically engineered foods and
food ingredients, and ban the routine industry
practice of labeling and marketing such foods
as “natural.” Natural foods are not scrutinized
by the FDA, only foods that claim to be organic.
In 2007, then-Sen. Barack Obama said
while campaigning for the presidency that
he would label GE foods. The White House
recently released the following statement:
“Genetically modified crops hold out the
promise of benefits like increased production
and reduced reliance on pesticides. At the
same time, some Americans want more information to help them choose their food. President Obama understands these concerns and
is considering additional steps in this area.”
Comedian Bill Maher, a staunch supporter
both verbally and financially of Obama, called
for the labeling of GMOs and GEs on his Home
Box Office show recently. He chastised the
president for the lack of GMO labeling and for
the naming of former Monsanto kingpin
Michael Taylor to the FDA.
Organics buying shift
Organics in stores has shifted. USA Today
reported this week that major grocery chain
stores have caught up to specialty health food
stores in the selling of organic food. Stores such
as Kroger/Schnucks, Woodman’s and Target
are outpacing the smaller stores in organic sales.
The larger retailers are now offering staples in
organics as well as specialty products. Target
has its own line of organic and natural foods.
Bringing organic food to big retailers only
enhances education of organics and helps
implement them into daily use.
Monsanto abroad
Beginning in January, companies in
India will have to specify
whether food products contain genetically modified
ingredients. The government in India installed new
rules that mandate that
packaged food products
carry a “GM” tag.
Monsanto also reportedly
lost a large lawsuit in Brazil
recently regarding patents
that could cost the companies big money.
To keep the pressure on
GMO and GE foods, every
citizen needs to get involved.
Community choice aggregation as ...
solutions for local economies. Greening the
grid at the local level creates new local jobs
while lowering energy bills.
Paul Fenn is a leading expert on community choice, as he co-authored the original
community choice law in Massachusetts
while serving as director of the Massachusetts Senate Committee on Energy. His
ongoing efforts include work in California,
Massachusetts, Illinois, Ohio, New Jersey
and overseas.
For Fenn, the creation of a CCA only
makes economic sense if local renewable
energy sources are included from the very
start. He points to northeast Ohio as one
example of the success of his approach. It
serves a million people and delivers
greener power at lower costs than either
utilities or deregulated power marketers
are able to deliver.
A CCA called Cape Light Compact has
provided power to Cape Cod, Nantucket
and Martha’s Vineyard for more than a
decade. In California, Marin Clean Energy
is already providing 25 percent of the power
to its participants at the same rates as
PG&E. The power it provides is 78 percent
greenhouse-gas-free.
Fenn’s work is focused on mayors, city
council members and other local and regional government leaders determined to
implement local solutions to the energy
challenges we face. He sees it as technically feasible to supply 50 to 75 percent of
local energy needs from renewable sources
over a five-year time period.
The technologies used to reach this
level of service will differ by place based
on local resources, weather conditions,
variations in energy demand and local
governance authority. Fenn’s expertise
involves figuring out how far and how
fast any county or municipal government can transform its community energy supply by increasing its reliance on
conservation, efficiency and renewable
energy sources without increasing utility bills.
In Boulder, Colo., up to 12 different technologies are being considered in a program
to provide at least 50 percent of its energy
needs from local distributed sources. The
design includes local energy storage and
smart-grid applications.
For Fenn and his firm, Local Power,
Inc., creating a CCA authority is a means
to a larger goal of assisting local governments in determining the energy systems
that get built to serve local energy needs.
Fenn is a keynote speaker at this year’s
11th Annual Illinois Renewable Energy
and Sustainable Lifestyle Fair Aug. 1112 at the Ogle County Fairgrounds in
Oregon, Ill.
Major sponsors are the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation and The Rock
River Times.
Drs. Robert and Sonia Vogl are founders
and officers of the Illinois Renewable Energy Association (IREA) and coordinate the
annual Renewable Energy and Sustainable
Lifestyle Fair. E-mail [email protected].
8
A
Commentary
July 11-17, 2012
Big Thinkers
Start Small
Is your child ready? We think so.
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Wed, July 18, 8:30 - 11:30 am
Call 815/332-8101
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Located on Newburg two blocks east of Perryville
8101 Sayer Road
Rockford, Il 61108
Toddler (age 2)
through Middle School
Social Security: What you should
know about the Trustees’ Report
Guest Column
can expect to be unaffected by the deteriorating financial picture in Social Security.
Third, the government expanded the public
Editor’s note: The following is in response subsidies of the system in 2011. The federal
to the July 4-10 guest column “How to save government has subsidized the Social Security
Social Security 101,” by David Soll, a Demo- system with dollar-for-dollar deficit spending
cratic candidate for Winnebago County since the mid-1970s when it introduced the
Earned Income Tax Credit. The level of subBoard in District 20.
sidy was expanded in 2011 to include $103
By Brenton Smith
billion in payroll tax-holiday funding. This
Fix Social Security Now
Your edition gave David Soll an opportu- change expands the revenue reach of the sysnity to discuss how to fix Social Security. He tem from the capped wages of covered workers
described Social Security as pre-paid insur- to all future income streams of all Americans.
ance. According to the Trustees of the sys- This is really bad news for younger Americans.
tem, Social Security is not pre-paid. In fact, The system may not be there for them, but the
it is a pay-as-you-go system that is $20.5 debt created by the subsidies will be.
Fourth,thesystemnolongergeneratesenough
trillion short of what it needs to meet its
promises (page 15 of the Trustees’ Report). to cover scheduled benefits. In 2012, Social
To describe that as pre-paid insurance Security used interest from the Trust Fund to
cover the shortfall. This process has long-term
stretches the imagination.
Soll’s portrayal of Paul Ryan’s plan is consequences for the federal government, which
completely uninformed. It didn’t end Social has enjoyed the benefit of the excess cash flow to
Security. Technically, it expanded Social finance the debt. These long-term consequences
Security with new benefits that don’t exist are very bad news for younger Americans, who
today. It would have created guarantees will have to support the increased cost of the
nation’s debt as the government moves financthat today’s seniors do not have.
Soll’s proposals are difficult to measure being from trapped capital to the public markets.
Fifth, many pundits will make misleading
cause he provides no independent research.
But it is possible to say he has the wrong figures statements about what the Trustees have said
for the taxable wage base (the cap) and the by suggesting that Social Security will take in
wrong payroll tax rates. It is also possible to enough revenue to keep all of its promises for
question his summary. Today, the system is the next 30 years, without any changes at all.
short $20.5 trillion. His solution is to have The Trustees’ projections are based on a good
fewer workers paying into the system and economy. The pundits leave off the conditional
more taking out of the system. That doesn’t clause, “if the assumptions are right.”
Some of these assound like a fix.
sumptions are pure
I work with Fix Social Security Now. I These long-term consequences fantasy. The Trusthope you would use are very bad news for younger ees, for example, silo
your outlet as a venue Americans, who will have to the system from
known external
for sensible discussions of the problems support the increased cost of the events like the colin Social Security. To- nation’s debt as the government lapse of Medicare.
Trustees
day, someone as old as moves financing from trapped The
present these two
63 can expect to be
capital
to
the
public
markets.
programs as sepaaffected by forced benrate entities. While
efit reductions. Do you
think that “Then, double the current amounts they may be separate legal entities, they
given to each retiree up and down the entire draw financial resources from the same tax
scale, another economic boon,” really gives the base just like two straws drinking from one
subject the deliberation it deserves? Millions of soda. What one takes the other cannot. If
Medicare reaches insolvency in 2024, as the
people depend upon this system.
This is a piece that tells people the five Trustees have separately said, Congress
things they should understand about the will have the following three choices:
1. Divert some of the payroll taxes away
2012 Social Security Trustees’ Report.
from Old-Age Insurance to Medicare;
Five things you should know about The
2. Divert general taxes away from debt
Trustees’ Report
control; or
By JoeTheEconomist
3. Redefine Medicare benefits.
In April, the Social Security Board of TrustYounger Americans should pay very close
ees released a dismal report Michael J. Astrue,
commissioner of Social Security, described attention to another assumption built into
as troubling. The media compressed the re- the 2033 equation. Once the Trust Fund is
port into a headline: “Social Security short- exhausted, benefits will be cut by a projected
ens timeline for trust fund by 3 years.” The 25 percent. While younger Americans may
public further shortened the hundreds of not be directly affected by the forced benefit
reductions, they will be indirectly affected as
pages of the report into four digits: 2033.
Many younger Americans dismiss the their parents’ benefits are cut. So, the Trustreport because they believe the Social Secu- ees are assuming that future workers will
rity system will not be there for them. It is a contribute as much in payroll taxes as today,
mistake to ignore the deterioration of the despite increased parental support and insystem because the consequences of a crisis creased costs to manage the debt. This asin Social Security will be there for all Ameri- sumption is no more realistic than projecting
cans. This is what the report means to you. that leprechauns will spit out gold coins to
First, the financial picture worsened over pay for the system.
Many younger Americans ignore Social
the past year. The unfunded liability grew
by more than 14 percent to $20.5 trillion in Security because they think they will get
2012 dollars. That figure is more than Social nothing. They are wrong. The one thing that
Security has collected in all forms of rev- I can assure everyone is that they will get
enue from all Americans since its inception. something. It may make you wish for nothSecond, the demographics of Social Secu- ing — but all Americans will get something
rity also deteriorated. With the latest report, from a collapse of Social Security.
Fix Social Security Now is a non-partisan
the Trustees have projected that anyone who
is 46 or younger will retire after the Trust group of citizens seeking to promote a discusFund is gone. Anyone who is 63 can expect to sion about the state of Social Security. The
live long enough to lose benefits. Based on group does not support a specific plan, although
2010 data from the U.S. Census, that means it is against raising taxes and lowering benefits.
that only 22 percent of voting-aged Americans Visit www.fixssnow.org for more information.
Legislators must address the pension crisis
for the past four years; blame it on entitlements that government simply cannot sustain — it doesn’t matter where the blame is
placed; we, the sitting members, must fix
the problem. We must do it now, tired or not!
Charles Osgood, reporting on The
Osgood File June 20, noted that California must cut its public pensions by 10
percent to sustain itself. Illinois with its
$100 billion deficit, along with Rhode Island, must cut theirs a staggering 50 percent to keep from totally sinking.
Daily, I meet with concerned state employees and teachers telling me none of this can be
done while being fair to our employees — on
that we certainly agree. I’m told over and over
it would be unconstitutional. That comment is
usually followed with words to the effect, “We
put you in office, and we can take you out.”
Please understand that comment does nothing
to fix the problem, and it goes nowhere with me.
I’ll work as hard as I can while I’m in office to fix
the problem, being as fair as I possibly can. If
that gets me voted out, life will go on.
I will continue my efforts with the five leaders to bring us all to Springfield at no cost to the
taxpayer, sit us in that elaborate, beautiful
chamber with the comfy chairs, and nobody
leaves until the bear himself is exhausted.
I will be at the Warren Village Hall,
July 11 at 10 a.m. Please join me for coffee
and conversation. That same afternoon, I
will be at the Elizabeth Village Hall to
discuss your concerns.
As always, you can reach me, Sally or
Barb at (815) 232-0774 or e-mail us at
[email protected]. You can also visit my
website at www.jimsacia.com. It’s always a
pleasure to hear from you.
Jim Sacia (R) is the state representative
for the 89th District in Illinois.

Index Inside - The Rock River Times

Transcription

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