Index Inside - The Rock River Times

free
Oct. 30-Nov. 5, 2013
•
Volume 21, No. 2
free
T he Voi c e o f t h e C o m m u n i t y s inc e 1987
Locally owned and operated
128 N. Church St., Rockford, Illinois 61101
www.rockrivertimes.com
Inside
News – A4
City Council considers
demolition funding
Health & Fitness – A6
Nov. 2 fund-raiser benefits
local food pantry
Vibe – A7
The 1st Brigade Band performs at Veterans Memorial Hall last November.
Haunted happenings at
Tinker Swiss Cottage
Sports – B22
IceHogs off to hot start,
in first place after week 4
Index
Photo by Jon McGinty, graphic by Thom Kuss
Historic band concert to commemorate
Gettysburg Address Nov. 2
By Jon McGinty
Freelance Writer
The award-winning 1st Brigade Band of Watertown, Wis.,
will perform a special Veterans’
Day concert at Rockford’s Veterans Memorial Hall at 6 p.m.,
Saturday, Nov. 2.
Since 1964, these superb musicians have performed period
brass band music on antique
instruments, some of which survived from the Civil War.
The band consists of more than
80 volunteers, both men and
women, who portray civilians and
members of the original 1st Brigade Band from Brodhead, Wis.
More than a concert, however,
this historical program combines
outstanding music with narrative
accounts, anecdotes, tales and
legends of the Civil War.
Also in attendance will be
President and Mrs. Lincoln (a.k.a.
Max and Donna Daniels of Wheaton, Ill.). President Lincoln will
deliver his Gettysburg Address,
in commemoration of the 150th
anniversary of its original pre-
sentation in Pennsylvania Nov.
19, 1863.
Hosting the event will be members of Logan Camp No. 26, Sons
of Union Veterans of the Civil
War, and Mary Logan Auxiliary
No. 20. Tickets for the event are
available at Memorial Hall or at
the door. Prices are $10 for adults,
$5 for children 18 or younger.
For more information, see: www.1stbrigadeband.org or www.
logancamp26.com.. The event is
sponsored, in part, by a grant from
the Rockford Area Arts Council.
Section A:
Winnebago County News
News
 Commentary — A5-A6
 Health — A6
 Letters to the Editor — A5
 News — A1, A3-A4
 Obituary Notices — A3
 Outdoors — A6
 People in Our Times — A3
 Renewable Energy — A1, A3
Vibe Entertainment
 Crossword Puzzle — A11
 Horoscopes — A11
 Vibe Calendars — A8-A9
 Vibe News — A7, A9-A10
Vitality
Section B:
128 N. Church St.
Rockford, IL 61101
PRSRT STD
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 397
Rockford, IL
 Classifieds — B1-B3
 Fast Lane — B24
 Naturally Rockford — B23
 Public Notices — B4-B14
 Real Estate — B21
 Real Estate Notices — B15-B20
 Sports — B22-B24
Jury finds Winnebago County did not violate free-speech rights
By Brandon Reid
Senior Assistant Editor
Winnebago County, Winnebago
County Board Chairman Scott
Christiansen (R) and former
Winnebago County Board member
Pearl Hawks have been found
innocent in a federal First Amendment lawsuit brought by Rockford
resident Michael Castronovo. The
county and Christiansen were
tried separately during trial.
Castronovo — who represented
himself in the case from February
2011 until early in July — had
alleged multiple violations of his
free-speech rights at Winnebago
County Board meetings and at
Public Works committee meetings.
Specifically, Castronovo refer-
Environmental News
enced the December 2008 change
made to county ordinance 2-65,
where “zoning items, personnel
matters, or any pending or threatened litigation involving the County” became restricted topics for
citizens at county board meetings.
However, after a three-day trial, a seven-member jury found
no violations of First Amend-
ment rights by the county or
Christiansen. The decision was
handed down after nearly four
hours of deliberation Oct. 23.
Among those who testified
in the case were Christiansen,
Hawks, Castronovo, Rita Troeger, Paul Gorski, Frank Schier,
John Ekberg, Dave Tassoni and
Kyle Logan.
Renewable Energy
Study shows how factory Renewable Energy Expo
Nov. 8 at Klehm Arboretum
farms skirt liability
Staff Report
A study published in the
peer-reviewed journal Rural Sociology documents the pollution
and financial liability displaced
on rural communities by factory
farms through Limited Liability
Corporations (LLCs). The study
traces the rise of a business organizational strategy that Midwest
industrial livestock producers
use to sidestep regulatory mechanisms, pollution control and
civil liabilities.
“Where’s the Farmer? Limiting Risk and Liability in Midwest
Industrial Hog Production”
explores a growing trend in livestock production where business
management firms bring together hog farmers to form LLCs.
In this management system,
farmers from different states
pool their money together to form
massive, concentrated animal
feeding operations. The management system uses layers of LLCs
to protect these farmer/investors
from various risks associated
with industrial food production,
such as hog diseases, manure
pollution, variable markets and
civil liabilities.
The authors call these LLCs
“folding corporations,” because
they form and collapse to protect
investors’ assets around the
components of swine production.
The paper details how these creative LLC structures deflect the
farmers’ and the management
firm’s risks and liabilities onto
rural communities.
Because LLCs limit liability,
investors can preserve their profits and hide their names behind
corporate veils, even if a costly
environmental violation occurs.
This provides little incentive for
investors to change poor management practices. In addition,
because it is difficult to ascertain
the identities of LLC investors,
they can escape social pressure
from the communities in which
they operate.
The authors recommend
additional research about how
widespread these business organizational structures are in the
livestock industry on the nationContinued on page A3 
By Drs. Robert & Sonia Vogl
President and Vice President, Illinois
Renewable Energy Association
Winnebago County, the Illinois
Renewable Energy Association
(IREA), Freedom Field Renewable
Energy and Rock Valley College are co-hosting a regional
energy recognition event at
the Klehm Arboretum, 2715
South Main
Street Nov. 8,
from 10 a.m.
until 3 p.m.
The event is
designed to celebrate what has been done and
is being done with renewable
energy and energy efficiency in
the Rockford area. Things really
are happening right here!
We believe this event will
alert businesses, industry and
the public to the fact that the
Rockford region is a leader in
this field. It will also provide an
opportunity for those involved in
renewable energy to meet each
other and network.
Exhibits by manufacturers,
businesses and organizations will
be on display. Visitors will learn
about a variety of renewable energy options and how practices are
being applied in the real world. On
the first Saturday in October, people were given
the opportunity
to visit homes of
others who are
using and living
with renewable
energy in their
homes. This is
an extension of
that concept.
Sponsors are
demonstrating
their leadership through supporting the Renewable Energy Expo.
They will be recognized in the
program brochure and displays.
Large donors will be recognized
during the program and by a
banner at the event.
Three major speakers — Doug
Scott, Howard Learner and Bob
Vogl — will each present their perspectives on renewable energy in
our futures. Scott is the director of
Continued on page A3 
The Rock River Times has been leading area media in Renewable Energy and green news coverage since 2002.
a2
Oct. 30-Nov. 5, 2013 • The Rock River Times
T:10"
Put 50
and a Samsung
in your pocket.
$
T:12.5"
Get a $50 bonus on all
Samsung Smartphones
with a network that
works when and
where you need it.
uscellular.com
49.99
$
49.99
$99.99
$
FREE
FREE
$
49.99
After $50 Switcher Bonus that comes as a MasterCard® Debit Card. Applicable Data Plan, Device Protection+, new 2-year agmt. and $35 activation fee required.
Things we want you to know: Offer valid for limited time only. A new 2-yr. agmt. (subject to a pro-rated $150 early termination fee for feature phones, modems and hotspot devices and a $350 early termination fee for smartphones and tablets) required. Agmt. Terms apply as long as you are a cstmr. $35 device act.
fee and credit approval may apply. Regulatory Cost Recovery Fee applies (currently $1.57/line/month); this is not a tax or gvmt. required charge. Add. fees, taxes and terms apply and vary by svc. and eqmt. Offers valid at participating locations only. See store or uscellular.com for details. 4G LTE not available in all
areas. See uscellular.com/4G for complete coverage details. 4G LTE service provided through King Street Wireless, a partner of U.S. Cellular. LTE is a trademark of ETSI. $50 Switcher Bonus: Valid for new line activations with any Samsung Smartphone. To receive $50 bonus, customer must register for My Account, or
if already registered for My Account, log in to My Account within 14 days of activation. Bonus redeemable online at uscellular.com/Samsung50. Bonus is in the form of a U.S. Cellular MasterCard® Debit Card issued by MetaBank™ Member FDIC pursuant to license from MasterCard International Incorporated. This card
does not have cash access and can be used at any merchant location that accepts MasterCard Debit Cards within the U.S. only. Card valid through expiration date shown on front of card. Allow 10-12 weeks for processing. Device Protection+ enrollment is required and must remain on account for 60 days. The monthly
charge for Device Protection+ is $8.99 for Smartphones with applicable Data Plan. A deductible per approved claim applies. You may cancel Device Protection+ anytime after the 60 days. Federal Warranty Service Corporation is the Provider of the Device Protection+ ESC benefits, except in CA and OK. Account
must remain active and in good standing in order to receive bonus. Offer not valid on business accounts and not combinable with other offers. Offer only available at participating locations. Promotional phone subject to change. Application and data network usage charges may apply when accessing applications.
Kansas Customers: In areas in which U.S. Cellular receives support from the Federal Universal Service Fund, all reasonable requests for service must be met. Unresolved questions concerning services availability can be directed to the Kansas Corporation Commission Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at
1-800-662-0027. ©2013 U.S. Cellular
Version # 1
Bleed None
Trim 10" x 12.5"
Live 9.5" x 12"
Folded Size None
Finishing None
Colors Spec’d 4CP
Special Instr. None
Publications Williams
Document Name
USC1-13-05972_1384_N121_10x12.5_Promo3B_Samsung.indd
Linked Graphics
Art Director TBD
Mech Scale 100%
Print Scale 76.77%
Stock None
Copy Writer TBD
Proj Mgr kstone
Acct Svc jbranz
Prod Mgr afinnan
Art Buyer TBD
USC-13-SS-ATIV-Odyssey-left.psd
CMYK
USC-12-SS-GS3-Blue-left-Dandelion-4GSignal_R.psd
1013 ppi
USC-12-SS-Galaxy-Axiom-Silver-Vert-left_P-DM.psd
1242 ppi
USCC logo_4CNP_horizontal_2012.eps
USCC Hello Better_4CNP_2012.eps
4GLTE_4CNP_2012.eps
Samsung Galaxy Axiom logo.ai
GALAXY S III_Final artboards.ai
Last Modified
Colors In-Use
1224 ppi
CMYK
CMYK
Cyan
Magenta
Yellow
Black
USCC Hero Slate
newsprint
USCC Blue newsprint
USCC Red newsprint
Spacing Guides
User
9-11-2013 11:23 AM
Printer
ma-cmcgovern-mp
10I-Xerox550 Demo Printer
Mechd By: cmcgovern
Output Date
9-11-2013 11:23 AM
RTVd By: cmcgovern
CD/ACD
COPYWRITER
AD
ACCT SERVICE
PROD
COPY EDIT
Copy Edit TBD
Mac cmcgovern
BY SIGNING YOUR INITIALS ABOVE, YOU ARE STATING THAT YOU HAVE READ AND APPRO
VED THIS WORK.
9-11-2013 11:23 AM
1384
Job Description N121
CONTENT
Job # USC1-13-05972
People In Our Times/Obituary Notices/Renewable Energy/News
The Rock River Times • Oct. 30-Nov. 5, 2013
A3
Renewable Energy Study shows how
Expo Nov. 8 at ...
factory farms
Local martial arts instructor completes filming
Rockford native and martial arts instructor Michael Benjamin has just returned
from filming two videos for the internationally-renowned book and video publisher Paladin Press. His videos, Qinna with the Knife and Qinna Against the Knife, were filmed
the week of Oct. 20 at Paladin’s Boulder, Colo., studios. The videos feature instruction in
Chinese grappling applied with the tactical folding knife and Chinese grappling applied
unarmed against blade attacks. The videos are now in the editing and post-production
process. They are scheduled for release next fall, and will be available on the Paladin
Press website and through their catalog.
Paladin Press was started in the 1970s by Bob Brown (of Soldier of Fortune magazine)
and Peder Lund, a former Green Beret in the Vietnam War. The company specializes in
survival, military, police and martial arts titles.
Benjamin is a graduate of Rockford Guilford High School and Northern Illinois University. A 27-year practitioner of the martial arts, he is an expert in Quanfa and Qinna
Gongfu, Kempo Karate, and the Worden Defense System. He is the sole Illinois affiliate
for the Natural Spirit International Combative Arts Federation headed by Grandmaster
Kelly S. Worden, the official hand-to-hand combat instructor for the First Special Forces
Group of Ft. Lewis, Wash. Benjamin’s articles have appeared in Inside Kung-Fu, Black
Belt and Blade magazines. For information on his classes and seminars, call 815-2298607 or see his website at www.closequarterskempo.com.
Rockford Dance Company executive moves on
Cindy Jo Savitski-Lantz, Rockford Dance Company (RDC) executive director, has
announced her resignation from the company after accepting a position as managing
director with Chicago Dramatist.
Lantz served the RDC as executive director for 11 years. She started with the company as production manager in 1996, and in 2003, she was appointed to the position of
executive director. During her tenure as RDC’s executive director, she was responsible
for growing the organization, fund-raising, overseeing capital projects, Trading Spaces,
and establishing RDC as a leader in outreach programming.
“I find it bittersweet to be leaving during RDC’s 40th anniversary season,” Lantz
said. “I am looking forward to moving on for personal growth, and I am very excited to
be returning to my theater roots in Chicago.”
Matthew Keefe, RDC artistic director, added: “It has been an honor and privilege to
serve alongside Cindy at RDC. Her strong strategic skills have been instrumental in the
implementation of my vision over the past two years. RDC is on solid financial footing,
in large part due to Cindy’s efforts. I congratulate her on this exciting new chapter of
her career. She will be missed.”
Lantz will stay connected with RDC by continuing to serve on the Ruby Jubilee Committee that will honor RDC’s founders and supporters April 5 at Coronado Theatre.
The RDC Board of Directors has organized a search committee to recruit a new
executive director. Dance Company and school operations will continue as usual, with
Lantz supporting the search committee through the transition. The board’s plan is to
have a new director in place by mid-November.
Dorothy Warren, 100, Rockford, 10/24/13
Francisca Martinez, 79, Rockford, 10/24/13
Terri Johnson, 54, Machesney Park, 10/24/13
Michael Manson, 60, Rockford, 10/24/13
Nicolette Kiefer, 61, Rockford, 10/24/13
Dolores Werygo, 82, Rockford, 10/24/13
Jon Nelson, 65, Rockford, 10/24/13
Tammy Dufoe, 36, Rockford, 10/24/13
Arthur Miller, 82, Rockford, 10/25/13
Larry Spires, 75, Rockford, 10/25/13
Sherman Crenshaw, 79, Rockford, 10/25/13
Mahmad Vohra, 66, Rockford, 10/25/13
Melinda Otting, 57, Rockford, 10/25/13
Ernest Johnson, 84, Rockford, 10/25/13
Bernadine Slothower, 85, Rockford, 10/25/13
Lois Ullock, 84, Rockford, 10/25/13
Pauline Ward, 79, Rockford, 10/25/13
Beverly Long, 83, Rockford, 10/26/13
Elizabeth Vernetti, 93, Rockford, 10/26/13
George Hamilton, 75, Rockford, 10/26/13
Gerardo Espinoza, 58, Rockford, 10/26/13
Rob Martindale, 41, Rockford, 10/26/13
Edna Oldejans, 94, Rockford, 10/26/13
Sandra Gorman, 58, Rockford, 10/26/13
Doris Hagaman, 92, Rockford, 10/26/13
Ronald Daniel, 43, Rockford, 10/26/13
Signe Burch, 91, Rockford, 10/26/13
John Battram, 52, Rockford, 10/26/13
Janet Banker, 85, Roscoe, 10/26/13
Jessica Fuller, 37, Rockford, 10/27/13
Shan Chin Tsai, 76, Rockford, 10/27/13
Robert Facklam, 79, Rockford, 10/27/13
Melvin Homuth, 66, Machesney Park, 10/27/13
Jacolyn Brubaker, 76, Rockford, 10/27/13
Gordon St. John, 86, Machesney Park, 10/27/13
Ronald Malloy, 46, Rockford, 10/27/13
Aiden Ross, fetus, Rockford, 10/27/13
Louis Schiro, 88, Cherry Valley, 10/28/13
Joann Brophy, 85, Rockford, 10/28/13
Martha Lisk, 58, Rockford, 10/28/13
Grace Davison, 93, Rockford, 10/28/13
Dorothy Webster, 90, Rockford, 10/28/13
Marlene Davis, 56, Rockford, 10/28/13
Lucille Wessein, 75, Rockford, 10/28/13
Felix Mbinga, 30, Rockford, 10/28/13
Robert Johnson, 87, Rockford, 10/28/13
Jack Debaere, 79, Rockford, 10/28/13
Walter Fritz, 92, Rockford, 10/28/13
Eileen Olson, 96, Rockford, 10/28/13
Duane Claussen, 90, Rockford, 10/28/13
Eleanora Newell, 79, Rockford, 10/29/13
James Girard, 75, Rockford, 10/29/13
 Continued from page A1
the Illinois Commerce Commission, former
mayor of Rockford and former director of the
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
Keynote speaker Learner is the president
and executive director of the Environmental
Law and Policy Center. He served on boards
of the Environmental Law Institute and the
American Council of Renewable Energy and
was a trustee of the Illinois Clean Energy
Community Foundation. Vogl is a member
of the executive board of Freedom Field
and president of the IREA, which hosts
the annual Illinois Renewable Energy and
Sustainable Lifestyle Fair.
A brief ceremony will recognize more
than 30 individuals and organizations that
have demonstrated leadership by example
through their involvement in renewable energy activities. They were recommended by
others who know of them. A professionally
designed and printed, framed certificate
will be presented to each.
Many people and hours were involved in
planning and delivering the event. When
Bob and Sonia Vogl, who are members
of the executive board of Freedom Field,
suggested that FFRE and IREA host the
Winnebago County Renewable Energy
Expo, the idea was highly endorsed. Chet
Kolodziej, Sergio Zamora and Bob and Sonia
Vogl were the nucleus of the committee.
Winnebago County picked up the idea and
expanded on it; KMK Media Group provided
the publicity and programs.
Attendees, visitors and sponsors are
encouraged to register online at WinnebagoEnergyExpo.com. A box lunch will be
provided to those who pre-register. The
deadline for exhibitors and sponsors to be
in the program book was Oct. 25.
A personal note: We are particularly
pleased that this event is occurring after
years of our articles on energy efficiency
and renewable energy in The Rock River
Times, sponsoring workshops and hosting the annual Renewable Energy and
Sustainable Lifestyle Fair. Frank Schier,
editor and publisher of The Rock River
Times, deserves praise for his leadership,
support and encouragement of the overall effort.
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].
skirt liability
 Continued from page A1
al level, and urge for reform of state LLC
laws so factory farms are required to be
responsible for the pollution they create.
The study was authored by Loka Ashwood, sociology Ph.D. candidate at University of Wisconsin, Madison; Danielle
Diamond, attorney and research associate
at Northern Illinois University (NIU); and
Dr. Kendall Thu, department of anthropology chairman and professor at NIU. An
online version of the article is available
at the Wiley Online Library at http://
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/
ruso.12026/abstract.
© Copyright 2013
STAFF
EDITOR & PUBLISHER: Frank Schier | SENIOR ASSISTANT EDITOR: Brandon Reid | COPY EDITOR/VIBE
CALENDAR CONTACT: Susan Johnson | SENIOR GRAPHIC
DESIGNER/PRODUCTION MANAGER: Jeff Helberg | CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Thom Kuss | LEGALS/CLASSIFIEDS
MANAGER: Chris Luttig | CIRCULATION MANAGER/
ACCOUNTING: Crystal Larson | STAFF WRITER: Audrey
Carpenter | SPORTS COLUMNISTS: Doug Halberstadt,
Matt Nestor, Todd Reicher ADVERTISING SALES: Jody
Marshall, Audrey Carpenter, Donna George
ABOUT 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 2,300 commercial outlets. The weekly newspaper is distributed every
Wednesday. Printed on recycled paper using soy ink. Bulk
mail subscriptions are available for $27 for 26 weeks, or
$42 per year, prepaid.
CONTACT US
Mail: The Rock River Times, 128 N. Church St., Rockford, IL 61101 | Phone: 815-964-9767 | Fax: 815-9649825 | E-mail: [email protected] | Online:
www.rockrivertimes.com | Office Hours: 9 a.m.-5:30
p.m., Monday-Friday, CST
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.
The Rock River Times is a proud member/affiliate of
these fine organizations:
A4
News
Oct. 30-Nov. 5, 2013 • The Rock River Times
City Council mulls demolition funds, Morrissey appoints new alderman
By Jim Hagerty
Staff Writer
Rockford aldermen will have to wait
another week to hear a report on a $2
million block grant, as some leaders said
they needed more time to discuss the item
at the Monday, Oct. 28, meeting of the
Rockford City Council.
The discussion centered on the Community Development Block Grant, which
comprises $2 million in federal funding,
some of which is available for demolition
of city-owned distressed properties.
As it stands, around $200,000 are set to
be allocated for demolition. That, to some
council members, may not be enough.
Ald. Karen Elyea, D-11, along with Ward
5 Democratic Ald. Venita Hervey, said their
wards are littered with properties the city
needs to raze to make way for future development. According to the grant, the city
could approve up to $600,000. City staffers
said the decision to do so will come down
to dollars and cents.
“What we need to evaluate and fully educate our community on are the impacts of
the shift in dollars as it relates to the other
programs that are proposed,” Community
& Economic Development Department
Director Todd Cagnoni said.
Development officials are expected to
meet with aldermen in coming days for
more input. The matter could reach the
full council as early as next week. A full
report must be drafted by Nov. 13.
In other business, Mayor Larry Morrissey (I) announced the appointment
of Marcus Hill as alderman of the city’s
Sixth Ward. The chair was left vacant by
Vernon Hilton (D) last month when he
moved to Texas.
Hill, a Democrat, runs the Rockford
branch of the Safer Foundation, a Chicago-based nonprofit that helps those
with criminal records find jobs and
re-enter society.
Aldermen are expected to vote on Hill’s
appointment next week.
The Rockford City Council meets in open
session every Monday at 6 p.m. Meetings
are in Council Chambers on the second
floor of City Hall, downtown.
Cell tower cause of contention between Rockford property owners
By Audrey Carpenter
Staff Writer
Rockford resident Frank Kletecka first
noticed a problem with the cell phone
tower on his neighbor’s property when he
saw workers from the cell phone company
walking on his own property to access the
tower for maintenance purposes.
According to Kletecka, the workers did not
ask permission to enter his property to gain
access to the tower, constructed in 1999 before Kletecka became owner of the property.
Upon further investigation, Kletecka
discovered his neighbor on 22nd Street
had entered into a lease agreement with a
cellular company that allowed the company
to construct the tower and have continued
access to the tower, when needed.
“The problem is they have to go through
my property to get to the tower, and [my
neighbor] does not have the authority or
right to give [the cell phone company] access
to my property,” Kletecka said.
Kletecka filed a lawsuit against his neighbor and the cell phone company in January
2013. The suit is still pending. Kletecka’s
lawyer, J.F. Heckinger of Rockford, declined
to comment on the lawsuit.
The suit alleges Kletecka’s neighbor has
financially benefited from and continues to ben-
efit from the cell phone company being allowed
to lease space for the tower on his property, and
from giving the company access to the tower.
Kletecka believes it is wrong for his neighbor to financially gain from a cell phone
company essentially trespassing on his
property to service the cell tower.
Kletecka is seeking damages between
$15,000 and $50,000.
Neither attorneys for the cell phone
company nor the neighbor were available
for comment.
“Cell phone companies do this quite a
bit,” Kletecka alleged. “They improperly use
property or trespass on property that they
do not have the right to go on. I have spoken
with some cell tower experts who have said
this kind of thing happens all the time.”
Kletecka said he has not had cooperation
from the cell phone company in resolving
this issue.
“Their stance basically was they are a
very large corporation with deep pockets and
they are not really concerned about a small
property owner complaining about easement
rights,” Kletecka alleged. “They basically
operate like a government would in that
they’re basically taking people’s property by
eminent domain for their use, regardless of
whether it is right or not.”
March Against Corruption happening in downtown Rockford Nov. 2
Staff Report
Saturday, Nov. 2, the local Represent.
Us IL-16/17 District Committee will participate in March Against Corruption in
downtown Rockford.
March Against Corruption is an international campaign to raise awareness
about the corrupting influence of money
and special interests in governance and
public policy making; to provide a forum for
people to organize and speak out against
corruption; and to educate the public about
the consequences of corruption.
The Rockford march will start at 11
a.m. at the Rockford City Hall Building,
425 E. State St. Speakers will address the
problem of corruption on both a national
and a local level.
March Against Corruption and Represent.Us seek to expose the systemic
causes of corruption that affect legislators
of all political persuasions, so people of
all political persuasions are encouraged
to attend.
More details can be found at MarchAgainstCorruption.com. The local Facebook
event can be found at www.facebook.com/
events/561497057236335/.
H EATI N G & CO O LI N G
Wellness Massage
$75 Complete Furnance Check & Clean
815.394.1314
Wight’s
815.501.7005
Stress Reduction and Pain Relief
Licensed Massage Therapist
15 years experience
Commentary/Letters to the Editor
Head Start a red herring in
stimulus scandal
Keepin’ it Kleen
By Michael Kleen
Ever since
Rockford’s stimulus funds scandal
erupted over the
summer, media
coverage has focused on a peripheral issue: the fate
of Rockford’s Head
Start program.
This has effectively distracted the
public from the costly and embarrassing
mistakes made by senior Human Services
Department officials that led to the scandal.
Rather than focusing on the lack of oversight
and accountability, the public’s outrage has
been misdirected toward a phony issue involving Head Start. Here is how it happened.
In July of this year, the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General released the results of a partial
audit of federal stimulus funds given by the
State of Illinois to Rockford in 2009. The Inspector General found $205,296 was used for
“unallowable” reasons under the terms of the
Recovery Act award. A further $141,796 was
deemed “potentially unallowable.”
After conducting a review of the audit, the
City of Rockford released a memo outlining
its findings. City Administrator James (Jim)
Ryan recommended that Rockford “return”
$298,671.84, establish a Grant Program Compliance section within the Rockford Finance
Department, and restructure the Rockford
Human Services (HS) Department. The
$298,671.84 would come from “recaptured loan
funds” and Rockford’s Redevelopment Fund.
In his memo, Jim Ryan repeatedly stated
that senior Rockford Human Services staff
were aware of the federal guidelines for the
stimulus funds and failed to follow them.
“The requirements were made clear from the
beginning,” he wrote on page 14, “and the City
organization and Rockford Human Services
Department fell short of administering the
grant in accordance with federal regulations.”
Despite costing the city and taxpayers
nearly $300,000, in addition to significant
embarrassment, to my knowledge not a
single person has been held accountable for
these mistakes. Instead, Jim Ryan recommended giving HS Department Executive
Director George Davis a new job title and
new responsibilities, while folding the HS
Department into the Community & Economic
Development Department.
The city’s Head Start program, which is
managed by the Human Services Department,
would be transferred to another agency, possibly a nonprofit organization or Rockford Public
School District 205. It was the Head Start
recommendation that has dominated news
coverage of the stimulus funds scandal. In its
Sept. 5 article about the stimulus memo, the
Rockford Register Star devoted several paragraphs to the fate of Head Start. It mentioned
nothing about who might be responsible for
the mistakes that led to the scandal.
Friday, Sept. 19, the Register Star published
an opinion column by the Rev. Dr. Kenneth
Board incorrectly stating that the federal
stimulus funds had been earmarked for Head
Start. Pastor Board accused city officials of
diverting federal funds away from needy
children. A retraction was printed the next
day. Pastor Board explained, “The mayor has
caused confusion by correlating repayment of
the $300,000 with changes he wants to make
to the Human Services Department and Head
Start.” He wondered why Head Start was
being targeted to fix a problem it didn’t create.
At the City Council meeting Monday, Sept.
23, the public gallery was filled with Head
Start staff and clients who were there to express support for the program. No less than
three spoke during public participation time.
All seemed to believe the city was getting
ready to eliminate Head Start. Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey (I), who usually defends
himself or the city when misunderstandings
of this magnitude occur, was strangely silent
on the matter. He calmly sat back while person after person spoke passionately against
the nonexistent cuts to Head Start. Ald. Ann
Continued on page A6 
a5
The Rock River Times • Oct. 30-Nov. 5, 2013



Time for pension reform was long ago
Taxpayers should be watching with
great interest the ongoing work of the
special committee of the Illinois General
Assembly wrestling with the tough, but
essential, issue of pension reform. While
we are encouraged by early reports of
the committee’s work, it does not dent
the frustration of millions of Illinoisans
who believe the time for reform was long,
long ago.
However, taxpayers should also be well
aware that a large number of Illinois legislators have already stood up for them
by supporting strong pension reform legislation. They have taken the tough vote
to restore economic sanity to the state’s
finances by voting for meaningful bills. Unfortunately, too many of their colleagues, to
date, have taken the easy way out, and we
are still awaiting passage of a reform bill.
Sen. Dave Syverson, Rep. Tom Demmer,
Rep. Charles Jefferson, and Rep. Joe
Sosnowski all deserve immense credit for
voting for real pension reform. They have
voted for billions of dollars of savings for
current taxpayers and future generations.
Illinois simply cannot return to fiscal stability without stabilizing the worst-funded
pension system in the nation. These legislators recognize this reality and acted
responsibly on behalf of their constituents.
As our unemployment rate continues as
the second highest in the nation, taxpayers are right to question our legislature’s
ability to address the critical issues facing
our state. But remember, many individual
legislators such as Sen. Dave Syverson,
Rep. Tom Demmer, Rep. Charles Jefferson,
and Rep. Joe Sosnowski have already stood
Q
uestion of
the Week
up. They simply need more help.
Todd Maisch
Executive Vice President, Illinois
Chamber of Commerce
Springfield, Ill.



Benefits of the sun
The sun is not your enemy! The chemicals that make up the sun are (in part) hydrogen, carbon and oxygen. The chemicals
that make up humans are also hydrogen,
carbon and oxygen.The planet could not
survive without the sun.
There are many benefits to getting a few
(15-20) minutes of sunshine every day. It is
a natural antibiotic — able to kill viruses
and bacteria, it can also lower blood pressure, increase good cholesterol, decrease
the bad, and it can even reduce stress and
strengthen the immune system. Sunscreen
blocks all the benefits, including vitamin D.
The pharmaceutical industry has indoctrinated us with the dangers of sunshine
— obviously there’s a lot of profit in this?
When was the last time you heard about
the benefits of sunshine?
A few years ago, seeing my grandkids
being slathered with sunscreen, I worried
about the strange chemicals listed on the
label. We all know that skin patches (nicotine, hormones, etc.) are all rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream. I phoned the
FDA to see if these weird chemicals were
safe to use. The official in Washington said
that since sunscreen is neither a food nor
a drug, the FDA does not test it for safety
at all. They simply leave that research up
to the manufacturer. Ha — where have we
heard that before?
Alice Kaczmarek
Rockford
Vote at
www.rockrivertimes.com
Have you ever experienced what you believed was
paranormal activity? (Yes or No)
from Oct. 23-29, 2013:
Is the City of Rockford doing enough to spur
downtown development?
No 41 (87%) – Yes 6 (13%)
a6
Oct. 30-Nov. 5, 2013 • The Rock River Times
Nov. 2 fund-raiser for Helping Hands Pantry
By Gloria Gregory
Community Outreach Facilitator, Helping
Hands Pantry
Established in 2003, the Helping Hands
Pantry is a “client choice” food pantry currently
serving the Loves Park and Machesney Park
areas. With no paid staff, we are run completely
by volunteers who serve in several capacities
from shelf stockers to director of operations.
That means nearly 100 percent of every dollar
donated or generated from fund-raising events
goes directly to obtain food to feed people in our
community. Our partnership with Northern
Illinois Food Bank means that our pantry — a
recognized nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization —
has access to quality food for minimal costs. We
are currently serving approximately 400 families
per month from Loves Park, Machesney Park,
Rockton and Roscoe.
Our Fourth Annual Pasta Ball, to be held
Saturday, Nov. 2, at the Forest Hills Lodge, is
our main fund-raiser for the year. We are very
excited to have the Improv Olympics (IO) providing entertainment for this year’s event. IO has
many famous alumni (Mike Myers,Amy Poehler
and Vince Vaughn, to name a few), and they will
be sure to provide a unique, fun experience for
our guests. We will also have a silent auction.
Some items that will be featured this year are a
Chicago trip to Phantom of the Opera provided
by Canterbury Tours, an IceHogs package that
includes four tickets, two tickets to the St. Louis
Cardinals for the 2014 season, six passes to the
Brookfield Zoo, and much, much more! Music will
be provided by DJ Ron Reiner. Food provided by
Nunzio’s Restaurant. Javamania coffee bar will
be serving up fresh coffee drinks. There will also
be a 50/50 raffle and door prizes. Our Diamond
sponsor for this year’s Pasta Ball is North American Clutch and Driveline. Additional sponsors
are Field Fasteners, Noah’s Ark Waterproofing,
OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, Gleason
Cutting Tools and Fleet Lift Truck Service.
Cost for the event is $35 per person, but there
are several options available at a sponsorship
level. The doors open at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6:30
p.m. For further information or to order tickets,
contact Ashley at (815) 980-0208 or e-mail at
[email protected]. Come join us to
support a great cause!
 Continued from page A5
Thompson-Kelly, D-7, had to explain
that no one had suggested Head Start
be cut or eliminated, just transferred to
another agency.
Oct. 18, as though the subject hadn’t
been discussed enough, the Register Star
devoted an entire article to Head Start and
the proposed changes. It was only because
I submitted a guest column to the Register
Star that any discussion of who might be
responsible for the misspent stimulus funds
appeared in Rockford’s daily newspaper.
There are only two possible explanations
for this: 1) It was the result of bad reporting
and a series of misunderstandings. 2) It was
a purposeful attempt to drum up a phony
scandal and distract from a very serious
ethical issue. Both scenarios have the
same outcome: misdirection. By focusing
on Head Start, the public’s attention was
drawn away from the most important and
damaging elements of the stimulus scandal.
The Head Start issue always has been, and
always will be, a red herring.
Michael Kleen is a local author, historian
and owner of Black Oak Media. He holds
a master’s degree in history and a master’s
degree in education. He was the Republican
candidate for Rockford mayor in the 2013
election. Read his previous columns online
at makleen.com.
Head Start a red herring ...
Health & Fitness/Outdoor Living/Commentary
Durand’s ‘Hoo’ Haven wildlife rehab
center hosts open house Nov. 3
Staff Report
DURAND, Ill. — Sunday, Nov. 3, volunteers at “Hoo” Haven Wildlife Rehabilitation & Education Center, 10823 Cleveland
Road, Durand, Ill., will offer tours and
share the wonderful educational opportunities that are available through the facility.
See the Raptor Ambassador Program
and meet the newest educational birds —
“Marshmellow,” the pelican, and “Echo”
and “Casper,” the endangered barn owls.
The public is invited from 1 to 4 p.m. to
learn about Hoo Haven, wildlife, local conservation efforts and to show their support
for this much-needed community service.
Birds and animals that are in the rehabilitation program will be seen during tours,
including several recovering American
bald eagles.
Visitors will also see some of the rescue
equipment, including a hovercraft, and
visit the new Aquatic Animal Recovery Cen-
ter. All ages are welcome. A variety of food
and items will be available for purchase
with 100 percent of funds going directly
to the care and feeding of all the wildlife.
“Hoo” Haven Wildlife Rehabilitation &
Education Center is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit
organization dedicated to the rehabilitation
and release of North American wildlife. Hoo
Haven provides wildlife trauma/intensive
care and an orphan nursery that treats 400
to 800 animals each year, with most being released back into the wild as healthy animals.
Hoo Haven serves as the U.S. Fish &
Wildlife Service “Regional Eagle Recovery
Center” for northern Illinois, southern
Wisconsin and eastern Iowa. The facility’s
educational team provides approximately
150 Raptor Ambassador Programs annually
to schools, scouts, and other groups interested in wildlife and conservation efforts.
Please visit online at www.hoohaven.org
for more information.
Batty about bats? Free program about
bats offered Nov. 17
Staff Report
OREGON, Ill. — If Halloween re-kindled your curiosity about bats, you can
learn more at an interesting, educational
program offered free by the Prairie Preservation Society of Ogle County (PPSOC).
Students will especially enjoy meeting
speakers and one of their bats.
PPSOC will host “Incredible Bats” with
Sharon and Dan Peterson at the the Kickapoo Nature Center, 1919 N. Limekiln Road,
Oregon, Ill., at 2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 17.
Certified bat experts Sharon and Dan
Peterson will give a multi-media presentation to help people understand and
appreciate bats and how beneficial they
are. They will focus on bats that are native
to our region and answer questions from
the audience. A live fruit bat will conclude
the program. All of their bats were born
in captivity and have not been exposed
to rabies.
Sharon is a librarian and elementary
school teacher and was trained by Bat
Conservation International. Dan is a bat
naturalist. They are fully insured.
The
Insurance
Lady
Sue Gabel CSA
Always there for you even
after the ink has dried.
Call The Insurance Lady
for all your health
care needs.
3600 East State Street . Suite 218
Rockford, IL 61107
815-397-7030 . 815-978-8148 cell
[email protected]
Call for your free consultation
They will
share experiences to inform the audience about
these feared
and misunderstood
creatures.
On a personal note,
two PPSOC
board members have a
colony of more Photo courtesy of Incrediblebats.com
than 200 bats A bat nibbles on some fruit.
in their barn.
They find it fascinating to watch them
nearly explode out of a small window each
night during the warm season.
The program is free and open to the
public. Children are welcome in the company of an adult. Light refreshments will
be served after the presentation.
E-mail [email protected] or call
(815) 973-4926 for more details.
Outdoor Living/Health & Fitness
Vibe
The Rock River Times • Oct. 30-Nov. 5, 2013
9
a7
entertainment
Page A7 — Oct. 30-Nov. 5, 2013
Community News
Ghosts of the past haunt
Tinker Swiss Cottage
By Michael Kleen
original. It is truly a window into the past.
Disembodied footsteps, a rocking chair
Over the years, many visitors have wonthat moves on its own, and phantom figures dered whether the museum is haunted. While
would be enough to spook anyone. For Steve no one can say for certain, dozens of people
Litteral, executive director of Tinker Swiss have had strange encounters while touring
Cottage Museum & Gardens, however, it’s the mansion grounds. Kathi Kresol, purveyor
just another day on the job.
of Haunted Rockford Tours,
At 411 Kent St. in Rockford,
was surprised when an exTinker Swiss Cottage is rich
tra guest appeared during a
in local history and home to
stop at the cottage in 2007.
a few hair-raising remind“One lady approached
ers of the past.
me as we were loading the
The museum sits on a bluff
bus at the end of the visit,”
overlooking Kent Creek,
Kathi recalled. “She looked
where Germanicus Kent
at me and said that it was
and Thatcher Blake built a
really neat that I had a lady
sawmill and grinding mill in
dressed in a long, white
Photo by Michael Kleen
1834. This settlement steadidress with dark hair put in
ly grew until it developed into Patrons tour the library at Tinker
a bun sitting on the bench
the bustling city of Rockford, Swiss Cottage Museum.
right before the suspension
which was incorporated in
bridge. I was a little con1852. Kent’s original retention ponds, which fused, and explained to her that I had no one
he used for his grinding mill, are still on the along that was in a white dress. It was the
museum grounds.
first time I saw the color drain from someone’s
Tinker Cottage’s ornate gables cast a shad- face! She got very pale and started to shake
ow on a far older remnant of the area’s past: a as the realization sank in. I truly believe that
Pre-Columbian burial mound, which is located she saw the ghost of Jessie Tinker and didn’t
a few yards from the mansion. It has been even realize it until I told her!”
archaeologically dated to 1000-1300 AD, and
In October 2012, Tinker Swiss Cottage
contains the remains of an unknown number was featured on Syfy’s Ghost Hunters. The
of Amerindians from the Oneota culture.
Atlantic Paranormal Society documented
The mansion itself was built in 1865 by every inch of the museum while filming the
Robert H. Tinker, husband of Mary Dorr episode. At one point in the evening, a rocking
Manny Tinker. Mary was the widow of chair began to move on its own. According to
John H. Manny, owner of the Manny Reaper Litteral, the rocking chair has done that sevWorks. Robert and Mary met in 1856 and eral times during the course of regular tours.
married in 1870. Robert Tinker designed his
Another group of paranormal investihome to resemble the Swiss cottages he had gators captured an audio recording of a
seen during his European travels.
woman’s voice saying, “I don’t like trains
Robert Tinker was mayor of Rockford … I don’t like trains … trains bring death”
from 1875 to 1876, and a founding member in the library as a train passed by outside.
of the Rockford Park District. After his first
Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum hosts
wife died in 1901, he married her niece, haunted tours on Friday nights from 7 to 10
Jessie Dorr Hurd. Robert died in 1924. In p.m., in addition to its regular daily tours. It
1942, Jessie Dorr Hurd Tinker left Tinker is a wonderful way to experience a different
Swiss Cottage and all of her belongings to side of this historic landmark. Whether you
the Rockford Park District. Because of this, encounter the unseen, you will always learn
99 percent of the items in the museum are something interesting about Rockford’s past.
Music News
Piper Road Spring Band celebrates
40 years Nov. 1 at Mendelssohn
Staff Report
Longtime Charlotte’s Web favorite Piper
Road Spring Band will perform a 40th
anniversary and CD release party concert
in the banquet room at Mendelssohn Hall,
406 N. Main St., Friday, Nov. 1. Doors,
dinner and cash bar open at 7 p.m., with
concert at 7:30 p.m.
The first Friday in November brings the
highly anticipated CD release and anniversary celebration of favorite bluegrass jam
band Piper Road Spring Band.
The friendship between Charlotte’s
Web and Piper Road runs deep, 40 years
deep. Piper Road has been performing at
the Web for all four of the decades they’re
commemorating. They closed out the Web’s
35th Anniversary Celebration in 2007,
and opened festivities for the 40th in 2012.
Throughout the first couple decades, a Piper
Road Spring Band show at the Web meant an
entire weekend of laughter and music with
the inevitable Charlotte’s Web versus Piper
Road softball tournament topping it off.
When the Web heard Piper Road was celebrating its 40th anniversary of making music
together, the Web jumped at the chance to
help them celebrate properly: with a concert
party event! Add food — amazing Rockford
favorite Altamore’s Ristorante; add drink —
uber great Kryptonite Bar; add music — the
bluegrassiest jam band ever, Piper Road
Spring Band; add people — the best darned
folks around are PRSB fans; and this is the
recipe for a fantastic celebration! Kate’s Pie
Shop & Record Store will also be open late to
celebrate Piper Road’s CD release.
The buffet-style dinner will include a
Rockford original: ciambella, a unique
Altamore’s specialty described as a giant
donut-shaped bread stuffed with sausage
and cheese and other good stuff, then cut
into wedges; chicken/pesto pizza; farafelle
(bowtie pasta) with Altamore’s famous vodka
sauce; and a green salad.
Tickets to the concert and dinner are $20
in advance. Tickets at the door are $10 for
the concert plus $15 for the food. Advanced
tickets are available at the Mendelssohn
Performing Arts Center Box Office, 406 N.
Main (Park Avenue entrance); (815) 9649713; or online at www.mendelssohnpac.org.
Fri., November 1 · 3am-8pm
Sat., November 2 · 9am-4pm
Regional Design Center
315 N Main Street
The second annual Downtown Artisan
Market is the perfect opportunity to
shop for holiday gifts! Shop downtown
— choose from a wide array of
handmade goods and support our
local independent arts professionals!
A production of the Rockford Art Guild
Sponsored by Regional Design Center
and The Element Rockford
For more information:
[email protected] · 815.986.6532
a8
Vibe Calendars
Oct. 30-Nov. 5, 2013 • The Rock River Times
Music
Wednesday, Oct. 30
Jazz & Blues Jam Session with Tony Vecchio & the
Pig Minds All-Stars – Pig Minds Brewing Co.,
4080 Steele Drive, Machesney Park. 7-10 p.m.
NIU Jazz Combo Fest – The House Café, 263 E.
Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb. 6 p.m. Info: 815-787-9547.
Open Mic – Mandalay Lounge, 200 N. Church St.
Starts at 5 p.m.
Karaoke – Mary’s Place, 602 N. Madison St. 9:30
p.m. Free. Info: 815-962-7944.
Shades of Blue – Nikki’s Cafe, 431 E. Grand Ave.,
Beloit, Wis.
Harlan Jefferson – Whiffletree Bar & Grill, 11347
Main St., Roscoe. 7 p.m. Info: 815-623-8213.
Thursday, Oct. 31
Roxtar w/guests TBA – The Back Bar,1901 Beloit
Ave. (Hwy. G), Janesville, Wis. Open at 7 p.m.
bands play 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Info: 608-741-0001.
Country Western Jam feat. Steve Ciko – Keen Age
Center, 2141 Henry Luckow Lane, Belvidere.
Every Thursday, 1-3 p.m. Info: 815-516-0646.
Open Mic – Katie’s Cup, 502 Seventh St. Info:
815-986-0628.
Halloween Karaoke Party w/DJ Mason – Kryptonite
Bar, 308 W. State St. 9 p.m.-close.
Open Mic – Mandalay Lounge, 200 N. Church
St. 5 p.m.
Open Stage – Mary’s Place, 602 N. Madison St.
9:30 p.m. Free. Every Thurs. Info: 815-962-7944.
The Agenda – Otto’s Niteclub & Underground, 118 E.
Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb. 6 p.m. Info: 815-758-2715.
Open Mic – Cronie’s Grill, 9032 N. Second St.,
Machesney Park. Every Thursday.
Friday, Nov. 1
Yamato, The Drummers of Japan – Coronado
Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St. 7:30
p.m. $45, $55. Info: 815-968-5222.
Piper Road 40th Anniversary Celebration & CD
Release Party – Mendelssohn Hall Banquet
Room, 406 N. Main St. 7:30 p.m. Admission:
$10 for all ages. Info: 815-964-9713.
Vintage Vinyl – Big Al’s Bar, 610 N. Bell School
Road. 9 p.m. Info: 815-398-6411.
Na Palm – The District, 205 W. State St. 10 p.m.
Info: 815-977-4524.
Harlan Jefferson – Hope and Anchor, 5040 N.
Second St., Loves Park. Info: 815-633-2552.
Open Mic – Mandalay Lounge, 200 N. Church St.
10 p.m.-1 a.m.
My God the Heat – Mary’s Place, 602 N. Madison
St. 9:30 p.m. Info: 815-962-7944.
Stellar Road feat. The Aaron Williams Band/Britt
Dignan Band – Otto’s Niteclub & Underground,
118 E. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb. 9 p.m. $7.
Kevin Burns’ Good Vibrations – Poison Ivy Pub,
5765 Elevator Road, Roscoe. 6 p.m.
Tony Vecchio & David Painter (Jazz) – Sam’s Ristorante, 1031 Harlem Road, Machesney Park.
6-9 p.m. First Friday event. Info: 815-633-2686.
Southern Charm – Shooter’s Bar & Grill East, 7171
CherryVale N. Blvd., Cherry Valley. 9 p.m.
Four Wheel Drive – Splitters Bar & Grill, 5318 N.
Second St., Loves Park. Info: 815-877-6051.
Open Mic – Take 20, 438 Bypass U.S. 20, Cherry
Valley, Ill. 7 p.m. Info: 815-332-9920.
Saturday, Nov. 2
Young Musicians Series Recital “Fall Masquerade,”
Starr Center, Mendelssohn PAC, 415 N. Church
St. 1:30 p.m. $15 adults, $10 students. Info:
815-964-9713.
1st Brigade Band Concert & Gettysburg Address
– Veterans Memorial Hall, 211 N. Main St. 6
p.m. Historical program combines outstanding
music with narrative accounts, anecdotes, tales
and legends of the Civil War. $10 adults, $5
children under 18.
Sons of the Pioneers – Monroe High School Performing Arts Center, 1600 26th St., Monroe, Wis.
7:30 p.m. Tickets: $35, $25, $20, $15, and $10
for students 18 years old and younger. Available
at box office, 1315 11th St. or call Monroe Arts
Center at 608-325-5700 or 888-596-1249.
Left of Reason, Three Left – The Back Bar,1901
Beloit Ave. (Hwy. G), Janesville, Wis. Open at 7
p.m., bands play 9 p.m.-2 a.m. $8.
Smokin’ Opies – Big Al’s Bar, 610 N. Bell School
Road. 9 p.m. Info: 815-398-6411.
The Personnel – The District, 205 W. State St. 10
p.m. Info: 815-977-4524.
Clutch Cargo – Franchesco’s, 7128 Spring Creek
Road. 9 p.m. Info: 815-229-0800.
Paper Airplane – Hailey’s Winery, 114 S. Franklin
St., Byron. 9 p.m. Info: 815-234-2220.
Mutts – Kryptonite, 308 W. State St. 9 p.m. $5.
Open Mic– Mandalay Lounge, 200 N . Church St.
9 p.m. Free.
Hilly Jones – Mary’s Place, 602 N. Madison St. 9:30
p.m. Free. Info: 815-962-7944.
The Sensations feat. Holland Zander – Neighbors
Bar & Grill, 7745 Forest Hills Road, Loves Park.
9 p.m. Call for cover. Info: 815-633-6486.
The Fatty Acids feat. Isle of Vinyl/Dana Destefano &
The Dollparts – Otto’s Niteclub & Underground,
118 E. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb. 8 p.m. $6.
Pablo & the Rhythmix – Shooter’s Bar & Grill, 4007
E. State St. Info: 815-399-0683.
Pentatonics – Shooter’s Bar & Grill East, 7171
CherryVale Blvd., Cherry Valley. 9 p.m.
Sweet Lucy – Splitter’s Bar & Grill, 5318 N. Second
St., Loves Park. 9 p.m. Info: 815-877-6051.
Looking for Treble – Town Hall Lounge, 5624 N. Second St., Loves Park. 9 p.m. Info: 815-636-9996.
Sunday, Nov. 3
47th Annual Swissfest – Turner Hall of Monroe,
Grand Hall, 1217 17th Ave., Monroe, Wis. 2
p.m. Swiss folklore music by Monroe Swiss
Singers, others. $10 at the door, $8 in advance.
The Howlin’ Brothers – Severson Dells Nature
Center, 8786 Montague Road. Doors open at
3 p.m., show at 4 p.m. $15 advance, $20 at the
door. Info: 815-335-2915.
Sunday Blues Jam w/Barstool Bob, Ron Holm,
Jeff Werckle – Kryptonite Bar, 308 W. State
St. Info: 815-965-0931.
Monday, Nov. 4
Open Mic – Mandalay Lounge, 200 N. Church St.
Starts at 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 5
Engelbert Humperdinck – Coronado Performing
Arts Center, 314 N. Main St. 7 p.m. Tickets:
Order at Coronado Box Office, BMO Harris Bank
Center, or call 815-968-5222.
Karaoke & Vince Chiarelli Combo, Whalebone, King
of the Demons – Kryptonite Bar, 308 W. State
St. 10 p.m. Info: 815-965-0931.
Open Stage – Mary’s Place, 602 N. Madison St.
9:30 p.m. Free. Info: 815-962-7944.
Rock ’n’ Roll – Mandalay Lounge, 200 N. Church
St. Starts at 5 p.m.
Open Mic – Stumpy’s, 5801 Columbia Pkwy.,
Rockford. 8-10 p.m. Free. Info: 815-316-1225.
Karaoke w/Bob – Whiskey’s Roadhouse, 3207
N. Main St. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Info: 815-877-8007.
Arts & Theater
Wednesday, Oct. 30
Film: “The Institute” – Bushel & Peck’s, 328 State St.,
Beloit Wis. 6 p.m. Documentary that examines
a San Francisco-based Alternate Reality Game.
Friday, Nov. 1
Ornament Painting – 317 Studio & Gallery, 317
Market St. 4-9 p.m. Dedicate an ornament to
Tom Littrell and hang it on his tree to wish him
a full recovery. Free.
First Friday Arts Activities – Messy Palette Art
Studio, 2127 Broadway. 5-9 p.m. $5 donation.
Dia De Los Muertos IV (Day of the Dead) – FotoEnvy,
317 W. Jefferson St. 6-11 p.m. More than 30
artists participating in this exhibit based on a
Mexican holiday honoring ancestors and family
members who have died. Free.
Radium Girls – Rockford Christian High School, 1401
N. Bell School Road. Enjoy light entertainment
and an Italian dinner from 6-7 p.m. show begins
at 7p.m. Tickets: $15 adults, $12 children and
students. Reserve at https://ticketriver.com/
event/8527-radium-girls–dinner-theatre.
The Diary of Anne Frank – Jefferson High School,
4145 Samuelson Road. 7 p.m. Tickets, $5 at the
door. Info: [email protected].
An Evening of Mime – NIU Community School of the
Arts, Music Building, Recital Hall, DeKalb. 6 p.m.
Collection of stories performed by mime artists Eliot
Monaco and Amanda Brown. Info: 815-753-1450.
Almost, Maine – Harlem High School, 1 Huskie
Circle, Machesney Park. 7 p.m. Cost: $7 adults,
$3 students and senior citizens. Tickets available
at the school office and at box office the day of
performances starting at 6 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 2
Ingrid Dohm Watercolor Painting Workshop
– 6532 Spring Brook Road. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Limited to six participants. Fee: $165. Info:
815-519-6492 or 815-282-3184.
Exhibition Children’s Class: All That Jazz – Rockford
Art Museum, 711 N. Main St. 2-3:30 p.m. Ages
6 and up. Cost: $8 per class or $25 for all four,
all supplies included, registration required. Info/
Register: 815-972-2874.
Radium Girls – Rockford Christian High School,
1401 N. Bell School Road. 7 p.m. Tickets: $15
adults, $12 children and students. For Saturday’s
non-dinner theater event, reserve at https://
ticketriver.com/event/8527-radium-girls–
saturday-night.
The Diary of Anne Frank – Jefferson High School,
4145 Samuelson Road. 7 p.m. Tickets, $5 at the
door. Info: [email protected].
Almost, Maine – Harlem High School, 1 Huskie
Circle, Machesney Park. 7 p.m. Cost: $7 adults,
$3 students and senior citziens. Tickets available
at the school office and at box office the day of
performances starting at 6 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 3
Ingrid Dohm Watercolor Painting Workshop
– 6532 Spring Brook Road. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Limited to six participants. Fee: $165. Info:
815-519-6492 or 815-282-3184.
The Diary of Anne Frank – Jefferson High School,
4145 Samuelson Road. 2 p.m. Tickets, $5 at the
door. Info: [email protected].
Monday, Nov. 4
Rockford Area Arts Council 2014 Community Arts
Access Grants and Grantseekers Workshop –
Arts Council office, 713 E. State St. , Shumway
Market Building. 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Community
Wednesday, Oct. 30
Boy Scout Troop 123 Pumpkin Sale – Spring Creek
United Church of Christ, 4500 Spring Creek
Road at Alpine. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. till Halloween.
Babes and Books – Rockford Public Library, Main
Library, Little Theatre, 215 N. Wyman St.
11:15 a.m.-noon.
RAVE Board meeting – BMO Harris Bank Center,
300 Elm St. 11:30 a.m.
Teen’Scape at Rockton Centre Branch – Rockton
Centre Branch Library, Program Room, 3112 N.
Rockton Ave. 4-6 p.m. Ages 13-19. Play games
on Wii or Playstation, surf the Internet, play
board games, make crafts. Info: 815-965-7606.
Tutoring Fair – Ellis Elementary School, 222 S.
Central Ave. 4:30-7:30 p.m. Families will receive
information about Supplemental Educational
Services and a vendor fair. Eligible families only.
Students must be enrolled in a Title I school within
RPS, and also qualify for the free or reduced lunch
program. Info: [email protected].
Auburn Halloween Carnival – Auburn High School,
5110 Auburn St. 5-7 p.m. Elementary school-age
students. Parents must accompany children;
children must wear costumes. Carnival-style
games, scary stories, temporary tattoos. Free.
YA Movie Night – Sullivan Center, Small Multi-Purpose Room, 118 N. Main St. 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Ages 13-19. Info: 815-965-7606.
East Halloween Bash – East High School, 2929
Charles St. 6 p.m. trick-or-treating, 6:30 p.m.
concert. Spooky stories, arts and crafts. Classical
music and songs. Everyone is encouraged to
wear non-scary, school-appropriate costumes.
Ald. Joseph Chiarelli 14th Ward meeting – Alpine
Lutheran Church, 5001 Forest View Ave. 6-7
p.m. Info; 815-721-2014.
Information on “Diabetes & Foot Care” – SwedishAmerican Medical Center/Belvidere, 1625 S..
State St., Belvidere. 6 p.m. in outpatient clinic
area. Presented by Dr. Michael Corcoran, DPM.
Info: 815-601-5268.
Worship Wednesday Gathering – Third Presbyterian Church, 1221 Custer Ave. 6:30 p.m. Informal
midweek gathering of praise, inspiration and
prayer featuring short videos that touch on current issues. Oct. 30: “Rich” by Rob Bell; learning
to appreciate how much we have.
Sunset Storytime – Rockford Public Library, East
Branch, Children’s Area, 6685 E. State St.
6:30-7:15 p.m. All ages. Info: 815-965-7606.
Local History & Writers Series: Following Footsteps
in Freeport – Freeport Public Library, 100 E.
Douglas St. 7 p.m. Personal memoir of Highland
Community College’s Dr. Thompson Brandt.
Lecture: “Healing the Heart of Democracy” – Monroe Arts Center, Concert Hall, 1315 11th St.,
Monroe, Wis. 7 p.m. Free. Info: 608-325-5700.
Spirited Ghost Tour – Coronado Performing Arts
Center, 314 N. Main St. 7-9 p.m. Price: $10 per
person. Info: 815-847-6317.
Thursday, Oct. 31
Blood Drive – Backyard Grill & Bar, 6473 N. Second
St., Loves Park. 5:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
Public Skating – Carlson Arctic Ice Arena & Sapora
Playworld, 4150 N. Perryville Road. Tues., Thurs.
& Fridays during school year, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Half-Price Admission at Playworld – Sapora Playworld, Carlson Ice Arena, 4150 N. Perryville
Road, Loves Park. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
WSBA Halloween Party – Northwest Community
Center, 1325 N. Johnston Ave. 4-6 p.m. West Side
Business Association partners with Northwest
Community Center for an afternoon of candy, coupons, logo bags, and fun. Come in costume. Free.
Paranormal Tour of the Manny Mansion (Burpee
Natural History Museum) – 737 N. Main St.
7-8 p.m. Kathi Kresol will give the history of the
building, and psychics Paul Smith and Sara Bowker will give their impressions of spirits. Cost: $20
advance, $25 at the door. Info: 815-871-4239.
Hockey: Rockford IceHogs vs. Charlotte Checkers
– BMO Harris Bank Center, 300 Elm St. 7 p.m.
Tickets/Info: 815-986-6465.
Spirited Ghost Tour – Coronado Performing Arts
Center, 314 N. Main St. 7-9 p.m. Price: $10 per
person. Info: 815-847-6317.
Friday, Nov. 1
A Tisket, a Tasket: Make a Tote Basket – Cherry
Valley Public Library District, 755 E. State St.,
Cherry Valley. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Instructors will guide
you step by step through a beginning basketry
project. Reserve your spot by mailing or dropping
off a $20 materials fee. (Write checks to Land of
Lincoln Basket Weavers.) Info: 815-979-7759.
Bazaar and Bake Sale – St. John’s United Church of
Christ, 401 N. Main St., Belvidere. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Drop-in Storytime – Rockford Public Library, Main
Library, Little Theatre, 215 N. Wyman St.
10:30-11 a.m. All ages. Info: 815-96507606.
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.
RockStat meeting – Regional Center for Planning
& Design, 315 N. Main St. 1 p.m.
Brovember Beard-A-Thon – Kryptonite Bar, 308
W. State St. 5 p.m. Dave Armstrong gives
straight-razor shaves to raise awareness for
men’s prostate cancer. 9 p.m.-close.
“Ties & Tennies Together” – Giovanni’s Restaurant,
610 N. Bell School Road. Cocktails/silent
auction/digital graffiti wall, 5:30 p.m. Dinner/
program, live music by Too Deep, 6:30 p.m.
Benefit for Rockford Park District. Tickets:
$100/person or table of 8 for $750. Info:
815-987-1632.
Special Recreation Talent Show – Belvidere High
School, 1500 East Ave. 6:30-9 p.m.
June & Edgar Martin Memorial Lecture – Center for
the Sciences Atrium, Beloit College, 700 College
St. 7 p.m. Upton Scholar James D. Gwartney will
speak about “Institutions, Economic Freedom,
and the Wealth of Nations.” Free.
Paranormal Tour of Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum
– 411 Kent St. 7-10 p.m. Cost: $20 members,
advance, $25 non-members, $30 at the door.
Info: 815-964-2424.
Comedy Night – Franchesco’s, 7128 Spring Creek
Road. 9 p.m. Info: 815-229-0800.
Saturday, Nov. 2
Troop 41 Boy Scout Pancake Day Fund-raiser
– Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2821
N. Bell School Road. 7 a.m.-noon. Tickets:
$5 each or $15 for a family; children under 5,
free. Fruit and whipped cream available for extra
$1. Info: 815-985-9522.
Lifescape hosts Community Healthcare Event –
Washington Park Community Center, 3617
Delaware St. 8 a.m.-noon. Information about
the Affordable Care Act and health coverage
options. Info: 815-963-1609.
Electronics Recycling Event – Lee County Office
of Solid Waste Management, 894 Shop Road,
Dixon. 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
5th Annual Openfields Local Foods Conference –
Atwood Center, 2685 New Milford School Road.
8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Fee: $25/person. Walk-ins
are welcome for a fee of $30/person. Info:
815-986-4357.
Bazaar and Bake Sale – St. John’s United Church of
Christ, 401 N. Main St., Belvidere. 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Holiday Gift Sale – Byron Forest Preserve District,
Jarrett Prairie Center, 7993 N. River Road. 9
a.m.-4 p.m. Handcrafted items. Free Breakfast
with Santa from 9-11 a.m. Donuts, juice, milk.
Great Hang-Ups 25th Anniversary – Great HangUps, 613 S. Rockford Ave. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Clothing consignment store celebrates with
an ’80’s-themed event. First 100 customers
will receive a special gift to say “thank you.”
Catered food, sales, special drawings, prizes,
live music, photo booth.
“Surviving the Holidays” – Griefshare Seminar at Journey Church Ministries, 7825 Forest Hills Road,
Loves Park. 10 a.m.-noon. Info: 815-633-6143.
Kids Club Event: Thanksgiving Handcrafted Turkey
– Michaels, 1017 W. Lane Road, Machesney
Park. Make a playful craft turkey. All supplies
included. Cost: $2 per child. Register for a session
every half-hour from 10 a.m. to noon.
March Against Corruption – City Hall, 425 E. State
St. 11 a.m. Hosted by Represent.Us IL-16-17
District Committee.
Book Fair to Benefit Midway Village Museum –
Barnes & Noble Bookstore, CherryVale Mall,
7200 harrison Ave., Rockford. 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
4th Annual Winter Wonderland – Summerfield Zoo,
3088 Flora Road, Belvidere. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Live
reindeer, elves, Mrs. Claus, crafts, face painting.
$8 adults, $6 seniors, $5 children. Final zoo
weekend for 2013!
MS Word 2010 in a Day – Sullivan Center, Nordlof
Center Computer Lab, 118 N. Main St. 11 a.m.-5
p.m. Ages 13 and older. Registration is required.
Info: 815-965-7606.
Saturday Spectacular: Roars of Snores! – Rockford
Public Library, Main Library, Little Theatre, 215
N. Wyman St. 11-11:45 a.m. All ages.
5th Annual 9-Pin Bowling Tournament – Forest
Lanes, 7742 Forest Hills Road, Loves Park.
Registration at 12:30 p.m., bowling 1-4 pm. $15
per bowler. Benefit for Barbara Olson Center of
Hope. Info: 815-871-2097.
Rock River Center Thanks Supporters – Rock
River Center, 710 S. 10th St., Oregon. 1-4 p.m.
Winnebago & Boone Counties Genealogical Society
– Spring Creek United Church of Christ, 4500
Spring Creek Road. 1:30 p.m. Topic: “Filling in
Your Computer Blind Spots.” Free.
Shelter Care Ministries First Annual Gathering of
Friends – 2-4 p.m. Open house tours held at 218
7th St., 2237 7th St., 1208 8th St., and MAYA’s
House, 215 N. Court St. 4-5 p.m.
Public Skating – Riverview Ice House, 324 N.
Madison St. Info: 815-963-7465.
Public Skating – Carlson Arctic Ice Arena & Sapora
Playworld, 4150 N. Perryville Road.
4th Annual Pasta Ball – Forest Hills Lodge, 9572
Forest Hills Road, Loves Park, to benefit Helping
Hands Pantry. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., dinner
at 6:30. Tickets: $35 per person; sponsorships
available. Info: 815-980-0208.
1st Brigade Band Concert & Gettysburg Address
– Veterans Memorial Hall, 211 N. Main St. 6
p.m. Historical program combines outstanding
music with narrative accounts, anecdotes, tales
and legends of the Civil War. Also in attendance:
President & Mrs. Lincoln (AKA Max and Donna
Daniels of Wheaton, Ill.). The President will deliver
his Gettysburg Address. Hosted by Logan Camp
#26, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War,
and Mary Logan Auxiliary No. 20. Cost: $10
adults, $5 children under 18.
Sunday, Nov. 3
Loves Park Fireman’s Association Pancake
Breakfast – Loves Park City Hall, 100 Heart
Blvd. 7 a.m.-noon. All you can eat for $6, kids 5
and younger, free.
Monroe Township Firefighters’ Association All-YouCan-Eat Buffet Breakfast – Fire Station, 104
West St., Monroe Center, Ill. 7-11 a.m. Cost:
$8 adults, $4 children ages 6-12. Ages 5 and
younger, free.
43rd Annual Aquin Flea Market & More – Aquin High
School Gym, 1419 S. Galena, Freeport. 8 a..m.-2
p.m. Antiques, collectibles, crafts, coins, stamps.
Build It! Make It! Exhibit: Mold-making – Discovery
Center, Woodward Hall, 711 N. Main St. 10 a.m.1 p.m. Preogram by Art Casting of Illinois. General
admission: $8 adults, $8 children (ages 2-17),
free to Museum members and children age 1
and younger. Info: 815-963-6769.
4th Annual Winter Wonderland – Summerfield Zoo,
Continued on page A9 
Vibe Entertainment/Vibe Calendars
The Rock River Times • Oct. 30-Nov. 5, 2013
a9
Multi-artist ‘Day of the Dead’ exhibit at FotoEnvy Nov. 1
Staff Report
Mario “Kayo” Martinez of GuerillArt and
Hip Hop Congress of Rockford is hosting the
fourth installment of Dia De Los Muertos,
which is an art gallery exhibit showcasing
the celebration of the “Day of the Dead” from
artists of diverse cultures and backgrounds.
The exhibit will run 6-11 p.m., Friday, Nov.
1, at FotoEnvy, 317 W. Jefferson St., Rockford.
Dia De Los Muertos (“Day of the Dead”) is
a Mexican holiday that focuses on gatherings
of family and friends to pray for and remem-
ber friends and family members who have
died. A group of more than 30 diverse artists
will showcase their artwork in various media
while presenting their interpretation to the
“Day of the Dead” theme.
The art exhibit will consist of artists from
the Chicago, Madison, Wis., and Rockford
area, including Sara Briseno, Jon Candiotta,
Richy Cepeda, Joelene Chinn, Jesus Correa,
Dillon Coulahan, Eddie Fajardo, Jaymee
Fedor, Katrina Brook Flores, Arturo Frescas,
Benjamin Gifford, Joseph Goral, Peter Goral,
Lisa Gray, Corey Hagberg, Lamarcus Harvey,
Jarrod Hennis, Javier Jimenez, Greg Lang,
Ryan Lape, Jeremy Lombardo, Oscar Luna,
Mario Kayo Martinez, Rodrigo Martinez,
Sarah McNamara, Danika Mollway, Dan
Moorman, Dennis Quijano, Brianna Smith,
Sarah Stewart, Manny Tang, Jay Turner,
Isaac Velasco, Emmanuel White Eagle and
more. A mural painted by Ryan Lape and
others on a wall of FotoEnvy will represent
Dia De Los Muertos on a large scale.
The art exhibit will present those in at-
tendance with a real-life perspective on the
diverse background of the artists and Dia De
Los Muertos. Music will be provided by DJ
Vic Monsta, DJ Rick Monsta, and live band.
Since the goal of this event is for the artists
to share their heritage and background with
attendees, the art exhibit is free to the public.
Refreshments will be served. This event is
sponsored by GuerillArt, FotoEnvy and Hip
Hop Congress of Rockford. Contact Mario Martinez at (815) 519-3204 or visit http://www.
rockfordhhc.org/dotd2013 for more details.
‘Winter Wonderland’ at Belvidere’s Summerfield Zoo Nov. 2-3
Staff Report
BELVIDERE, Ill. — Belvidere’s Summerfield Zoo, 3088 Flora Road, will present
its fourth annual “Winter Wonderland”
Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 2-3.
Margaret Tyler, member of the board of
directors at Summerfield Zoo, said: “Winter
Wonderland at Summerfield Zoo is going to
be a magical event! Don’t miss the chance to
 Continued from page A8
3088 Flora Road, Belvidere. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Live
reindeer, elves, Mrs. Claus, crafts, face painting.
$8 adults, $6 seniors, $5 children. Final zoo
weekend for 2013!
Leukemia Cancer Benefit for Christine Schmitendorf – Onyx Bar & Grill, 1001 W. Lane (Rt. 173),
Machesney Park. Noon-4 p.m. Food, raffle, silent
auction, bake sale & drink specials. Southern
Charm band to follow.
Adoption Information Meeting – First United
Methodist Church, 610 Bonus St., Belvidere.
1-3 p.m. Reservations at 815-962-1043 or
888-248-4335. Walk-ins are welcome too.
“Hoo” Haven Open House – 10823 Cleveland Road,
Durand. 1-4 p.m. Support local wildlife conservation efforts, see birds and animals in rehabilitation. Visit the new Aquatic Animal Recovery
Center. All ages welcome. Info: 815-229-0800.
47th Annual Swissfest – Turner Hall of Monroe,
Grand Hall, 1217 17th Ave., Monroe, Wis. 2
p.m. $10 at the door, $8 in advance.
Hockey: Rockford IceHogs vs. Grand Rapids Griffins
– BMO Harris Bank Center, 300 Elm St. 4 p.m.
Tickets/Info: 815-986-6465.
Monday, Nov. 4
Ribbon Cutting for Easter Seals New Therapeutic
School and Center for Autism – 615 S. Fifth
St. 9:30 a.m. Reception and tours to follow.
eReader Help – Rockford Public Library, East Branch
Bookworm Bakery & Café, 6685 E. State St. 2-4
take your best Christmas card picture ever
— with live reindeer and elves. ”
The zoo is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday,
Nov. 2, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, Nov.
3. Admission is $8 per adult, $6 per senior,
and $5 per child. All proceeds go to the care
of all the animals, many of which are rescues.
The weekend will include live reindeer,
elves, Mrs. Claus, crafts and face painting.
p.m. Ages 13 and older. Bring your eReader and
all your cords to this drop-in class. Being a laptop
if you have one. Info: 815-965-7606.
“The Basics: Memory Loss, Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease” – North Suburban Library,
6340 N. Second St., Loves Park. 3-4:30 p.m.
Free. Register at 815-484-1300.
LOL Club – Rockford Public Library, Lewis Lemon
Braqnch, 1988 W. Jefferson St. 4-6 p.m. Ages 6-11.
Windows 8 Workshop – Rockton Centre Branch
Library, Program Room, 3112 N. Rockton Ave.
6-8 p.m. Ages 13 and up.
Rockford City Council meeting – Council Chambers,
2nd Floor, City Hall, 425 E. State St. 6 p.m.
Name That Tune Pub Trivia – Hope and Anchor,
5040 N. Second St., Loves Park.
Tuesday, Nov. 5
TECHX, Entre Computer Solutions Technology Expo
– Clock Tower Resort, 7801 E. State St. 8 a.m.-3
p.m. Featured speaker is Chicago Blackhawks
President & CEO John McDonough. Event restricted to business owners, top-level managers
and informational technology managers only.
Register/Info: 815-399-5664.
Look, Listen and Learn Storytime – Rockford
Public Library, Main Library Little Theatre, 215
N. Wyman St. 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Ages 2-5.
Family Stories – Rockford Public Library, Main
Library, Little Theatre, 215 N. Wyman St. 11:15
a.m.-12:15 p.m. Ages 2-5. Info: 815-965-7606.
Girls, Let’s e-Read – Rockford Public Library, Lewis
Lemon Branch, 1988 W. Jefferson St. 4-5 p.m.
Ages 9-12. Info: 815-965-7606.
Teen’Scape at Rock River Branch – Rockton Centre
Branch Library, 3128 11th St. 4-6 p.m. Ages
10-19. Play games on Wii or Playstation, surf
the Internet, play board games, make crafts.
Special Meeting of Rockford Board of Education –
District 205 Administration Building, 3rd Floor
Board Room, 501 Seventh St. Open session at
4:30 p.m., then closed session after roll call to
address discipline of students and other matters.
Grief Support Group – Northern Illinois Hospice,
4215 Newburg Road. 5:30-7 p.m. Every Tues.
thru Nov. 19. Info: 815-398-0500.
Family Counseling Services Veterans’ Self-Help
Group – FCS Agency office, 210 N. Longwood
St. 6-7 p.m. every Tuesday. Self-guided, self-help
group. A Licensed Clinical Social worker will be
on site and on call at no cost. Free coffee and
water available. Info: 815-962-5585.
Family Story Hour – Rockford Public Library, Rock
River Branch, 3128 11th St. 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Beloit Regional Hospice Annual Memorial Service
– Bereean Baptist Church, 1992 Shopiere Road,
Beloit, Wis. 6:30 p.m. Memorial quilt will be on
display for the first time. Info: 608-363-7421
or toll free 877-363-7421.
“Introducing Amboy Marsh Sanctuary” – St. John’s
United Church of Christ, 1010 S. Park Blvd.,
Freeport. 7 p.m. Northwest Illinois Audubon
Society. Deb Carey, executive director of Dixon
Park District, will present the program. Free.
Enjoy animal encounter presentations, the
petting zoo, and shop in the gift shop.
This is the last remaining weekend for
the 2013 zoo season. Summerfield Zoo is a
not-for-profit organization. Visit summerfieldfarmandzoo.com or call (815) 547-4852.
a10
Vibe Entertainment
Oct. 30-Nov. 5, 2013 • The Rock River Times
The spookiest thing about TV
Tube Talk
By Paula Hendrickson
Contributing Writer
One of the spookiest things about TV is
how quickly trends catch on. A few years
ago, there were only a few ghost-hunting
shows on the air, like the British import
Most Haunted and Syfy’s Ghost Hunters and
Ghost Hunters International.
Even if you’ve seen ghosts yourself, you
still have to question the veracity of most
of these unscripted shows, especially newcomers capitalizing on the growing trend.
“Unscripted” doesn’t mean it’s unrehearsed
or unedited. All of these shows are heavily
edited —they have to be to condense an entire investigation into a one-hour show and
still have room for commercials.
I like Ghost Hunters not only because they
did a segment on Tinker Swiss Cottage, but
because they look for rational explanations
to “debunk” claims while other shows often
twist common sounds, like the expansion
and contraction of wood, into “evidence” of
paranormal activity. Some shows have fancy
gadgets they claim prove spirit activity or
allow people to communicate with spirits —
unfortunately, most of those objects look like
ways for someone off camera to trick viewers.
I’ve watched a lot of paranormal shows, but
the biggest fright I had was hearing an obnoxious lead investigator — who prides himself on
provoking spirits — say they’d “debunked” a
logical explanation. Um, supernatural claims
are what you should be debunking.
A month or two ago, I realized that ghost,
paranormal or haunting shows are on
constantly on TV. One day, I searched the
programming guide for the words “ghost,”
“haunt” and “paranormal,” and lost count at
28 titles. Knowing some shows were between
seasons, I decided to search the websites of a
few networks I knew had at least one ghostly
show … look what I found:
 Syfy: Ghost Hunters, Haunted Collector,
Paranormal Witness, Ghost Mine, Haunted
Highway, Ghost Hunters International and
Deep South Paranormal;
 Bio: Ghostly Encounters, Ghost Bait,
Haunted Encounters, My Haunted House,
Haunted History, Psychic Investigators, Psychic Kids: Children of the Paranormal, The
Ghost Speaks, The Ghost Inside My Child,
Supernatural Sisters, I’ll Haunt You When
I’m Dead, My Haunted Vacation, Stalked By
a Ghost and The Ghost Speaks;
 Travel Channel: Ghost Adventures, The
Dead Files (they investigated a Belvidere
property a couple years ago), and a new
show called Paranormal Paparazzi (yes,
you read that right);
 Destination America: A Haunting,
Ghost Town Gold and When Ghosts Attack;
 H2: Haunted History repeats;
Animal Planet: Ghostland, Tennessee (it
may be a stretch for Animal Planet, but one
of the guys sometimes brings his dog along
on investigations);
A&E: American Haunting and Psychic Tia;
 LMN: My Ghost Story, Celebrity Ghost
Stories and The Haunting Of ...; and
 TLC: Long Island Medium could also
be included in this genre.
When watching these shows, please
remember they’re entertainment. Some
use re-enactments to relate undocumented
experiences. Filming the investigations
may involve retakes. Many of the shows will
stretch the truth to make viewers think a
shadow is a “shadow person,” or a speck of
dust is an “orb.” Producers have probably
thoroughly researched homeowners’ claims,
and some of that information may have
filtered back to investigators. Some will
probably even fake evidence.
That said, I also believe some of the people
involved in the shows are sincere. I had a
pretty good BS-meter, honed from years of interviewing thousands of people in many walks
of life — including paranormal investigators
and a psychic. The psychic (not affiliated with
any of these shows) was clearly a scam artist
asking leading questions to help her fill in the
blanks, but Ghost Hunters’ Jason and Grant
(I still miss Grant, who left the show last
year) struck me as stand-up guys genuinely
interested in paranormal research. Indeed,
they stressed that paranormal simply means
“beyond the norm.”
Which makes it kind of funny that paranormal shows are now a normal fixture on
our screens.
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].
Crossword/Horoscopes
The Rock River Times • Oct. 30-Nov. 5, 2013
Crossword by Myles Mellor
Your Horoscope
By Denise Guzzardo
Week of Oct. 30Nov. 5, 2013
This Week: Mercury continues its
course in retrograde
and mischief-making through Nov. 10,
so continue to use
caution with travel and communications during this time. The beginning of
November provides the finishing touches
of the last lunar eclipse (Oct. 18 in Aries) with a solar eclipse in Scorpio Nov.
3. This eclipse marks a turning point
for many reasons. The ability to put so
many of these unresolved past issues to
rest will be a welcomed relief for many of
you. Grand opportunities begin to manifest during this time as well. However,
an eclipse in Scorpio can bring hidden
influences to an unexpected light. So, if
any of you are partnering in deceptive
practices, you may be caught during a
time like this. Honor yourself, take the
high road during times like these, and
all will go well.
ARIES (March 21 to April 19) — Help out
— take turns with mundane tasks and
obligations now. This could be within the
workforce or within your own personal
realm. These friends and loved ones who
feel overwhelmed at this time will notice
your generous contributions. Health
issues could be a contributing factor in
their lack of initiative. If you step up to
the plate, it will not be forgotten anytime
to soon.
TAURUS (April 20 to May 20)­ — It’s time
to let go of the past. Move into the new
positive direction that the universe has
provided for you now. Old, worn-out
thoughts, emotions and ideas will not
allow you to progress, therefore hindering
you from the happiness to which you are
entitled. Negative-thinking individuals
need to be kicked to the curb. Negativity
can be extremely contagious.
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) — You’re on
a roll with career. Major breakthroughs
have aligned in your favor. However,
you may have misplaced your knack
for utilizing good judgment or intuition
regarding the character of another in
your personal realm. A female with an
addiction problem may be creating more
difficulties for you than you can imagine.
Stay awake and focused — you may need
to call a spade a spade.
CANCER (June 21 to July 22) — Romance
may be on the back burner the first part
of this week. You need to tie up all of
the loose ends that have been hanging
on your last nerve recently. As the work
week comes to a close, you are ready,
willing and able to make up for lost time
with the object of your affection. Even
though this has been an uncertain bumpy
road, positive clarity is arriving quickly.
LEO (July 23 to Aug. 22) — You have the
tools, now you are in a position to use
them correctly. It doesn’t matter that it
has taken a while for everything to culminate — the time is now to activate all
Across
1 Whip
5 Intl. finance fund, for short
8 Kennedy and Turner
12 Mishmash
13 Skater, Babilonia
14 Far East maid
15 Chatterboxes
17 Classic art subject
18 Lapel ID (2 words)
20 Big internet news site
23 World War II ship
26 Egyptian for one
27 Keyboard instrument
29 Thrill
30 Upright
31 Sphere
33 Weekend education
35 Bring __ play
36 Proclamation
37 Verse
38 Djokovic’s nationality
41 Mentor
44 Veteran (2 words)
48 Metals to mine
49 Commit perjury
50 Off the wall
51 Pony up
52 Pool locale
53 European girl’s name
you have learned. Take a leap of faith,
and avoid those “naysayers” who want to
bring you down to their level. Keep your
emotional life close to your heart this
week. It is nobody’s business where you
are headed with your long-term goals.
VIRGO (Aug. 23 to Sept. 22) — It will
let up, I promise. These challenges and
financial confrontations are only temporary. In a way, these will only help you
value what is closest to your heart now.
With this newfound clarity, you will become equally refreshed and rejuvenated.
Remember the Christmas classic It’s a
Wonderful Life — the world would not
be the same if you had never been born.
LIBRA (Sept. 23 to Oct. 22) — It may be
time to come out of la-la land and face
some harsh facts about your long-term
goals. You have had some unrealistic
thoughts about the welfare of another. Be
prepared for some unexpected responsibilities to land on you shortly. Get plenty
of rest, and set some time, money and
energy away for the unknown. This way,
you won’t arrive unprepared.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23 to Nov. 21) — Watch
the tendency to become vindictive. You
have the right to be frustrated with the
actions of others, but there is no point in
getting even. The universe has your back
and is aligning a protective element for
you and your loved ones. Trust that it
will take care of things when the time is
right. Take time out to repair an injured
relationship. You won’t regret it.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 to Dec. 21) — In the
beginning of November, your finances will
finally be on track. Up until recently, you
have been on pins and needles robbing
Peter to pay Paul. Take this time to investigate your long-term goals. It’s never too
late to develop a plan for the future. With
that said, trust that all of your dreams,
hopes and ambitions will manifest.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 to Jan. 19) — Guard
that your ego does not get the better of
you this week. You have worked very hard
to get to this point in time that you are
at now. There is no point in backsliding.
This mentality is counterproductive to
your long-term goals. In other words, if
you can’t say something nice about someone, it’s better not to say anything at all.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 to Feb. 18) — All
eyes are on you this week. Lady Luck
is riding alongside you with a purpose.
Take advantage of the opportunities that
present themselves now. Romance begins
to heat up for you this month. Thursday
provides new business opportunities.
Dress for success.
PISCES (Feb. 19 to March 20) — Your
household is not in alignment, and ignoring this has actually created more
conflict. Someone has become the scapegoat for all of the upheaval, and now it
appears they have removed themselves
from the problem. Now you should be able
to see what the real issues are, so take
the action you need to take to find inner
peace. Midweek, a new business contact
will be available. Have all of your ducks
in a row.
For an extended astrological forecast
or psychic consultation, contact Denise at
(815) 398-3983.
Down
1 High ball
2 Mode or king
3 Family member
4 Associate
5 Part of a list
6 Filly’s mother
7 Hollow and tube-shaped in
medicine
8 Latin dances
9 Large bird
10 Your father
11 Lady
16 Thai people
19 Cain’s victim
20 Deviate from stable flight
altitude
21 Resulted (from)
22 Hemmed and ____
24 Repent
25 Sweet little pies
27 Commands
28 Piece of history
30 Mickey and Minnie
32 “Whew!”
34 Treat badly
35 Charge
37 __ on the back; good job!
39 Electronic sound
40 Brainchild
a11
41 Indian province
42 Final resting place
43 Retired, for short
45 Harebrained
46 Wind up
47 Colorful rug
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.
NOW & THEN
ANTIQUES , COLLECTIBLES & MORE
www.nowandthen-antiques.com
2520 Charles Street - 815.316.1088
Located in Rockford Plaza
Tues.-Sat. 11am-6pm Sun. 11am-6pm Closed Mon.
a12
Oct. 30-Nov. 5, 2013 • The Rock River Times