DEKALB, Ill. — The Northern Illinois University (NIU) School of Theatre and Dance will present the staged production of The Weir, written by Conor McPherson, Feb. 2-5 and 8-12, as directed by Patricia Skarbinski, with scenic design by Rachel Bulgrin, costume design by Melanie Parks, lighting design by Brandon Wardell, sound design by Deb DePuy, property direction by Kathryn L. Hubbard, technical direction by Zach Johnson and stage management by Jenny Jungman. The cast includes Bill Gordon, Ben Park, Jacob Smith, Nick Ferrucci and Charlotte Fox.

Weeknight and Saturday performances begin at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday performances at 2 p.m. in the Stevens Building Players Theatre on the DeKalb campus. Tickets are $16 for adults, $13 for seniors and $8 for students. More information and ticket reservations are available by contacting the Stevens Building Box Office at (815) 753-1600 or online at the School of Theatre and Dance website at http://www.niu.edu/theatre/.

BELOIT, Wis. — After months of rehearsal, a December Dance Workshop performance, adjudication and extensive preparation, Beloit College student choreographers and dancers will showcase their work alongside faculty and guest choreographers at Chelonia.

This annual spring dance exhibition will be at 8 p.m., Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 2-4, and 2 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 5, in Neese Theatre on the Beloit College campus. It is open to the campus and the community.

“This year’s concert is going to be wonderful with many choreographers going to the emotional edge,” said Chris Johnson, director of Chelonia and an associate professor of dance in the college’s department of theater, dance and media studies. “The faculty and students alike are exploring the human psyche, how we interact and the messages we convey.”

Besides directing Chelonia, Johnson will be restaging her award-winning piece, Wreath of Memories, which was inspired by the stories of children in the Holocaust and those who perished at Auschwitz.

“The message of the dance speaks to the power of the community to transcend intolerance and hatred,” Johnson said.

Another highlight of Chelonia will be the concert finale, which Johnson calls “a high-energy romp.” Called “Tangents,” the dance was choreographed by Andrea Markus in collaboration with dancers. Markus was a guest artist in West African Dance at Beloit last fall, and she is a teacher of African-based modern dance at New York University.

The dances in Chelonia choreographed by students are: “Pull Apart The Collective,” by Matthew Alan Porter; “Taking Hold,” by Mia Alcorn; “Can eye use you as my mirror?” by Liz K. Freeman; “Seven Minutes in Heaven,” by Mira Treatman; “Walking Waters,” by Liana Segan; “mmmm….what the doctor ordered,” by Joey Hernandez; and “This is a preview,” by Claire Alrich.

Dances choreographed by faculty are: “Sunshine/Moonshine,” by Visiting Assistant Professor of Dance Gina T’ai in collaboration with the dancers; “Betrayer Beloved,” by Visiting Instructor of Dance Sarah Wolf; and “Holding Patterns,” by Johnson.

Tickets are $8.50 for general admission, $5 for senior citizens and $4 for students. Tickets can be purchased in advance from the box office at (608) 363-2755.

Online Staff Report

Cirque du Soleil’s critically-acclaimed production Quidam will offer seven performances at Rockford’s BMO Harris Bank Center June 13-17.

Tickets for the general public will be available starting Feb. 3 at www.cirquedusoleil.com/quidam or by calling (815) 968-5222. Tickets are $35-$70 for adults, $28-$56 for children 12 and younger, and $31.50-$63 for military members, seniors and students.

Quidam had its world premiere in Montreal under the Big Top in April 1996. Since that time, the production has toured on five continents and been experienced by millions of people.

In December 2010, Quidam embarked on a new journey, performing the same captivating production, but now in arenas throughout North America.The international cast features 52 world-class acrobats, musicians, singers and characters.

Young Zoé is bored; her parents, distant and apathetic, ignore her. Her life has lost all meaning. Seeking to fill the void of her existence, she slides into an imaginary world — the world of Quidam — where she meets characters who encourage her to free her soul.

Performances at the BMO Harris Bank Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford, will be at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday-Friday, June 13-15; 3:30 and 7:30 p.m., Saturday, June 16; and 1 and 5 p.m., Sunday, June 17.

Matt Ulery (Photo by John Broughton)

Online Staff Report

Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker and Miles Davis each have written their own chapter in annals of music history. From 6 to 10 p.m., Feb. 3, at the Anderson Japanese Gardens, several of Chicago’s best entertainers will join forces in an all-star ensemble to celebrate some of America’s greatest jazz music at the Winter White Jazz Night.

Organized as a fund-raiser for Keith Country Day School, this ambitious and inviting ode to jazz will feature incredible entertainment, delicious hors d’oeuvres and drinks, a wine raffle with the opportunity to win gift certificates ranging from $15 to $100, and a huge inventory of silent and live auction items.

“It’s very exciting to be able to bring in this caliber of talent to Rockford,” said Alan Gibby, head of Keith Country Day School. “Our development office has done a tremendous job with this event, and I think the community is really going to enjoy it.”

About the band …

Kimberly Gordon

A Rockford native, Ryan Swanson has played his saxophone in the Forest City many times partnering with a variety of well-known local musicians such as Harlan Jefferson, Ernie Hendrickson and Matt Goodwin. He is joined on bass by Matt Ulery, who is described by Chicago Jazz magazine as a “leader of the new generation of Chicago jazz innovators.” Ulery has composed more than 200 pieces and has hosted music clinics at colleges across the United States, including at Princeton, Cornell and DePaul.

Rob Clearfield will be on the piano. Clearfield is just as ubiquitous in Chicago as Ulery with four solo albums to his credit. The Chicago Reader calls him “a rhythmic genius who has the ability to both improvise and stay true to any composition.”

Born in Chicago, Quin Kirchner has collaborated with a variety of musicians across the country. While living in New Orleans, he regularly played drums for some of the area’s most well-known bands, including the Other Planets and Grilly Biggs.

Rounding out the ensemble is Kimberly Gordon, whose unique singing talent is seen regularly on Sundays at the legendary Green Mill Jazz Club. Gordon has been part of the national jazz scene for 20 years and has shared the stage with jazz legends such as Roy Hargrove, Harry “Sweets” Edison, Marcus Roberts, Captain Jack McDuff and many others.

Tickets to this event are $25 per person. For more information, contact Diane Zammuto at (815) 399-8850, ext. 152.

Keith Country Day School is an independent, nonsectarian, college-preparatory school. On a 15-acre campus overlooking the Rock River, Keith serves students from age 3 through grade 12 from the northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin area. The school is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools and fully accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. More information about Keith School is available at www.keithschool.com.

Jamie Kindleyside and JustGoods favorite Andrew Holm met at an apartment co-op in Madison, Wis.; they’ve been close friends ever since. The two later moved to Nashville, Tenn., where Jamie currently resides. His schedule finally meshed with JustGoods, and the two friends will both do a set at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 3, at JustGoods, 201 Seventh St. These will include some improv duets. Some other guest players may participate.

Here’s what critics have said about Jamie’s music:

“Every once in a while, you find yourself lucky enough to sit in a bar and watch a musician plan, and have the presence of mind to realize that you are witnessing a future legend. It occurs to you that the very show you are attending will be talked about years later by people who will come to be hardcore fans. Such was the feeling I had while I was watching Jamie Kindleyside play. …” — Josh Clark, editor/critic, Washboard Weekly, Johnson City, Texas

“Kindleyside’s voice is gently gravelly, just on the smooth side of Steve Earle. He also has a fantastic picking style which combines the Delta blues picking of folks like Mississippi John Hurt and the more modern style of Jorma Kaukonen or Leo Kotke … Kindleyside’s songs stand up to the best in folk and Americana right now…” — Watauga Mountain Times, Boone, N.C.

“… a voice like frayed velvet and a cache of original, fingerpicked tunes that ring with future-classics familiarity even on the first listen.” — Melanie McGee, critic, Mountain Xpress, Asheville, N.C.

ArtSpace West Gallery, 1426 N. Main St., Rockford, will host an artists’ reception from 5 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 2.

The gallery will host painting and imagination by Paul Henderson, fused glass jewelry by Sue Barber, stained glass by Dave Barber, and new works by familiar artists Ray Schulz, Jackie Hickey, H. Edward Riddle and Jim.

The gallery also offers gifts starting at $3 for Valentine’s Day and other occasions.

ArtSpace West can be reached at (630) 546-4727 or artspacewestgallery@gmail.com.

“The Rainbow Connection”

Staff Report

Shannon Blosser-Salisbury, as an artist, does not leave well enough alone. Normal people from vintage photos are digitally fused with her own photography to create strange and compelling images. These intriguing and improbable pictures can be seen Friday, Feb. 3, when “The Pollyanna Society,” an exhibit of new works by Blosser-Salisbury, opens in the Kortman Gallery.

Blosser-Salisbury approaches her work with a sense for the peculiar and outlandish and with a sense of humor.

“I first began torturing antique photographs in 2007,” said Blosser-Salisbury. “At first, I did it for my own amusement, but when I started showing the finished pieces to friends, I heard comments along the lines of, ‘You’re sick!’ Well, there is nothing I could do but make more.”

Her images can take between several days and weeks to complete. The result is digital collages composed of antique photos and contemporary elements that become their own little fantasy worlds.

“There’s a little bit of darkness in each of these worlds,” Blosser-Salisbury said, “but I’m a Pollyanna, so the good side always triumphs.”

According to Doc Slafkosky, gallery director, Blosser-Salisbury’s work

“Lost in Space”

is hard to describe. “You really have to see Shannon’s strange and eccentric works,” Slafkosky said. “They seem weird at first glance, but when you take a longer look at them, they become even weirder … but at the same time, lots of fun! If anything, they are highly visual, colorful and best of all, oddly entertaining.”

Opening reception for “The Pollyanna Society” exhibition will be from 5:30 to 9 p.m., Friday, Feb. 3. Admission is free. The gallery is upstairs at J.R. Kortman Center for Design, 107 N. Main St., Rockford. For more details, call (815) 968-0123 or visit www.jrkortman.com.

From the Feb. 1-7, 2012, issue

Postpunk rock group The LustKillers will kick off their 4,000-mile U.S. tour with an 8 p.m., Friday, Feb. 3, performance at Kryptonite Bar, 308 W. State St., Rockford.

The LustKillers are known for their “familiar but fresh” form of postpunk rock ’n’ roll. Their music displays a formidable, dynamic combination of musicianship and song craft while equally delivering an edgy, tight and energetic experience in the live forum.

In preparation for their forthcoming release, That Which Does Not Kill Us …, the band will be touring 20 cities and covering 4,000 miles this February. A limited-edition CD single, “Revenge,” from the album will only be available for sale on this tour.

In 2003, frontman Adam Becvare was recruited by founding member Brian James (the Damned) to replace late legendary punk Stiv Bators in Lords of the New Church.

This LustKillers February Tour runs from Chicago to California and back, and sees the addition of bassman Mike “Corsh” Cortichiato from Chicago’s very own Van Buren Boys.

For more about the band, visit www.lustkillers.com, www.reverbnation.com/thelustkillers or www.myspace.com/lustkillers.

Kryptonite Bar can be reached at (815) 965-0931.

From the Feb. 1-7, 2012, issue

Arty-Joke performers include top row, from left: Erin Koroll, Stephen F. Vrtol and Patte Armato-Lund; middle row, from left: Richard Raether, Jodi Beach and David Gingerich; and bottom row, from left: Linda Abronski, Gary Wingert and Katie Maringer. (Image provided)

Staff Report

When a group of artists bands together to put on a show with music and plenty of laughs, it’s, well, kind of an arty joke.

Arty-Joke, Artists’ Ensemble (AE) Theater’s annual benefit, takes place at 8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 4, in the Maddox Theatre at Rockford College.

The tremendous line-up of performers, all donating their time and talent, includes Jodi Beach, Patte Armato-Lund, Tim Anderson, Steve Vrtol, David Gingerich, Timm Adams, Scott Chachula, Linda Abronski, Dennis Johnson, Carolyn Cadigan, Rachel Handlin, Jim McDowell, Erin Koroll, Gary Wingert, Richard and Margaret Raether, Katie Maringer, John Chase and more.

In addition, AE will announce their 2012-2013 season at Arty-Joke.

“We have BIG surprises in store for the ’12-’13 season,” said AE Artistic Director Richard Raether. “During the evening, as each play is announced, the audience will see a short scene from each show performed by Ensemble members.”

This year’s Arty-Joke theme is “Better Together: Artists’ Ensemble & You,” and the show highlights the community outreach of AE. Friends of AE such as One Less Tenor, the Vocal Collective of Rockford College, and string players from the Music Academy will also perform.

Tickets are $30 and all proceeds benefit AE. To purchase tickets, call the AE box office at (815) 904-2277 or purchase tickets online at artistsensemble.org/.

AE is the professional theater in residence at Rockford College.

From the Feb. 1-7, 2012, issue

Currently playing at the Beloit Civic Theatre in Beloit, Wis., Lost in Yonkers is the first in Neil Simon’s trilogy of his own life growing up in New York and how he became one of the outstanding playwrights in modern theater. Lost in Yonkers is his first work and it won him more awards than any of his other plays, including the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Michael Chase directs, and his long career in theater includes performances in London, New York, Chicago, Milwaukee and Madison, Wis. His notes are a tribute to the late Josh Burton, whose last work at New Court Theatre included Simon’s Brighton Beach Memoirs and Broadway Bound. Chase appeared in both plays, and my reviews reflected the quality of the productions. He quotes Josh, saying: “He insisted that his actors say the words exactly as Simon wrote them. … ‘It’s all there for you: the cadence, the rhythm, the set-up, the punch line.’” Chase closes his comment saying: “Josh Burton was an inspiration to me and to many others in Beloit. I would like to dedicate this production to his memory.” We all agree.

Chase’s choice of cast couldn’t be better. This family, dominated by matriarch Grandma Kurnitz (Donna Balsley), represents the joys and conflicts of every relationship. Grandma’s four children, now adults, still carry the scars of their mother’s childhood experiences. In her first appearance on stage, my judgment of Bella (JoAnn King) was … “she’s the crazy one.” I couldn’t be more wrong. Her performance is one of the best in recent memory. While she is battling to achieve her own identity, her mother’s view of her as a child is the source of constant conflict. Her dramatic monologues brought ovations from the audience.

Jonathan Marko plays Eddie, the father of Jay (Larry Larys Jr.) and Arty (Joshua Wick). Teen-agers forced to live with their grandmother while their father goes on the road to pay the medical bills of their recently-deceased mother, they are the epitome of the discontent of growing up. The appearance of Louie (Michael Mugnani) and his suspected “shady” background lends a whole new aspect to this complicated family.

The Beloit Civic Theatre continues to present outstanding theatrical productions. Its long-standing history is a tribute to the entire company. Playing through Feb. 4, tickets are available by calling (608) 362-1595. Beloit Civic Theatre’s home is the Elizabeth Reinholz Theatre. It is at the south end of Beloit High School. The address is 1223 Fourth St., Beloit, Wis.

From the Feb. 1-7, 2012, issue

Rockford Art Museum (RAM) will open “Pulp and Pigment: The Realms of Roland Poska” with a members’ preview and reception Friday, Feb. 3, and a public opening Saturday, Feb. 4.

The members’ preview Feb. 3 begins with a gallery walk at 5 p.m., followed by a reception from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The public opening Feb. 4 runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and features free admission, a free gallery walk at 11 a.m., and a free children’s art activity at 11 a.m.

The exhibit will remain on display through May 6.

Rockford artist Roland Poska’s pioneering work in the field of handmade paper establishes him as an important figure throughout the Midwest and the nation. For nearly five decades, Poska’s work has explored themes of color, nature and egalitarianism on a monumental scale.

“Pulp and Pigment” showcases many of the works that helped define Poska’s career as well as the medium of paper as an art form. Rockford College art professor David Menard guest curates this exhibition.

RAM is inside Riverfront Museum Park, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, and can be reached at (815) 968-2787 or online at www.rockfordartmuseum.org. Gallery and store hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Saturday, and noon-5 p.m., Sunday. Admission is $7 for adults, $3 for seniors and students, free to members and children younger than 12, and free to everyone every Tuesday. Admission is $2 per person for groups of 10 or more.

‘Pulp and Pigment’ children’s classes

RAM will offer the following children’s classes in conjunction with the “Pulp and Pigment” exhibition:

• Pulp Painting! — Saturday, Feb. 25, 2-3:30 p.m., ages 5 and older: Learn the exciting process of pulp painting. Using tissue paper combined with water, you will deconstruct paper into pulp and sculpt it into a new piece of artwork.

• Plantable Pulp Cards — Saturday, March 24, 2-3:30 p.m., ages 5 and older: Get ready for spring in this class. Using a stencil and screen, make a shape using handmade paper. Incorporate veggie or plant seeds into the shape. When it’s dry, paint and decorate your shape and glue it to a card. Once the ground thaws, plant your card in the soil to make a beautiful garden.

• Rock, Scissors, Paper Coil Baskets! — Saturday, April 28, 2-3:30 p.m., ages 6 and older: Transform a normal everyday basket into a modern work of art. Using paper coils, build a basket in whatever shape you like. Large or small, fat or thin … no two are alike.

Children’s classes are $8 per class or $20 for all three classes. All supplies are included. To register, call Stacey Sauer, RAM education coordinator, at (815) 972-2874.

From the Feb. 1-7, 2012, issue

The Red Sea Pedestrians

Staff Report

Charlotte’s Web for the Performing Arts will kick off the month with a rousing gypsy romp featuring The Red Sea Pedestrians (RSP) from Michigan. See them at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 3, at Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center, 415 N. Church St.

A one-of-a-kind, full-blown, instrument-swapping fusion between tradition and the here-and-now, RSP encompass world-beat grooves, hypnotic laments from the earth, songs of celebration and wonder: a warped and beautiful blend of Klezmer, Greek, Gypsy, Celtic, jazz and American roots, all filtered through the band’s original vision. RSP are a melting pot of six distinct singer/songwriters, almost a self-contained variety show.

Tickets are $18 in advance, $20 at the door. Advance tickets are available at: Rockford Area Arts Council, 713 E. State, (815) 963-6765; both Postal Shoppe locations: Edgebrook Center, (815) 397-7301 and 2205 S. Perryville, (815) 484-0940; JustGoods, 201 Seventh St., (815) 965-8903; Nikki’s Café, 604 Pleasant St., Beloit, Wis., (608) 207-3101; or by mail: send a check and SASE to P.O. Box 765, Rockford, IL 61105-0765. Indicate artist or performance date on check. Credit card payment accepted only at www.charlotteswebofrockford.org via PayPal. There is a $1 ticket processing fee included. Print your receipt. Info: Call (815) 964-2238 or visit www.CharlottesWebofRockford.org.

From the Feb. 1-7, 2012, issue

Winnebago County Judge Rosemary Collins (pictured) portrays wildly eccentric, totally bizarre psychic Beulah Thistlebottom in Pec Playhouse Theatre’s production of Waste MISmanagement, written by retired Winnebago County Judge Dan Doyle. The production opens Friday, Feb. 10, and runs for three weekends through Feb. 26. For tickets and more information, visit pecplayhousetheatre.org or call (815) 239-1210. Pec Playhouse Theatre is at 314 Main St., Pecatonica, Ill. (Photo provided)

From the Feb. 1-7, 2012, issue

Claire Mathiesen, Bloom

Staff Report

Five Rockford Public School District 205 students have been selected as winners of the inaugural Superintendent’s Art Contest.

The students were among nearly three dozen others who submitted artwork for the competition, which promotes the arts, encourages creative expression and will, in the future, help send District 205 students to college.

The 2011-2012 winners are Ryan Bright of West Middle School; Elizabeth Finley of Walker Elementary School; Yuna Hwang and Claire Mathiesen of Bloom Elementary School; and Daniel Strohman, of Washington Gifted Academy.

A panel of community art judges and district administrators selected the winners based on craftsmanship, overall impression of the artwork, and creativity and originality.

Daniel Strohman, Washington

Their work has since been turned into blank cards that the district will sell to benefit the College for All Fund, a central component of the “Readiness Rocks!” initiatives recently outlined by the superintendent. The goal is to provide financial assistance that will help students as they follow their dreams of pursuing college degrees. To date, more than $3 million has been raised to support the fund.

Cards are available for purchase. A set, which includes five envelopes and a card featuring the artwork of each student, costs $5.

Orders can be placed via phone to (815) 966-5299 or by visiting the Communications Department on the fourth floor of the new Administration Building, 501 Seventh St., Rockford. Examples of all winning pieces are posted on the district’s website, www.rps205.com.

From the Feb. 1-7, 2012, issue

Elizabeth Finley, Walker

Ryan Bright, West

Yuna Hwang, Bloom

Rockford Art Museum – 711 N. Main St. Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., noon-5 p.m. Featuring: “The Chemistry of Color” thru April 22. Free for everyone every Tues. Now: Pulp and Pigment: The Realms of Roland Poska, Feb. 3-May 6. Pulp and Pigment Teacher Workshop, Wed., Feb. 15, 4:30-6 p.m.; registration required. Children’s classes, Pulp Painting, (ages 5+) Sat., Feb. 5; Plantable Pulp Cards (ages 5+), Sat., March 24; Rock, Scissors, Paper (ages 6+), Sat., April 28. All classes 2-3:30 p.m. $8 per class or $20 for all 3. Info: 815-968-2787.

Artists’ Ensemble – Rockford College Cheek Theatre, 5050 E. State St. Info: 815-903-2277 or www.artistsensemble.org.

Kortman Gallery – 107 N. Main St. Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Opening Feb. 3: “The Pollyanna Society,” featuring work of Shannon Blosser-Salisbury. Info: 815-968-0123.

David C. Olson Photography Studio – 7801 E. State St., inside Clock Tower Resort. Wildlife and nature imagery. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.-noon, Saturday. Free. Info: 815-873-1777.

Beth Ann Weis Salon & Spa – 4108 Morsay Drive, Rockford. Hours: Tues. & Fri., 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Thurs., noon-9 p.m.; Sat., 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Sun., Mon., Wed. Info: 815-387-2700.

Funktional Arts – 412 N. First St. Furniture & sculpture. Info: 815-969-7942.

Rockford Dance Company – Riverfront Museum Park, 711 N. Main St. Info: 815-815-963-3341.

Village Gallery – Stewart Square. Artists’ co-op. 45 artists. Open Wed.-Fri., 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Info: 815-963-ARTS.

Bonzi Productions Theatre Group – Family theater, plays, musicals. Info: 815-394-8987.

Wright Museum of Art – 700 College St., Beloit, Wis. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Tues.-Sun. Info: 608-363-2677.

Galena Artists’ Guild Gallery – 324 Spring St., Galena. Thurs.-Mon., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Info: 815-777-2870.

NIU Art Museum – Hall Case Galleries, 116 Altgeld Hall, DeKalb. Tues.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat., noon-4 p.m. Exhibiting Jan. 10-Feb. 25: New to the Collection. Selection of artwork recently donated to NIU. Free. Info: 815-753-1936.

Rockford College Art Gallery – Clark Arts Center, 5050 E. State St. 3-6 p.m., Tues.-Fri. Info: 815-226-4105.

Womanspace – Womanspace, 3333 Maria Linden Drive. Mon.-Thurs., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Info: 815-877-0118.

Beloit Fine Arts Incubator – 520 E. Grand Ave., Beloit, Wis. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-2 p.m.Other hours by appointment. Info: 608-313-9083.

Monroe Arts Center – 1315 11th St., Monroe, Wis. Now exhibiting: Earth’s Canvas, group exhibit running thru Feb. 17. Info: 608-325-5700 or www.monroeartscenter.com.

ArtSpace West – 1426 N. Main St. Tues.-Fri., 3-8 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Info: 630-546-4727 or 815-988-1501.

Age Quake Theatre – Plays for and about those 55 and older performed in the greater Rockford area. Info: 815-398-8090.

Byron Civic Theatre – 850 N. Colfax, Byron. Playing Feb. 3-5: Mister Roberts. Info: 815-312-3000.

Cholke Photography & Fine Art Gallery – 2211 E. State St. Fri., 7:30-10 p.m.; Sat., 4:30-10 p.m.; Sun., 2-5 p.m. Free. Info: 815-226-9398.

The Fireside Theatre – Fort Atkinson, Wis. Now playing: Viva Vegas thru March 4. Info: 800-477-9505 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 now: 8th Annual Juried Exhibition, thru Feb. 3, 2012. Info: 815-235-9755.

DeKalb Area Women’s Center – 1021 State St., DeKalb. Fridays 7-9 p.m. Info: 815-758-1351.

Tom Littrell Design & Art Studio – 317 Market St., Rockford. Info: 815-519-5288.

Pec Playhouse Theatre – 314 Main St., Pecatonica. Coming Feb. 10: Waste MisManagement. Info: 815-239-1210.

Timber Lake Playhouse – 8215 Black Oak Road, Mt. Carroll. Info: 815-244-2035.

Ingrid Dohm Studio Gallery – 839 N. Perryville Road. Appointments/Info: 815-519-6492.

Midtown Marketplace – 203 Seventh St. Info: 815-961-1269.

The Gallery At JustGoods – 201 Seventh St. Currently seeking local artist to present works in the Community/Art room. Info: 815-965-8903.

Charlotte Hackin Art Studio & Gallery – 6278 Brynwood Drive. Info: 815-639-1318.

Bliss Beads Studio & Gallery – 161 E. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb, Ill. Weekly classes in bead jewelry making, silversmithing and flamework glass. Now thru Feb. 4: Folded Copper. Regular hours: 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Mon.-Sat. Info: 815-517-0164.

Woodstock Musical Theatre Company – Woodstock Opera House,121 VanBuren St., Woodstock. Info: 815-338-5300.

Northwestern Illinois Theater Coalition – Opening February 2012: The Cheddar Curtain. Info: 815-281-0138.

Rock Valley College – Estelle M. Black Library, Educational Resource Building, 3301 N. Mulford Road. Now thru Feb. 20: Exhibit of early Chinese ceramics from the Neolithic period, Han, Tang, Song, Jin and Liao dynasties. Mon.-Thurs., 8 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fridays, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturdays, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

Rockford College Art Gallery – 5050 E. State St. Exhibiting Feb. 2-March 3: Rearviewed by Chicago artist Don Colley. Hours: 3-6 p.m., Tues.-Fri. and by appointment. Info: 815-226-4100.

Womanspace, Gallery 1 – 3333 Maria Linden Drive. Thru Feb. 23: “Realism or Not.” Works by a group of artists in oil, acrylic, watercolor, glass, beadwork, pastel and mixed media.Watercolor class for beginners on Feb. 4. Info: 815-877-0118.

Call for Artists! Art Show for “Occupy” – 2500 N. Main St. Date: March 10, 3-10 p.m. Deadline: Feb. 29. Info: 815-519-1809.

Beloit International Film Festival presents: The Silent Film Showcase – Eclipse Center, corner of Riverside & Henry. Beloit, Wis. Date: Saturday, Feb. 18, 7:30 p.m. Silent classics with music by the Beloit Janesville Symphony Orchestra. Tickets: $25. Info: 608-313-1200 or beloitjanesvillesymphony@gmail.com.

Registration for Art Lecture: Wassily Kandinsky – Womanspace, Fountain View Room, 3333 Maria Linden Road. Date: Feb. 9. Noon-1:30 p.m. Cost: $12 (members $10). Bring a sack lunch if you like; light refreshments provided. Info: 815-877-0118.

Wednesday, Feb. 1

Bat Boy: The Musical – Rock Valley College StudioTheatre, 3301 N. Mulford Road. 8 p.m. Tickets: $16 adults, $14 seniors/students. Info: 815-921-2160.

The New Art Examiner, “Chicago’s Independent Voice of the Visual Arts,” 1973-2002 – NIU Art Museum, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thru March 10. Info: 815-753-1936.

Thursday, Feb. 2

Artists’ Reception – ArtSpace West Gallery, 1426 N. Main St. 5-8 p.m. Painting and Imagination by Paul Henderson; Fused Glass Jewelry by Sue Barber; Stained Glass by Dave Barber; new works by Ray Schulz, Jackie Hickey, H. Edward Riddle and Jim. Gifts for Valentine’s Day, all occasion, starting at $3. Info: 630-546-4727.

The Weir – NIU School of Theatre & Dance, DeKalb. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $16 adults, $13 seniors, $8 students. Info: 815-753-1600 or www.niu.edu/theatre/.

Bat Boy: The Musical – Rock Valley College StudioTheatre, 3301 N. Mulford Road. 8 p.m. Tickets: $16 adults, $14 seniors/students. Info: 815-921-2160.

Rearviewed – Rockford College Art Gallery, 5050 E. State St. Exhibit by Chicago artist Don Colley. Discussion with artist, 10 a.m. in Printmaking Studio, Clark Arts Center. Opening reception 5-7 p.m. in the gallery. Info: 815-226-4100.

Rockford Area Arts Council Recognition of 2012 Grant Recipients – Rockford Park District, Webbs Norman Conference Center, 401 S. Main St. 4 p.m. Council will award nearly $20,000 in grants to artists, arts organizations and community groups. Info: 815-963-6765.

Chelonia – Beloit College, Neese Theatre, 700 College St., Beloit, Wis. 8 p.m. Tickets: $8.50 general admission, $5 seniors, $4 students. Info: 608-363-2755.

Friday, Feb. 3

The Pollyanna Society (an exhibition of digital works by Shannon Blosser-Salisbury) – J.R. Kortman Center for Design, 107 N. Main St. Opening reception 5:30-9 p.m. Free. Info: 815-968-0123.

Wine, Cheese & Chocolate Tasting Fund-raiser– Freeport Art Museum, 121 N. Harlem Ave., Freeport. 6-9 p.m. Tickets: $20 members, $23 non-members, $25 at the door. Info: 815-235-9755.

Bat Boy: The Musical – Rock Valley College StudioTheatre, 3301 N. Mulford Road. 8 p.m. Tickets: $16 adults, $14 seniors/students. Info: 815-921-2160.

The Weir – NIU School of Theatre & Dance, DeKalb. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $16 adults, $13 seniors, $8 students. Info: 815-753-1600 or www.niu.edu/theatre/.

Mister Roberts – Byron Civic Theater, 850 N. Colfax, Byron. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $12 adults, $10 seniors, $6 students. Info: 815-312-3000.

Rearviewed – Rockford College, 5050 E. State St. 3-6 p.m. Exhibit by Chicago artist Don Colley. Thru March 3. Info: 815-226-4100.

Pulp and Pigment: The Realms of Roland Poska – Rockford Art Museum, 711 N. Main St. Handmade paper work. Members Preview with Gallery Walk at 5 p.m., reception, 6-7:30 p.m. Info: 815- 968-2787.

Chelonia – Beloit College, Neese Theatre, 700 College St., Beloit, Wis. 8 p.m. Tickets: $8.50 general admission, $5 seniors, $4 students. Info: 608-363-2755.

Saturday, Feb. 4

The Weir – NIU School of Theatre & Dance, DeKalb. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $16 adults, $13 seniors, $8 students. Info: 815-753-1600 or www.niu.edu/theatre/.

Bat Boy: The Musical – Rock Valley College StudioTheatre, 3301 N. Mulford Road. 2 p.m. Tickets: $16 adults, $14 seniors/students. Info: 815-921-2160.

Mister Roberts – Byron Civic Theater, 850 N. Colfax, Byron. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $12 adults, $10 seniors, $6 students. Info: 815-312-3000.

Arty-Joke: All Star Evening of Music and Laughter – Artists’ Ensemble, Rockford College, Maddox Theatre, 5050 E. State St. 8 p.m. Tickets: $30. All proceeds benefit Artists’ Ensemble Theater. Info: 815-904-2277 or artistsensemble.org/.

Pulp and Pigment: The Realms of Roland Poska – Rockford Art Museum, 711 N. Main St. Handmade paper work. Public opening with free admission, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free Gallery Walk at 11 a.m.-noon. Free Children’s Art Activity, 11 a.m.-noon. Sponsored by Art in the Garden. Info: 815-968-2787.

Sunday, Feb. 5

The Weir – NIU School of Theatre & Dance, DeKalb. 2 p.m. Tickets: $16 adults, $13 seniors, $8 students. Info: 815-753-1600 or www.niu.edu/theatre/.

Bat Boy: The Musical – Rock Valley College StudioTheatre, 3301 N. Mulford Road. 2 p.m. Tickets: $16 adults, $14 seniors/students. Info: 815-921-2160.

Mister Roberts – Byron Civic Theater, 850 N. Colfax, Byron. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $12 adults, $10 seniors, $6 students. Info: 815-312-3000.

Monday, Feb. 6

No listings submitted

Tuesday, Feb. 7

Rearviewed – Rockford College Art Gallery, 5050 E. State St. 3-6 p.m. Exhibit by Chicago artist Don Colley. Thru March 3. Info: 815-226-4100.

New to the Collection – NIU Art Museum, Hall Case Galleries, 116 Altgeld Hall, DeKalb. Tues.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat., noon-4 p.m. Exhibiting Jan. 10-Feb. 25. Selection of artwork recently donated to NIU. Free. Info: 815-753-1936.

“First and Third” Open Art Studio – Rockford Public Library, Main Library Little Theatre, 215 N. Wyman St. 4-6:30 p.m. All ages. Info: 815-965-7606.

Have your free listing in the Thursday preceding our Wednesday publication. Listings can be e-mailed to contact@rockrivertimes.com, faxed to 815-964-9825 or called in to 815-964-9767.

From the Feb. 1-7, 2012, issue



Rockford Public Library Hours – Main Library open Tues.-Thurs., noon-8 p.m. Fri. & Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; East Branch open Mon.-Thurs., noon-8 p.m. & Fri.-Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Rock River and Montague branches open Tues.-Thurs., noon-8 p.m. & Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Rockton Centre Branch open Mon.-Thurs., noon-8 p.m. & Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Lewis Lemon Branch open Mon.-Fri., 2-6 p.m. All library locations closed Sundays.

Burpee Museum of Natural History – 737 N. Main St. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Exhibiting thru April 29: “Ice Age Mammals.” Admission: $8 adults, $7 children 3-17, free for children younger than 3 and members; additional fee for traveling exhibits. Info: 815-965-3433.

Discovery Center Museum – 711 N. Main St. Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $7 adults, $7 children. Opening Jan. 28: About Robots: The Interactive Exhibition thru April 29. Info: 815-963-6769.

Tinker Swiss Cottage – 411 Kent St. Tours 1, 2, 3 p.m., Tues.-Sun. Info: 815-964-2424.

Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden – 2715 S. Main St. Tues.-Sat., 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Closed Sundays and Mondays until April. Admission $6 adults, $3 seniors & students, children younger than 3 and Klehm members, free. Donation Day is now first Tuesday of each month. Admission free, donations of any amount welcome. Info: 815-965-8146.

Anderson Japanese Gardens – 318 Spring Creek Road. Open May 1-Oct. 31. Info: 815-229-9390.

Memorial Hall – 211 N. Main St. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon-Fri., or by appointment. Info: 815-969-1999.

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.

Rockford Park District Indoor Adult Golf Clinics – Indoor Sports Center, 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. Mondays, 12:30-1:20 p.m. or 1:30-2:20 p.m. Taught by PGA members and apprentices. Thru March 14. Info: 815-987-8800.

Camp Grant – 1004 Samuelson Road. 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Tues.-Sat. Restaurant on premises. Info: 815-395-0679.

Lewis Lemon Community Center – 1993 Mulberry St. Mon.-Fri., 5:30-11 p.m. Free. Info: 815-987-8800.

Ethnic Heritage Museum – 1129 S. Main St. Sun., 2-4 p.m. Admission $3 individual, $5 family. Info: 815-962-7402.

Pine Tree Pistol Club – Info about club & classes: 815-874-7399.

Graham-Ginestra House Museum – 1115 S. Main St. Sundays, 2-4 p.m. Info: 815-968-6044.

Midway Village – 6799 Guilford Road. Mon.-Sat., noon-4 p.m. Info: 815-397-9112.

Stone Quarry Recreation Park – 6845 N. German Church Road, Byron. Mon.-Fri., 4-8 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., noon-8 p.m. Info: 815-234-8900.

Health Classes/Seniors Meetings/Support Groups – OSF Saint Anthony Center for Health. Call for specific meetings/dates/info: 815-395-4505.

Support Groups/Youth Drop-in Hours – Diversity of Rockford, 117 S. Third St. Free. Weekly. Call for specific meetings/dates/info: 815-964-2639.

Alcoholics Anonymous – Call for locations/times/info: 815-227-4633 or 815-968-0333.

Narcotics Anonymous – Call for locations/times/info: 815-964-5959 or 888-656-7329.

Support for Retired Grievers – Zion Lutheran Church, 925 Fifth Ave. 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Every other Wed. Call for dates/info: 815-636-4750.

Overeaters Anonymous H.O.W.– Every Thursday at Byron Public Library, Route 2. 12-step study group – 5:30-6 p.m. Regular group meets 6-7:30 p.m. Info: 815-734-4662.

Rockford Public Library Used Book Shop – Rockford Public Library, 215 N. Wyman St. Mon.-Wed., noon-8 p.m.; Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Info: 815-965-7606.

Ken-Rock Community Center – 3218 11th St. Various activities throughout the year. Computer classes Mon. and Wed. from 9:30-11:30 a.m. beginning March 12 thru April 11. Class will meet two times per week for 5 weeks. Class size is limited. Pre-registration and $50 commitment deposit required prior to first class. Fee will be refunded after you complete the class. Register/ Info: 815-398-8864.

Womanspace – 3333 Maria Linden Drive. Yoga every Thursday, 9:30-10:45 a.m. $40/four classes or $12/class. Basic Hatha Yoga. Other activities throughout the year. Info: 815-877-0118.

Beckman Mill Park – 11600 S. County Road H, off Highway 81. Tours 1-4 p.m. Corn grinding demonstrations, see the blacksmith shop, creamery & visitor center. Info: 608-751-1551.

Heritage Farm Museum – 8059 N. River Road, Byron. Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. Info: 815-234-8535, ext. 217.

Poplar Grove Vintage Wings and Wheels Museum – 5151 Orth Road, Poplar Grove. Open weekdays 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Info: 815-547-3115.

Rock River Valley Blood Center – 419 N. Sixth St. Mon.-Thurs., 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; Fri., 6:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Info: 815-965-8751 or 866-889-9037.

Kishwaukee Valley A.B.A.T.E. Meeting – V.F.W., 2018 Windsor Road, Loves Park. Second Sunday of each month, 2 p.m. Info: 815-544-3088.

Open Doors – Court Street United Methodist Church Chapel, 215 N. Court St. 12:30-1 p.m. Every Wed. Enter north end. Info: 815-962-6061.

Historic Auto Attractions – 13825 Metric Drive, Roscoe. Tues.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Info: 815-389-9999.

Angelic Organics Learning Center – 1547 Rockton Road, Caledonia. Various classes & activities throughout the year. Info: 815-389-8455.

Byron Museum of History – 106 N. Union St., Byron. Tues.-Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Info: 815-234-5031.

The Bridge Center of Rockford – 4861 American Road. Games & classes for beginners through experts. Info: 815-873-9334.

Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off – Rock River Water Reclamation District, 3333 Kishwaukee St. Sat., 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sun., noon-4 p.m.

Club Round: A Clubhouse for Round People – 7120 Windsor Lake Pkwy., Suite 202, Loves Park. Various activities throughout the year. Info: 815-639-0312.

Rockton Township Historical Society Museum – Corner of Blackhawk Boulevard & Green Street, Rockton. Open for tours every Sat. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Info: 815-624-4830.

Singles 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. Info: 815-632-9880 or 815-563-4309 or 815-275-7179.

Having Trouble Hearing on the Phone? – Center for Sight & Hearing, 8038 Macintosh Lane. 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Mon.-Fri. Free amplified phone program. Must be Illinois resident and have standard phone service. Application/info: 815-332-6800.

Winnebago County Health Dept. Flu Vaccine Available – For flu clinic schedule, call 815-720-4264 or go to www.wchd.org.

Stretch & Belly Dance Combo Beginners’ Class – Club Round, 7120 Windsor Lake Parkway. 7:30-9 p.m. Classes every Mon., Wed. & Fri. Registration/info: 815-639-0312.

Adventure Club – Jarrett Center, Byron Forest Preserve District, 7993 N. River Road, Byron. 9-11 a.m. or 1-3 p.m. Ages 3-6. Info: 815-234-8535, ext. 200.

Intermediate Writing/Publishing Class – Meets every Mon. Call for information. Info: 224-343-0384.

Introduction to Card-Making/Stamping – Meets every Thurs. Call for information. Info: 224-343-0384.

Toddler Time – Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 2001 N. Alpine Road. 9:15-10:15 a.m. Every Mon. and Tues. Free. Info: 815-399-3171.

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.

Logan Museum of Anthropology – 700 College St., Beloit, Wis. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Tues.-Sun. Info: 608-363-2677.

Yoga Classes – Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 920 Third Ave., Rockford. Mondays, 6-7:15 p.m., six weeks consecutive, $45 or single classes, $10 each. Register/Info: 815-963-4815.

Jarrett Center – Byron Forest Preserve District, 7993 N. River Road, Byron. Info: 815-234-8535, ext. 200.

Lazy Dog Yoga Studio – 5428 Williams Drive, Roscoe. $10 per drop-in class or 6 classes for $50. Chair Yoga every Friday at noon, Kundalini Yoga every Saturday at 9 a.m. Info: 970-485-0249.

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.

Registration for The Winter Zodiac – Byron Forest Preserve District, 7993 N. River Road. Date: Feb. 3. 7-8 p.m. For ages 6 and up. Meet at Weiskopf Observatory. Free. Register by Feb. 2. Info: 815-234-8535, ext. 200.

Registration for Trip to Art Institute – Byron Forest Preserve District, 7993 N. River Road. Date: Feb. 8. Meet at Jarrett Center at 10 a.m. All ages. Cost: $15/person or $25/couple. Museum fees not included. Register by Feb. 6. Info: 815-234-8535, ext. 200.

Registration for Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University – Valley Evangelical Covenant Church, 103 S. Maple St. (Rt. 72 & Maple St.), Stillman Valley. Program starts Feb. 13 . Info: 815-645-8872.

Registration for Owl Prowl – Byron Forest Preserve District, 7993 N. River Road. Date: Mon., Feb. 16 7 p.m. Take a night hike; meet at Jarrett Center. $2/person. Register by Feb. 8. Info: 815-234-8535, ext. 200.

Registration for Third Annual Stone Bridge Trail Marathon & 5K Races – Date: Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012, 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.

Reservation for PAWS Humane Society Fur Ball Dinner – Giovanni’s Restaurant, 610 N. Bell School Road. Date: Feb. 11. Cocktails, 5:30 p.m., dinner 6:30, live auction 8 p.m. Info: 815-299-PAWS (7297) or www. PAWSHS.org.

Reservations for Valentine Potluck and Chocolate Dessert Sale – Second Congregational Church, 318 N. Church St. Date: Feb. 11. 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Lunch: Bring a light Valentine entree to serve 6-8. Breads, beverages and dessert will be provided. Chocolate Dessert: Bring a dessert item priced and wrapped for sale. Speaker Andrea Wright, AAUW member. RSVP by Feb. 8 to 815-877-4762 or joysd248@att.net.

Registration for Sweetheart Skiing – Byron Forest Preserve District, 7993 N. River Road. Date: Feb. 12, 1-4 p.m. Meet at Jarrett Center. All ages. $2/person. Register by Feb. 8. Info: 815-234-8535, ext. 200.

Upcoming: Kid Concert – Magic Matt – Byron Forest Preserve District, 7993 N. River Road. Date: Feb. 11. Meet at Jarrett Center at 3 p.m. All ages. Free. Info: 815-234-8535, ext. 200.

Coupons for Fund-raiser for “Thrivent Builds” Lutheran Habitat House – Denali’s Pizza, 4190 Newburg Road. Dates: Feb. 13 and 14. 15 percent of your purchase (before tax) will be donated to Rockford 2012 “Thrivent Builds” Habitat for Humanity home. Pick up your Denali’s coupon at a Lutheran church. Info: 815-708-6523.

Registration for Free EKG Screens for High School Students – Heart Hospital at SwedishAmerican, Rockford. Date: Feb. 15. Appointments are scheduled every 15 minutes, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Info: 815-968-4400, ext. 62894 or asammons@swedishamerican.org.

Do you need help? Gamblers Anonymous meets at 6 p.m. every Monday. Call Roger at 815-601-8894.

Volunteer Tutors Needed – The Literacy Council Tutor Workshop Series invites you to sign up. Six classes will be held Mondays and Wednesdays at 982 N. Main St.. Feb. 6 & 7. Info: 815-963-READ (7323).

Wednesday, Feb. 1

Environmental Film Series: Windfall – Rock Valley College, 3301 N. Mulford Road. 6-10 p.m. Cost: $1. Discussion to follow. Advance registration: 815-921-3900.

Ohio Valley Gold & Silver Refinery Roadshow – Holiday Inn, 7550 E. State St. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Online system connects with 10,000-plus collectors. Info: 217-726-7590.

Free Admission at Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens – 1354 N. Second St., Rockford. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Highlights: “Herbal Teas & Your Health” – 5-6 p.m. Shop at Garden Gate Gifts. Info: 815-987-8898.

Free EKG Screenings for High School Students – Belvidere Medical Center, 1700 Henry Luckow Lane. Appointments are scheduled every 15 minutes and begin at 5:30 p.m. Info: 815-968-4400, ext. 62894 or asammons@swedishamerican.org.

RU Ready to be an Entrepreneur? – Rock Valley College Technology Center, 3301 N. Mulford Road. Free. Sponsored by SCORE. Info: www.northernillinoisscore.org/workshop-ruready.html.

Babes and Books – Rockford Public Library, Main Library Little Theatre, 215 N. Wyman St. 11:15 a.m.-noon. Children younger than 2. Develop baby’s literacy & social skills through rhymes, stories, songs. Info: 815-965-7606.

YA Monthly Movies @ Main: Priest –Rockford Public Library, Main Library Auditorium, 215 N. Wyman St. Rated PG-13. Ages 12-19. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Info: 815-965-7606.

Online Job Search – Rockford Public Library, Main Library, second-floor computer room, 215 N. Wyman St. 6-8 pm. Ages 13 and older. Must be proficient with Internet Explorer. Info: 815-965-7606.

Diabetes Support Group – OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, St. Francis Room, 5666 E. State St. 6:30 p.m. Free. Info: 815-395-5159.

Weight Loss Orientation – OSF Saint Anthony Center for Health, rotates among three OSF locations. 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. every Wed. Info: 815-395-4505.

“Woman to Woman” Breast Cancer Support Group – OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, Cancer Care Library, 5666 E. State St. 9:30-10:30 a.m. Info: 815-227-2629.

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 – Rockford Public Library, Main Library Young Adult Zone, 215 N. Wyman St. 6-7 p.m. Ages 13-19. How can the library better serve youth? To apply, see Kathi Kresol in Youth Services, call or e-mail her at 815-965-7606, ext. 682 or kkresol@rockfordpubliclibrary.org.

Lizard Man & Joe Keith: Comedy – Whiskey’s Roadhouse, 3207 N. Main St. 8 p.m. Info: 815-877-8007.

Thursday, Feb. 2

Walk-In Cholesterol Screening Clinic – Heartland Community Church, 1280 S. Alpine Road. 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. “Heart Month Special” on Lipid Panel and Comprehensive Metabolic panel, $25. Tests require a 10-hour fast, but it is recommended to drink plenty of water prior to screening. Info: 815-720-4000.

Winnebago County Candidates Forum – Allen Chapel, 3000 Rural St. 6:30 p.m. Sponsored by AAUW, League of Women Voters and others.

Ohio Valley Gold & Silver Refinery Roadshow – Holiday Inn, 7550 E. State St. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Online system connects with 10,000-plus collectors. Info: 217-726-7590.

Career Expo and Job Fair – Community Building Complex, 111 W. First St., Belvidere. Noon-4 p.m. Hosted by The Workforce Connection. Info: www.theworkforceconnection.org.

Blue Blazers Toastmasters Meeting – Hamilton Sundstrand, 4747 Harrison Ave. Noon-1 p.m. Info: 815-968-6860.

Free “Leaving Your Legacy” Workshop – Booker Washington Center, 524 Kent St. 1 p.m. Learn how to preserve family photos, birth records, marriage licenses, military records, awards, trophies, more. Sponsored by Lifescape Community Services, Inc., and Booker Washington Center. Info: 815-962-9117.

Career College for High School Students Info – Rock Valley College, Stenstrom Center, 4151 Samuel-son Road. 6-7:30 p.m. Learn about dual credit courses, get help in filling out RVC applications. Info: 815-921-4086.

Internet – Rockford Public Library, Main Library, second-floor computer room, 215 N. Wyman St. 2-4 p.m. Ages 13 and older. Prerequisite: Introduction to computers or the equivalent. Info: 815-965-7606.

Teen ‘Scape – Rockford Public Library, Montague Branch, Connie Lane Room, 1238 S. Winnebago St. 4-7 p.m. Ages 10-19. Info: 815-965-7606.

Beginning Computer for the Absolute Beginner – Rockford Public Library, Main Library, second-floor computer room, 215 N. Wyman St. 6-8 p.m. Ages 13 and older. Info: 815-965-7606.

Love Your Library – Rockford Public Library, East Branch, 6685 E. State St. 11:15-12:15 p.m. All ages. Must enter by side door. Info: 815-965-7606.

Sweet Tooth Styles – Rockford Public Library, Montague Branch, Connie Lane Room, 1238 S. Winnebago St. 4-7 p.m. Ages 10-19. Registration is required. Info: 815-965-7606.

Turning 65–Get the Facts – Rockford Public Library, East Branch, Friends of RPL Community Room, 6685 E. State St. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Ages 50 and older. Social Security, Original Medicare Parts A and B, supplemental insurance, Medicare Parts C and D, info on eligibility, enrollment, benefits. Registration is required. Info: 815-965-7606.

Happiness Club Meeting – North Suburban Library, 6340 N. Second St., Loves Park. 6:30-8 p.m. Speaker Jodell Gabriel presents an overview of aromatherapy. Free. Info: 888-637-3563.

Concert of Prayer – St. Luke’s Missionary Baptist Church, 2919 19th St. 7 p.m. Worship & prayer, open to public. Sponsored by National Day of Prayer Committee and Rockford Renewal Ministires. Info: 815-962-6246.

Nondenominational Bible Talks on New Testament Teachings of Jesus – Winnebago Farm Bureau, 1925 S. Meridian Road. 7:30-8:30 p.m. Free. All are welcome. Info: 815-670-4387.

QuickBooks Workshop – Rockford Public Library, East Branch, Friends of RPL Community Room, 6685 E. State St. 6-8 p.m. Ages 18 and older. Info: 815-965-7606.

Look, Listen and Learn Storytime – Rockford Public Library, East Branch, 6685 E. State St. 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Ages 3-6 Info: 815-965-7606.

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.

Teen ‘Scape – Rockford Public Library, Rockton Centre Branch, 3112 N. Rockton Ave. 4-7 p.m. Ages 10-19. Play games on Wii or Playstation, surf the Internet, play board games. Info: 815-965-7606.

Made in America: Mammals – Byron Forest Preserve District, 7993 N. River Road. 5-7 p.m. Meet at Jarrett Center. All ages. Register by Dec. 21. Info: 815-234-8535, ext. 200.

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.

Stories by the Fire – Rockford Public Library, Rock River Branch, 3128 11th St. 6:30-7:30 p.m. All ages. Info: 815-965-7606.

SOUNS for Infants – Rockford Public Library, East Branch Children’s Area, 6685 E. State St. 6-6:45 p.m. Ages under 2. Infant literacy building program. Info: 815-965-7606.

Sunset Storytime – Rockford Public Library, Main Library Little Theatre, 215 N. Main St. 5-5:45 p.m. Ages 4-10. Info: 815-965-7606.

Open Mic – Katie’s Cup, 502 Seventh St. Free. Info: 815-986-0628.

Swing Dancing – St. Edward Church, 3004 11th St. 8-10:30 p.m. Every Thurs. Info: 815-914-7441.

Preschool Picnic Storytime – Rockford Public Library, Rockton Centre Branch, 3112 N. Rockton Ave. Noon-12:45 p.m. Ages 3-6. Bring a lunch. 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.

Support for Grief After Suicide – Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 4700 Augustana Drive. 7 p.m. Free. Every other Thurs. Call for schedule/info: 815-399-0202.

Learn Self-Hypnosis for Wellness – enTrance Center, 5844 Elaine Drive, Rockford. 6:30-8 p.m. $25. Call in advance: 815-397-5901.

Unplugged Gamers Night – Rockford Public Library, Main Library, Young Adult Zone, 215 N. Wyman St. 5-7 p.m. Ages 13-19. Info: 815-965-7606.

QuickBooks – Rockford Public Library, East Branch, Friends of RPL Community Room, 6685 E. State St. 6-8 p.m. Ages 13 and older. Prerequisite: Must be able to mail merge in MS Word and create a chart in MS Excel. Registration is required. Info: 815-965-7606.

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, Feb. 3

Walk-In Cholesterol Screening Clinic – Heartland Community Church, 1280 S. Alpine Road. 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. “Heart Month Special” on Lipid Panel and Comprehensive Metabolic panel, $25. Tests require a 10-hour fast, but it is recommended to drink plenty of water prior to screening. Info: 815-720-4000.

“The Role of Philanthropic Advisors” – Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road. 7:30-9 a.m. Presented by the Northern Illinois Planned Giving Council. Cost: $20 for NIPGC members, $35 for non-members. Registration fee includes breakfast. Info: 815-490-1620 or NIPGC@aol.com.

Ohio Valley Gold & Silver Refinery Roadshow – Holiday Inn, 7550 E. State St. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Online system connects with 10,000-plus collectors. Info: 217-726-7590.

Salsa Business Network Luncheon – Spider Sushi Bar & Restaurant, 4415 Harrison Ave., Rockford. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Cost: $12 at the door. RSVP at: 815-289-5970.

Benefit for Mitchel Krause Scholarship Fund – Park Lanes, 5318 N. Second St., Loves Park. Donations can also be made to Mitchel Krause Scholarship Fund, c/o Gateway Community Bank, 5390 Williams Drive, Roscoe, IL 61073. Info on event or scholarship: MK23memorial@gmail.com.

Conversational Spanish – Rockford Public Library, East Branch Bookworm Bakery & Café, 6685 E. State St. 4-6 p.m. Info: 815-965-7606.

The Winter Zodiac – Byron Forest Preserve District, 7993 N. River Road. 7-8 p.m. For ages 6 and up. Meet at Weiskopf Observatory. Free. Register by Feb. 2. Info: 815-234-8535, ext. 200.

Drop-In Storytime – Rockford Public Library, Main Library Little Theatre, 215 N. Wyman St. 10:30-11 a.m. All ages. Info: 815-965-7606.

Girlz Talk – Rockford Public Library, Lewis Lemon Branch, 1988 Jefferson St. 4-5 p.m. Ages 9-13. Info: 815-965-7606.

Diabetes Support Group – OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, St. Francis Room, 5666 E. State St. 6:30 p.m. open discussion. Free. Info: 815-395-5159.

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.

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.

Monster Jam – BMO Harris Bank Center, 300 Elm St. 7:30 p.m. Monster truck series showcasing freestyle and racing competition among machines averaging 12 feet by 12 feet, weighing at least 10,000 pounds. Tickets: $20 adults, $5 children age 12 and younger, limited number of Gold Circle seats available. Info: 815-968-5222. $5 discount coupons available at participating Advance Auto Parts locations thru Feb. 3.

Saturday, Feb. 4

Walk-In Cholesterol Screening Clinic – Heartland Community Church, 1280 S. Alpine Road. 8 a.m.-noon “Heart Month Special” on Lipid Panel and Comprehensive Metabolic panel, $25. Tests require a 10-hour fast, but it is recommended to drink plenty of water prior to screening. Info: 815-720-4000.

Ohio Valley Gold & Silver Refinery Roadshow – Holiday Inn, 7550 E. State St. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Online system connects with 10,000-plus collectors. Info: 217-726-7590.

Atwood Wanderings – Atwood Park, 2685 New Milford School Road. Morning or afternoon. Fee: $7/person ($9 non-resident), or bring a sack lunch and save $2 by signing up for same-day morning and afternoon programs. Info: 815-987-8800.

February Visit Day – Rockford College, Burpee Center, 5050 E. State St. 8:30 a.m.-noon. Application fee will be waived if students fill out their application form today. Reserve at: 815-226-4050 or 800-892-2984 or http://www.rockford.edu/?VisitDay.

Turner Hall Open House – 1217 17th Ave., Monroe, Wis. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Creative room displays and decor, entree & wine sampling, facility tours, slide presentation, drawings for Ratskeller gift certificates, etc. Info: 608-325-3461.

Winter Trails & Naturalist Tales – Atwood Center, 2685 New Milford School Road. 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Presented by U of I Extension-Winnebago County. Fee: $30, includes lunch, two keynote speakers, one guided outdoor hike and snowshoe rental. Register at 815-986-4357 or http://web.extension.illinois.edu/sw.

Traditional Japanese Snow Viewing Tea Ceremony – Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Road. Ceremony times from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. $25/person; reservations required. Limited to 15 participants for each of the times. Info: 815-229-9390, ext. 10.

Paper Bag Princess Party – Cherry Valley Public Library District, 755 E. State St. 1 p.m. Ages 3 and older. Children’s program based on the book, The Paper Bag Princess. Info: 815-332-5161.

Winnebago & Boone Counties Genealogical Society – Spring Creek United Church of Christ, 4500 Spring Creek Road. 1:30 p.m. Program about Greenwood Cemetery history. Free, open to all interested persons. Info: 815-230-1040.

Saturday Spectacular: Terrific Teeth!- Rockford Public Library, Main Library Little Theatre, 215 N. Wyman St. 11-11:45 a.m. All ages. Info: 815-965-7606.

Water Your Roots: Grow Your Family Tree – Rockford Public Library, Montague Branch, 1238 S. Winnebago St. 3-5:15 p.m. Ages 18 and older. Discover your ancestry. Info: 815-965-7606,

Snowshoeing (with instruction) – Seth B. Atwood Park. Youth must be accompanied by an adult during the program. Pre-registration requested. Info: 815-874-7576.

Public Tours of Coronado Performing Arts Center – Coronado PAC, 314 N. Main St. 7 p.m. $7. Reservations/Info: 815-968-0595.

Family Skate – Carlson Arctic Ice Arena & Sapora Playworld, 4150 N. Perryville Road, Loves Park. 8 p.m. Info: 815-969-4069.

Adult Grief Support Group – Beloit Regional Hospice Office, 655 Third St., Suite 200, Beloit, Wis. 6-7:30 p.m. Info: 608-363-7421.

Kundalini Yoga – Lazy Dog Yoga Studio, 5428 Williams Drive, Roscoe. 7:30 a.m. Info: 970-485-0249.

Public Skating – Riverview Ice House, 324 N. Madison St. Info: 815-963-7465.

Public Skating – Carlson Arctic Ice Arena & Sapora Playworld, 4150 N. Perryville Road. Info: 815-969-4069.

Monster Jam – BMO Harris Bank Center, 300 Elm St. Pit party, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Monster truck series showcasing freestyle and racing competition at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Machines averaging 12 feet by 12 feet, weighing at least 10,000 pounds. Tickets: $20 adults, $5 children age 12 and younger, limited number of Gold Circle seats available. Info: 815-968-5222. $5 discount coupons available at participating Advance Auto Parts locations thru Feb. 3.

Sunday, Feb. 5

All-You-Can-Eat Buffet Breakfast – Monroe Township Firefighters Association, 104 West St., Monroe Center, Wis. 7-11 a.m. Cost: $7.50 adults, $3 children ages 6-12, age 5 and younger, free.

Frosty and Friends Ice Skating – Carlson Ice Arena, 4150 N. Perryville Road. 2-4 p.m. Learn to Skate lessons, music by a live DJ, prize drawings. Admission includes skate rental, $5; free for ages 2 and younger. Info: 815-987-8800.

Monday, Feb. 6

The Skin I’m In – Rockford Public Library, Lewis Lemon Branch, 1988 Jefferson St. 4:30-5:30 p.m. All ages. Info: 815-965-7606.

Applications/Workshop for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Scholarship – DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St., DeKalb. 5-7 p.m. and Freeport School Dist. Admin. Office, 5-8 p.m. Workshops open to public, male and female. Applications available at all area high schools, public libraries and members of the organization, or e-mail to RACDSTscholarship@hotmail.com.

Kids Club – Rockford Public Library, Lewis Lemon Branch, 1988 W. Jefferson St. 4:30-5:30 p.m. Ages 6-12. Info: 815-965-7606.

Valentine Party – Cherry Valley Public Library District, 755 E. State St. 6 p.m. Ages 6 and up. Design a quilt square, games, stories, crafts, activities. Info: 815-332-5161.

MS PowerPoint 2010 – Rockford Public Library, Rockton Centre Branch, 3112 N. Rockton Ave. 6-8 p.m. Ages 13 and older. Prerequisite: Proficient familiarity with computers. Info: 815-965-7606.

Excel – Rockford Public Library, Rockton Centre Branch, 3112 N. Rockton Ave. 6-8 p.m. Ages 13 and older. Prerequisite: Must have a good understanding of MS Word. Info: 815-965-7606.

Infant/Toddler CPR – OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, St. Anthony and St. Joseph rooms, 5666 E. State St. 7-9 p.m. Cost: $12.50/person or free to those who attend “Baby 101” or Baby Express. Info: 815-227-2695.

Tuesday, Feb. 7

Benefit for Jimmy Newcomer – Texas Roadhouse, 7240 Walton St. 2-10 p.m. Dinner fund-raiser and silent auction to help 19-year-old serving assistant who was recently diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Special appearances by Rockford IceHogs. Restaurant will donate all tips and 10 percent of all sales to Jimmy’s family.

Love Your Library – Rockford Public Library, East Branch, 6685 E. State St. Noon-12:45 p.m. All ages. Must enter by side door. Info: 815-965-7606.

Beginning MS Word 2010 – Rockford Public Library, Main Library, second-floor computer room, 215 N. Wyman St. Ages 13 and older. Prerequisite: Proficient familiarity with mouse and keyboard. Info: 815-965-7606.

Sweet Tooth Styles – Rockford Public Library, Rock River Branch, 3128 11th St. 4-5:30 p.m. Ages 10-19. Registration is required. Info: 815-965-7606.

Teen ‘Scape – Rockford Public Library, Rock River Branch, 3128 11th St. 4-5:30 p.m. Ages 10-19. Info: 815-965-7606.

Garlic Dinner at Abreo – 515 E. State St. 5-9 p.m. Cost: $40/person (excluding tax & gratuity). Seating is limited. RSVP: 815-968-9463.

Family Story Hour – Rockford Public Library, Rock River Branch, 3128 11th St. 6:30-7:30 p.m. All ages. Info: 815-965-7606.

Sunset Storytime – Rockford Public Library, East Branch Children’s Area, 6685 E. State St. 6:30-7:15 p.m. Info: 815-965-7606.

Northwest Illinois Audubon Society Meeting – St. John United Church of Christ, Freeport. 7 p.m. Topic: “Do We Live Above An Underground Lake?” Speaker Larry Lyons, a master groundwater contractor. Free.

Have your free listing in the Thursday preceding our Wednesday publication. Listings can be e-mailed to contact@rockrivertimes.com, faxed to 815-964-9825 or called in to 815-964-9767.

From the Feb. 1-7, 2012, issue

Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center 2012-2013 Concert Season – Subscription packages or single tickets available. Next concert: Debussy, le magnifique. Date: Friday, March 2, 7:30 p.m. with pre-concert lecture by Michael Beert. Admission: $25 adults, $5 students; groups of 10 or more receive $5 off per ticket. Info: www.mendelssohnpac.org.

Rockford Symphony Orchestra Patrons: Single tickets are now on sale for ComEd Classics Series. Next concert: Valentine Bon-bons. Date: Saturday, Feb.11. Coronado Performing Arts Center, 7:30 p.m. Info: www.rockfordsymphony.com, or call 815-965-0049 or visit the Box Office at Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St.

Wednesday, Feb. 1

Brother K Band – Adriatic Café, 327 W. Jefferson St. 7:30 p.m. $3. Info: 815-967-9939.

Vinyl Voodoo – Mary’s Place, 602 N. Madison St. 10:30 p.m. Free. Every Wed. Info: 815-962-7944.

Truman’s Ridge – The House Café, 263 E. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb. 7:30 p.m. Info: 815-787-9547.

The Sons of Many Bitches – Kryptonite Bar, 308 W. State St. 10 p.m. Info: 815-965-0931.

Karaoke with Mike – Rusty Nail, 1804 Eighth Ave. 7:30 p.m.-midnight. Every Wed. Free. Info: 815-397-2510.

Open Stage w/Jim Grass – Hope and Anchor, 5040 N. Second St., Loves Park. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Free. Info: 815-633-2552.

Thursday, Feb. 2

Blues Gone Wild Open Blues Jam hosted by the Howdos – The House Café, 263 E. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb. 7:30 p.m. Free. Info: 815-787-9547.

Open Mic – Katie’s Cup, 502 Seventh St. Info: 815-986-0628.

Open Mic – The Grove, 100 E. Grove St. 6 p.m. Free. Info: 815-765-1002.

Bike Night, DJ & Karaoke – Whiskey’s Roadhouse, 3207 N. Main St. Info: 815-877-8007.

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, Feb. 3

“Listening Room Fridays” – JustGoods, 201 Seventh St. 7 p.m. Weekly venue for composers, acoustic and classical performers, band players. This week: Jamie Kindleyside and Andrew Holm. Free-will donations go to Charlotte’s Web. Info: http//justgoods.info/ or 815-965-8903.

The Red Sea Pedestrians – Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center, 415 N. Church St. 7:30 p.m. Blend of Klezmer, Greek, Gypsy, Celtic, jazz and American music. $18 advance, $20 door. Info: 815-964-2238 or www.charlotteswebofrockford.org.

Winter White Jazz Night – Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Road. 6-10 p.m. Chicago jazz musicians pay tribute to some of the best. Fund-raiser for Keith Country Day School. Tickets: $25/person. Info: 815-399-8850, ext. 152.

Dirty Fishnet Stockings – Adriatic Café, 327 W. Jefferson St. Live recording. 9 p.m. Free. Info: 815-967-9939.

Mike Williamson & Rick Burns – Butterfly Club, 5246 E. County Road X, Beloit, Wis. 7 p.m. Info: 608-362-8577.

Superbob w/Brand New Sin & Six-hoursorrow – Bar 3, 326 E. State St. 9:30 p.m. $6. Info: 815-968-9061.

The Sensations feat. Holland Zander – Big Al’s Bar, 610 N. Bell School Road. 8:30 p.m. Free. Info: 815-398-6411.

Cover Story – Hope and Anchor, 5040 N. Second St., Loves Park. 7 p.m. Free. Info: 815-633-2552.

The Coop w/Brothers Rage, DJ Free Con – The House Café, 263 E. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb. 8 p.m. $8. Info: 815-787-9547.

The Lustkillers, Dick Slack & Official Lizzard Skynard Fanclub – Kryptonite Bar, 308 W. State St. 8 p.m. Info: 815-965-0931.

House Brotherhood: Kerry Atoms, DJ Loko, Nick G., DJ Mike Hawk – Mary’s Place, 602 N. Madison St. 9:30 p.m. Info: 815-962-7944.

Pablo & the Rhythmix Band – Mustang’s Bar & Grill, 482 Gardiner, South Beloit. 9 p.m. Free. Info: 779-475-0048.

The Hit Men – 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: 815-765-1002.

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: 815-544-5153.

DJ/Karaoke – Red’s Neighborhood Tavern, 129 N. State St., Belvidere. Info: 815-544-6677.

Saturday, Feb. 4

Steve Ditzell and Blue Lightning – Adriatic Café, 327 W. Jefferson St. 9 p.m. $3. Info: 815-967-9939.

Wyland w/Hollow Drive, Sand, Trip Effect & Case In Point – Bar 3, 326 E. State St. 8:30 p.m. $8. Info: 815-968-9061.

Mike Williamson & Rick Burns – Butterfly Club, 5246 E. County Road X, Beloit, Wis. 7 p.m. Info: 608-362-8577.

Grey Matter Mechanics – CJ’s Lounge, 300 E. State St. 9:30 p.m. $3. Info: 815-964-7457.

Radio Stars – Franchesco’s, 7128 Spring Creek Road. 9 p.m. Info: 815-229-0800.

Broken Arrow – Grant Park Tavern, 3015 Kishwaukee St. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Free. Info: 815-397-9819.

The Crunchy Frogs – Hope and Anchor, 5040 N. Second St., Loves Park. 9 p.m. Free. Info: 815-633-2552.

Early show: Kim Divine – The House Café, 263 E. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb. Early: 5 p.m. $5. Late show: Giant Rock ‘n’ Roll All Out Attack w/Supercush, Hasta Lumbago, The Phantom Scars, Davey Dynamite, Nobelium 102. 8 p.m. Info: 815-787-9547.

The Sensations feat. Holland Zander – Kryptonite Bar, 308 W. State St. 9:30 p.m. $5. Info: 815-965-0931.

Court Street Scrappers – Mary’s Place, 602 N. Madison St. 9:30 p.m. Info: 815-962-7944.

Helium Fuse w/Jenny Franck, Polarizer, Mind Shatter – Otto’s Niteclub & Underground, 118 E. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb. 8 p.m. $7. Info: 815-758-2715.

The Classix – Rascal’s Bar & Grill, 5223 Torque Road, Loves Park. 9 p.m. Info: 815-636-9207.

The Buzz – Splitter’s Bar & Grill, 5318 N. Second St., Loves Park. 9 p.m. Info: 815-877-6051.

Benefit for Ruthis – Whiskey’s Roadhouse, 3207 N. Main St. 2 p.m. Music and various artists; 9 p.m.: Smiley Virus, acoustic performance by Chad Foster & Todd Paluzzi, Shawn Unplugged, Sixhoursorrow, Forcefed Kaose, Black Damage. Info: 815-877-8007.

Open Mic – Take 20, 438 Bypass U.S. 20, Cherry Valley. 8 p.m. Info: 815-332-9920.

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, Feb. 5

Broken Arrow – Grant Park Tavern, 3015 Kishwaukee St. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Free. Info: 815-397-9819.

Spook Show Entertainment’s Monthly Movie and Mixed Media Night feat. 4Lizard Productions w/4Lizard Productions – The House Café, 263 E. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb. 6 p.m.-1 a.m. $5. Info: 815-787-9547.

Open Mic – Take 20, 438 Bypass U.S. 20, Cherry Valley. 8 p.m. Info: 815-332-9920.

Super Bowl Party – Whiskey’s Roadhouse, 3207 N. Main St. Free food, tons of giveaways, 25-cent wings, $5 pics. Info: 815-877-8007.

Monday, Feb. 6

Vinyl Voodoo – Mary’s Place, 602 N. Madison St. 10:30 p.m. Free. Info: 815-962-7944.

Open mic featured artist – The House Café, 263 E. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb. Info: 815-787-9547.

Tuesday, Feb. 7

Barb City Swing Connection – The House Café, 263 E. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb. 7 p.m. $5. Info: 815-787-9547.

Open Stage – Mary’s Place, 602 N. Madison St. 9:30 p.m. Info: 815-962-7944.

Karaoke – Kryptonite Music Lounge, 308 W. State St. Info: 815-965-0931.

Free Pool & Karaoke with Bob – Whiskey’s Roadhouse, 3207 N. Main St. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Info: 815-877-8007.

Rehearsal for Rockford Christian Fellowship Band – First Covenant Church, 316 Wood Road. 7-9 p.m.

Have your free listing in the Thursday preceding our Wednesday publication. Listings can be e-mailed to contact@rockrivertimes.com, faxed to 815-964-9825 or called in to 815-964-9767.

From the Feb. 1-7, 2012, issue

Rockford Dance Company will offer its modern adaptation of the classic story “Hansel and Gretel” at 2 and 4 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 28. (Image provided)

Staff Report

Rockford Dance Company (RDC) will present a modern adaptation of the classic story Hansel and Gretel at 2 and 4 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Sullivan Center, 118 N. Main St., Rockford.

Tickets, $10, can be purchased by calling (815) 963-3341.

Hansel and Gretel is RDC’s third production under the concept of children’s dance theater. The show will last 50 to 60 minutes and will provide accessible entertainment through storytelling dance.

Robert McKee has combined music by Engelbert Humperdinck, South German Philharmonic, Paul Barnes and Edvart Grieg with intense movement and an imaginative cast of characters. Hansel, Gretel and the witch are joined by the Wood Goddess, Gingerbread Guards and Angels.

McKee, a graduate of Point Park University and former company member of Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, has had an interest in teaching and choreography since a very young age. Influenced by percussive rhythms and dynamic shapes, he finds himself always inspired to create.

McKee is on faculty at the Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago, as well as teaches throughout the Chicago area. He has worked with The Giordano Project, McDonald Dance Academy, Barrington High School, Northshore School of Dance Performing Ensemble, Giordano Juniors, the Giordano on Giordano choreography showcase, Brookfield Riverside High School and Northern Illinois University.

RDC is a nonprofit pre-professional dance company. Established in 1981, the school of the RDC serves more than 600 students each year and provides a variety of dance classes year round to students ages 3 to senior citizen. The company’s offices and studios are inside Riverfront Museum Park, 711 N. Main St. Visit rockforddancecompany.com for more information.

From the Jan. 25-31, 2012, issue

Rodney Copperbottom

Staff Report

Rockford’s Discovery Center Museum will host “About Robots: The Interactive Exhibition” Jan. 28-April 29.

Based on the 20th Century Fox animated feature of the same name, Robots depicts a world populated entirely by mechanical beings, including genius inventor Rodney Copperbottom (pictured) and his friends, the Rusties, who seek to make the world a better place through innovation and determination.

The amazing characters from Robots will introduce visitors to the wonderful, real world of robotics — an exciting and ever-expanding field of science.

Robots are becoming more and more a part of our lives. The exhibition will teach visitors how that is happening and how they might become part of the excitement.

About Robots features more than 15 interactive areas offering scientific adventures that allow visitors to enter the world of robotics and explore the “reel and real” science of robotics.

In the area Robot Explorers, visitors can use a robotic probe to explore underwater, deep space or the surface of Mars.

Visitors can take a spin on the Crosstown Express, exploring robotic vehicles, both real and fictional.

Experience firsthand how robotic arms work and other Industrial Robots that have become an invaluable part of the workforce.

Robot Round Up explores robots in daily life, allowing visitors to use remotes to control various types of robots.

Visitors can even Build-a-Wonder-Bot that performs useful functions, such as helping with daily chores.

Guests will encounter the “movie star” robots C-3PO (Star Wars), Robby the Robot (Forbidden Planet) and Gort (The Day the Earth Stood Still). Also, get a glimpse of the future of robots that will re-shape our world.

Admission for the exhibit is $2 for Discovery Center members and $11 for the public. The price includes general museum admission.

Discovery Center Museum is inside Riverfront Museum Park, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, and can be reached at (815) 963-6769 or online at www.discoverycentermuseum.org.

From the Jan. 25-31, 2012, issue

Acoustic blues man Fruteland Jackson. (Photo provided)

Staff Report

Crossroads Blues Society is getting ready to celebrate its 100th Blues in the Schools (BITS) program. Their programs scheduled for Jan. 30 will be the 99th and 100th programs Crossroads has hosted since they began providing BITS programs for area schools in May 2002.

Who would be better than Fruteland Jackson to do these programs, especially since he did the first BITS program for them? Since that time, they have brought the blues to close to 30,000 students across northern Illinois.

Jan. 30 brings BITS to South Beloit, Ill., for their first visit to that school system. Riverview Elementary School will host the morning program. In the afternoon, it is back to Rockford and Martin Luther King Elementary School, which will host the 100th program.

Crossroads is proud of its efforts in helping to keep the blues alive in the Rockford area.

Funding for BITS in the past had come from the generous support of the Rockford Area Arts Council and Illinois Arts Council. Current funding comes from Crossroads’ annual Byron Crossroads Blues Festival, held the Saturday before Labor Day weekend in Byron, Ill.

Programs are held at no cost to the schools. Crossroads already has February programs scheduled for Keith School and Spring Creek Elementary School Feb. 22. More programs are being planned for the spring.

Fruteland is a singer and songwriter performing acoustic blues, from contemporary to traditional, from the blues of early field-holler songs and work songs to Delta and Piedmont Blues, as well as his own original works. Fruteland is one of a select group of Americans dedicated to gathering, preserving and performing acoustic blues in its many styles. Fruteland has performed at venues across the U.S., Europe and Russia.

BITS program costs have been maintained low and continue to average only $1 per student in attendance. Assembly attendance averages about 300 per school. Crossroads Blues Society is a nonprofit corporation staffed entirely by volunteers. They publish a bi-monthly newsletter of blues music reviews and articles in addition to their BITS work and running the annual blues festival in Byron. For more about Crossroads, visit http://crossroadsbluessociety.blogspot.com or call (779) 537-4006.

From the Jan. 25-31, 2012, issue

Obscura Antiques & Oddities, the focus of “Oddities” on Science Channel, is filled with items discovered at flea markets, auctions, antique shows, other collectors, anywhere and everywhere. (Image courtesy of http://dsc.discovery.com)

By Paula Hendrickson
Contributing Writer

One of the great things about cable TV is there is a place for virtually any kind of program you can imagine. Even on basic cable, there are plenty of captivating shows if you look hard enough.

A couple months ago, I spotted an interesting title in the electronic programming guide and decided to give it a shot. The show? Oddities, on Science Channel. (Science is part of the Discovery family.) It’s set in a small New York curiosity shop called Obscura Antiques & Oddities. Co-owners Evan Michelson and Mike Zohn and their buyer (and taxidermist) Ryan Matthew oversee an eclectic shop filled with quack medical devices, preserved specimens, even artworks made from belly button lint, fingernails and, in one case, microscopic views of dust samples taken from the shop.

The real fun of Oddities is seeing Evan, Mike and Ryan interacting with customers — some shopping for unique gifts, others trying to sell their own items (possessed ventriloquist dummy, anyone?), and occasionally performing unusual feats when negotiating a lower price. It’s also interesting to tag along when they’re hunting for specific items — like embalming equipment or side-show artifacts — for exacting clients. Less fun, for me, is watching Ryan working with skeletons and taxidermy pieces. The guy may be good at what he does, but it’s not for the faint of heart. (Speaking of hearts, they probably have a preserved heart or two in stock.)

What makes the show perfect for Science Channel is that the proprietors know historical and scientific facts about pretty much everything in the shop.

Meanwhile, on SyFy’s reality show Face Off, any cringe-inducing visions are pure artifice; contestants compete to create amazing, and perhaps occasionally gruesome, special effects make-up. They’ve turned models into sea creatures, re-imagine iconic movie characters, and pretty much blow viewers’ minds with what they can do with the tools of their trade.

As someone who has interviewed some of the industry’s top special effects make-up artists, I have some understanding of how much time, effort and artistry goes into this kind of work. On Face Off, contestants don’t have much time to design, craft and perfect their creations. Some artists thrive under the pressure, others crumble and some make lucky choices.

My sister-in-law really likes TruTV’s reality show, Lizard Lick Towing. The series follows real-life repo men (and woman) Ron and Amy Shirley and Bobby Brantley of the Lizard Lick Towing Company, located in Lizard Lick, N.C. While part of the business involves towing vehicles, they specialize in repossessing and recovering cars, trucks, boats, and construction equipment for banks and other lenders. They’ve even repo-ed an airplane or two.

When asked why she enjoys Lizard Lick Towing, my sister-in-law pointed to the drama between the Lizard Lick crew and the angry ex-owners they encounter. “It’s crazy that people will risk their lives and threaten another person’s life over a vehicle that they don’t own anymore!” she said.

Another thing viewers like about Ron and company is they have empathy for people who’ve lost their property after truly falling on hard times, so they never come across as heartless repo men.

If you run across a marathon of any of these shows, get comfy. You’ll probably get hooked.

Programming notes

Oddities airs Saturdays at 8 p.m. on Science Channel

Face Off airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. on Syfy.

Lizard Lick Towing airs Mondays at 9 p.m. on TruTV

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 tubetalking-paula@yahoo.com.

From the Jan. 25-31, 2012, issue

Staff Report

Sounds of Good News (SOGN) Productions has announced the release of their Young Eagles Success (YES) Club kids’ first DVD release.

The “Piece for PEACE” is titled Fight Right! and consists of four chapters including workshops, TV news clips and the actual music video featuring the Young Eagles Soaring Inspirational Choir.

This project was released at the group’s Sixth Annual Dr. King Day Celebration at Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center. Community leaders, educators and parents are encouraged to purchase DVDs for youth as a direct intervention for the building of character excellence in children. Businesses may desire to make a charitable contribution for “gift” copies to needy students.

The product is available online at the SOGN website music store at www.soundsofgoodnews.com. For more information, contact Dianna Cole at (815) 914-1487 or e-mail MsCSOGN@aol.com.

From the Jan. 25-31, 2012, issue

BYRON, Ill. — Mister Roberts, a World War II-era play, opens Jan. 27 at Byron Civic Theatre (BCT). Productions will be staged at the Byron Middle School Theatre, 850 N. Colfax St., Byron, Ill.

Performances are Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets ($12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $6 for students) can be purchased by calling the BCT Box Office at (815) 312-3000 from 6 to 9 p.m., Monday-Thursday, or 9 a.m.- noon, Saturday; by e-mailing tickets@bctmagic.com; or by visiting www.bctmagic.com. The show runs through Feb. 5.

Mister Roberts opened on Broadway at the Alvin Theatre Feb. 18, 1948, starring Henry Fonda, David Wayne and Robert Keith. Fonda got out of a Hollywood film contract to star in the Broadway theater stage production, and won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play. The play is based on a 1946 novel by Thomas Heggen.

The novel began as a collection of short stories about Heggen’s experiences aboard the USS Virgo (AKA-20) in the South Pacific during World War II. Broadway producer Leland Hayward acquired the rights for the play and hired Heggen and Joshua Logan for the adaptation. In 1955, Fonda again starred as Lt. Douglas Roberts and joined James Cagney, Jack Lemon and William Powell in the film version of the story.

The story takes place on an American Naval cargo ship, the USS Reluctant, during the waning days of World War II. The ship’s captain, Lt. Commander Morton (Steve Walters) is proud of his spotless record supplying the U.S. fleet. His command style is heavy-handed: he refuses to let the crew remove their shirts during hot days working in the cargo hold and has not granted his men “liberty” for at least two years, despite frequent requests by his executive officer, Lt. Douglas Roberts (Dirk Palmer).

Roberts has an excellent relationship with the crew, often bending the rules to allow them some leeway. For Morton’s reputation for timely handling of cargo, an impressed admiral gave him a palm tree, which he cherishes and keeps in a dirt-filled bucket near the ship’s bridge. However, the crew despises the tree and the captain himself, and it is widely known by the crew that Roberts, not Morton, is primarily responsible for the ship’s efficiency.

The remainder of the cast for Mister Roberts includes Orv Kersten, Dave Zumdahl, Chris Palmer, Sean Sweet, Ron Harvey, Jeff Mickey, Colton Thompson, Kevin Spieden, Brian Wygant, Grant Brooks, Norm Metz, Amy Mershon, Steve Raine and Stu Thompson.

From the Jan. 25-31, 2012, issue

Hard rockers Soulicit — who have shared main stages with Buckcherry, Fuel, Flaw, Anew Revolution, Pop Evil, Texas Hippie Coalition, Twisted Sister and Styx — will perform at Rockford’s Bar 3 Jan. 26. (Photo provided)

Staff Report

Hard rockers Soulicit will be joined by Anew Revolution, Anchored, Case In Point and Marquette at Rockford’s Bar 3, 326 E. State St., beginning at 8 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 26. Tickets are $10.

Hailing from the nation’s “Air Capital” of Wichita, Kan., Soulicit brings their own American hard rock to the stage. Composed of lead vocalist/guitarist Darick Parson, lead guitarist/vocalist Dan “The Danimal” Weaver, bassist/vocalist Andrew Weaver and drummer Trent Boehner, Soulicit boasts years of main stage experience.

Together since 2002, the band has gained praise from fans all over the world through their catchy songs and straightforward guitar-driven hard rock.

Sharing festival main stages with the likes of Buckcherry, Fuel, Flaw, Anew Revolution, Pop Evil, Texas Hippie Coalition, Twisted Sister and Styx, the Soulicit sound is on a national level.

In September 2011, Soulicit inked a deal with Thermal Entertainment based out of Greenville, S.C. The work began immediately as the band just wrapped up recording their first full-length label release titled Parking Lot Rockstar, produced by Brett Hestla (Dark New Day, Creed, Virgos Merlot).

2012 has Soulicit on the road in support of the new record and bringing them to cities across the country. In December 2011, the band announced their 2012 Winter tour with Anew Revolution and Anchored. This 22-date tour will take them all over the nation in support of their new release.

For more about the band, visit www.soulicitrock.com. Bar 3 can be reached at (815) 968-9061.

From the Jan. 25-31, 2012, issue

The comedy show at Franchesco’s Ristorante in Rockford will return at 9 p.m., Friday, Jan. 27.

Hosted by Rockford’s Sky Drysdale, the show will feature Dobie Maxwell, who has appeared on Comedy Central and CBS’s The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, along with fresh, up-tempo comedian Brian Hicks.

Cover charge is $5 and guests are encouraged to call (815) 229-0800 to reserve a table.

From the Jan. 25-31, 2012, issue

Rockford College will host an exhibition by Chicago-based artist and avid draftsman Don Colley Feb. 2-March 3 in the Art Gallery at Clark Arts Center.

An opening reception for the exhibition, which is titled “Rearviewed,” will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 2. A discussion with the artist will begin at 10 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 2, in the Printmaking Studio in the Clark Arts Center.

Colley reveals his awe-inspiring and mind-bending world in this exhibition of paintings, prints, ceramic tiles, personal sketchbooks and a compelling wall installation of drawings.

Lori Waxman, Chicago free-lance art critic, said the artist’s depiction of “… evil clowns, brawling boxcar hobos and flamboyant carnie types are intensely cinematic. They’re sinister and alluring, able to suggest entire storylines within a single drawing.”

The Art Gallery is open 3-6 p.m., Tuesday-Friday, and by appointment. Admission is free and open to the public. Clark Arts Center is accessible.

For more information, contact the Rockford College Box Office at (815) 226-4100. To learn more about Colley, visit http://buttnekkiddoodles.com/about-2/.

From the Jan. 25-31, 2012, issue

Christine Swanberg

By Christine Swanberg
Author and Poet

I am pleased to announce that the Wednesday Writers, a group I have been facilitating for several years, will have their debut public reading this month. The group has been honing and expanding their poetry writing skills and have become their own little tour de force with a range of styles and content sure to engage.

Barnes & Noble at CherryVale, 7200 Harrison Ave., will host the reading at 2 p.m., Feb. 25.

Wednesday Writers will include Alice Fox, Carol Fox, Valerie Jewell, Betsy Jenkins and Bill Zartman. Special appearance with David Gecic, Chicago publisher of Puddin’head Books. The event will end with a preview reading of my forthcoming book, The Alleluia Tree, with a formal event to follow in April (TBA).

Questions, phone Sherry Zabikow at (815) 332-3069.

From the Jan. 25-31, 2012, issue

Staff Report

WOODSTOCK, Ill. — Auditions for Woodstock Musical Theatre Company’s production of Annie Get Your Gun will be Sunday and Monday, Jan. 29-30.

Auditions for children ages 10-14 are from 6 to 7 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 29; auditions for adults ages 16 and older are from 7 to 9 p.m., Sunday and Monday, Jan. 29-30, at the Woodstock Opera House, stage door entrance. All adults and children will read from the script, sing and learn a short dance routine.

Eleven performances will run April 13-15, 20-22 and 27-29, and May 4-5. Shows will be at 8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 p.m., Sundays. Tech week begins Monday, April 9.

Artistic Director Roger Zawacki, Vocal Director Kevin Goss and Choreographer Angie Kells need a cast of 24. Auditionees will be asked to read from the script, sing 32 bars of an up-tempo song from a musical of their choice, and dance.

No appointment is necessary, no parts are precast and no fees are required. Cast members pay a refundable deposit of $25 for their script and supply their own make-up and shoes.

Rehearsals will be in Woodstock at the Opera House or SARA three to four evenings a week. Actors are scheduled only for the days they are needed to make best use of time.

Roles needed include nine women with age ranges of 17-60, 12 men with age ranges of 17-55, and three children will approximate ages of 10, 12 and 14 who must all sing and dance, have lines and solo parts in songs.

E-mail rogerzawacki@comcast.net or kathiecomella@juno.com, or visit www.woodstocktheatre.org for more details.

Woodstock Opera House is at 121 E. Van Buren St., Woodstock, Ill.

From the Jan. 25-31, 2012, issue

Staff Report

Internet Dating: What I Learned From Over 4000 Matches, a new book by R. Thomas Vosburgh of Rockford, has been released by RoseDog Books.

Internet dating is a relatively new phenomenon in our world, and the verdict is now being written on the effectiveness of it bringing people together for love, friendship, dating and marriage. This book is about that verdict — the good, the bad and the ugly. The author had a good opportunity to assess it, given that he had a total of 4,000 matches from several dating sites.

We have all heard success stories and wonder if it could happen for us. We have also heard the horror stories and fear that we, too, could be victims if we try Internet dating.

The Internet dating sites caution their members about the dangers of meeting someone they don’t know. Vosburgh provides one good way to meet matches that removes much of the danger.

One truly remarkable thing Vosburgh discovered after he experienced online dating was how much men and women are really alike. Women as well as men can find insights in this book that will help them when dating. In fact, it will help both men and women in ways that go far beyond dating.

Tom Vosburgh has survived many crises that would have broken a lesser man. In 1964, Vosburgh graduated from Northern Illinois University with a major in psychology. He was also a member of Psy Chi honorary society for psychology majors.

He has also been the host of a television show, pastor of the Polo United Methodist Church, and a stockbroker for EF Hutton, before he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome. Within 24 hours of being admitted to the hospital, he was paralyzed from the neck down. The next four months were spent in rehab. At the end of his stay, he was released.

In 2006, Vosburgh started his own firm, Vosburgh Consulting Services.

Internet Dating: What I Learned From Over 4000 Matches is an 84-page paperback with a retail price of $13. The ISBN is 978-1-4349-8837-9. It was published by RoseDog Books of Pittsburgh. For more information or to purchase a copy, visit the online bookstore at www.rosedogbookstore.com.

From the Jan. 25-31, 2012, issue

Rockford Art Museum – 711 N. Main St. Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., noon-5 p.m. Featuring: “The Chemistry of Color” thru April 22. Free for everyone every Tues. Now: Call for Entries to 72nd Rockford Midwestern Biennial. Juried Exhibition, deadline Feb. 1. Info: 815-968-2787.

Artists’ Ensemble – Rockford College Cheek Theatre, 5050 E. State St. Info: 815-903-2277 or www.artistsensemble.org.

Kortman Gallery – 107 N. Main St. Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Exhibiting now: “The Wright Inspiration: Art, Design, and the Laurent House.” Info: 815-968-0123.

David C. Olson Photography Studio – 7801 E. State St., inside Clock Tower Resort. Wildlife and nature imagery. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.-noon, Saturday. Free. Info: 815-873-1777.

Beth Ann Weis Salon & Spa – 4108 Morsay Drive, Rockford. Hours: Tues. & Fri., 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Thurs., noon-9 p.m.; Sat., 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Sun., Mon., Wed. Info: 815-387-2700.

Funktional Arts – 412 N. First St. Furniture & sculpture. Info: 815-969-7942.

Rockford Dance Company – Riverfront Museum Park, 711 N. Main St. Coming Jan. 28: Hansel and Gretel at Sullivan Center, 118 N. Main St., 2 and 4 p.m. Tickets: $10/person. Info: 815-815-963-3341.

Village Gallery – Stewart Square. Artists’ co-op. 45 artists. Open Wed.-Fri., 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Info: 815-963-ARTS.

Bonzi Productions Theatre Group – Family theater, plays, musicals. Info: 815-394-8987.

Wright Museum of Art – 700 College St., Beloit, Wis. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Tues.-Sun. Info: 608-363-2677.

Galena Artists’ Guild Gallery – 324 Spring St., Galena. Thurs.-Mon., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Info: 815-777-2870.

NIU Art Museum – Hall Case Galleries, 116 Altgeld Hall, DeKalb. Tues.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat., noon-4 p.m. Exhibiting Jan. 10-Feb. 25: New to the Collection. Selection of artwork recently donated to NIU. Free. Info: 815-753-1936.

Rockford College Art Gallery – Clark Arts Center, 5050 E. State St. 3-6 p.m., Tues.-Fri. Info: 815-226-4105.

Womanspace – Womanspace, 3333 Maria Linden Drive. Mon.-Thurs., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Info: 815-877-0118.

Beloit Fine Arts Incubator – 520 E. Grand Ave., Beloit, Wis. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Other hours by appointment. Exhibiting now: The Artists of L’Atelier thru Jan. 27. Info: 608-313-9083.

Monroe Arts Center – 1315 11th St., Monroe, Wis. Now exhibiting: Earth’s Canvas, group exhibit running thru Feb. 17. Info: 608-325-5700 or www.monroeartscenter.com.

ArtSpace West – 1426 N. Main St. Tues.-Fri., 3-8 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Info: 630-546-4727 or 815-988-1501.

Age Quake Theatre – Plays for and about those 55 and older performed in the greater Rockford area. Info: 815-398-8090.

Byron Civic Theatre – 850 N. Colfax, Byron. Playing Jan. 27-29 and Feb. 3-5: Mister Roberts. Info: 815-312-3000.

Cholke Photography & Fine Art Gallery – 2211 E. State St. Fri., 7:30-10 p.m.; Sat., 4:30-10 p.m.; Sun., 2-5 p.m. Free. Info: 815-226-9398.

The Fireside Theatre – Fort Atkinson, Wis. Now playing: Viva Vegas thru March 4. Info: 800-477-9505 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 now: 8th Annual Juried Exhibition, thru Feb. 3. Info: 815-235-9755.

DeKalb Area Women’s Center – 1021 State St., DeKalb. Fridays 7-9 p.m. Info: 815-758-1351.

Tom Littrell Design & Art Studio – 317 Market St., Rockford. Info: 815-519-5288.

Pec Playhouse Theatre – 314 Main St., Pecatonica.Info: 815-239-1210.

Timber Lake Playhouse – 8215 Black Oak Road, Mt. Carroll. Info: 815-244-2035.

Ingrid Dohm Studio Gallery – 839 N. Perryville Road. Appointments/Info: 815-519-6492.

Midtown Marketplace – 203 Seventh St. Info: 815-961-1269.

The Gallery At JustGoods – 201 Seventh St. Currently seeking local artist to present works in the Community/Art room. Info: 815-965-8903.

Charlotte Hackin Art Studio & Gallery – 6278 Brynwood Drive. Info: 815-639-1318.

Bliss Beads Studio & Gallery – 161 E. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb, Ill. Weekly classes in bead jewelry making, silversmithing and flamework glass. Now thru Feb. 4: Folded Copper. Regular hours: 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Mon.-Sat. Info: 815-517-0164.

Woodstock Musical Theatre Company – Woodstock Opera House,121 VanBuren St., Woodstock. Jan. 29 & 30: Auditions for Annie Get Your Gun. Info: 815-338-5300.

Northwestern Illinois Theater Coalition – Opening February 2012: The Cheddar Curtain. Info: 815-281-0138.

Rock Valley College – Estelle M. Black Library, Educational Resource Building, 3301 N. Mulford Road. Now thru Feb. 20: Exhibit of early Chinese ceramics from the Neolithic period, Han, Tang, Song, Jin and Liao dynasties. Mon.-Thurs., 8 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fridays, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturdays, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

Womanspace, Gallery 1 – 3333 Maria Linden Drive. Exhibit thru Feb. 23: “Realism or Not. Works by a group of artists in oil, acrylic, watercolor, glass, beadwork, pastel and mixed media. Info: 815-877-0118.

Wednesday, Jan. 25

NIU School of Art Faculty Exhibition – NIU Art Museum, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thru Feb. 25. Info: 815-753-1936.

The New Art Examiner, “Chicago’s Independent Voice of the Visual Arts,” 1973-2002 – NIU Art Museum, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thru March 10. Info: 815-753-1936.

Thursday, Jan. 26

Viva Vegas – The Fireside Theatre, Fort Atkinson, Wis. Info: 800-477-9505 or www.firesidetheatre.com.

Friday, Jan. 27

Mister Roberts – Byron Civic Theatre, 850 N. Colfax, Byron. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $12 adults, $10 seniors, $6 students. Info: 815-312-3000.

Saturday, Jan. 28

Hansel and Gretel – Sullivan Center, 118 N. Main St., 2 and 4 p.m. Presented by Rockford Dance Company. Tickets: $10/person. Info: 815-815-963-3341.

Mister Roberts – Byron Civic Theatre, 850 N. Colfax, Byron. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $12 adults, $10 seniors, $6 students. Info: 815-312-3000.

Sunday, Jan. 29

Auditions for Annie Get Your Gun – Woodstock Opera House, 121 Van Buren St., Woodstock. For children ages 10-14, 6-7 p.m.; adults ages 16 and older, 7-9 p.m. Performances in April and May. Info: 815-338-5300.

Mister Roberts – Byron Civic Theatre, 850 N. Colfax, Byron. 2 p.m. Tickets: $12 adults, $10 seniors, $6 students. Info: 815-312-3000.

Monday, Jan. 30

Auditions for Annie Get Your Gun – Woodstock Opera House, 121 Van Buren St., Woodstock. For children ages 10-14, 6-7 p.m.; adults ages 16 and up, 7-9 p.m. Performances in April and May. Info: 815-338-5300.

Tuesday, Jan. 31

New to the Collection – NIU Art Museum, Hall Case Galleries, 116 Altgeld Hall, DeKalb. Tues.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat., noon-4 p.m. Exhibiting Jan. 10-Feb. 25. Selection of artwork recently donated to NIU. Free. Info: 815-753-1936.

Have your free listing in the Thursday preceding our Wednesday publication. Listings can be e-mailed to contact@rockrivertimes.com, faxed to 815-964-9825 or called in to 815-964-9767.

From the Jan. 25-31, 2012, issue

Rockford Public Library Hours – Main Library open Tues.-Thurs., noon-8 p.m., Fri. & Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; East Branch open Mon.-Thurs., noon-8 p.m. & Fri.-Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Rock River and Montague branches open Tues.-Thurs., noon-8 p.m. & Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Rockton Centre Branch open Mon.-Thurs., noon-8 p.m. & Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Lewis Lemon Branch open Mon.-Fri., 2-6 p.m. All library locations closed Sundays.

Burpee Museum of Natural History – 737 N. Main St. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Exhibiting thru April 29, 2012: “Ice Age Mammals.” Admission: $8 adults, $7 children 3-17, free for children younger than 3 and members; additional fee for traveling exhibits. Info: 815-965-3433.

Discovery Center Museum – 711 N. Main St. Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $7 adults, $7 children. Opening Jan. 28: About Robots: The Interactive Exhibition thru April 29. Info: 815-963-6769.

Tinker Swiss Cottage – 411 Kent St. Tours 1, 2, 3 p.m., Tues.-Sun. Info: 815-964-2424.

Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden – 2715 S. Main St. Tues.-Sat., 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Closed Sundays and Mondays until April. Admission $6 adults, $3 seniors & students, children younger than 3 and Klehm members, free. Donation Day is now first Tuesday of each month. Admission free, donations of any amount welcome. Info: 815-965-8146.

Anderson Japanese Gardens – 318 Spring Creek Road. Open May 1-Oct. 31. Info: 815-229-9390.

Memorial Hall – 211 N. Main St. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon-Fri., or by appointment. Info: 815-969-1999.

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.

Rockford Park District Indoor Adult Golf Clinics – Indoor Sports Center, 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. Mondays, 12:30-1:20 p.m. or 1:30-2:20 p.m. Taught by PGA members and apprentices. Thru March 14. Info: 815-987-8800.

Camp Grant – 1004 Samuelson Road. 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Tues.-Sat. Restaurant on premises. Info: 815-395-0679.

Lewis Lemon Community Center – 1993 Mulberry St. Mon.-Fri., 5:30-11 p.m. Free. Info: 815-987-8800.

Ethnic Heritage Museum – 1129 S. Main St. Sun., 2-4 p.m. Admission $3 individual, $5 family. Info: 815-962-7402.

Pine Tree Pistol Club – Info about club & classes: 815-874-7399.

Graham-Ginestra House Museum – 1115 S. Main St. Sundays, 2-4 p.m. Info: 815-968-6044.

Midway Village – 6799 Guilford Road. Mon.-Sat., noon-4 p.m. Info: 815-397-9112.

Stone Quarry Recreation Park – 6845 N. German Church Road, Byron. Mon.-Fri., 4-8 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., noon-8 p.m. Info: 815-234-8900.

Health Classes/Seniors Meetings/Support Groups – OSF Saint Anthony Center for Health. Call for specific meetings/dates/info: 815-395-4505.

Support Groups/Youth Drop-in Hours – Diversity of Rockford, 117 S. Third St. Free. Weekly. Call for specific meetings/dates/info: 815-964-2639.

Alcoholics Anonymous – Call for locations/times/info: 815-227-4633 or 815-968-0333.

Narcotics Anonymous – Call for locations/times/info: 815-964-5959 or 888-656-7329.

Support for Retired Grievers – Zion Lutheran Church, 925 Fifth Ave. 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Every other Wed. Call for dates/info: 815-636-4750.

Overeaters Anonymous H.O.W. – Every Thursday at Byron Public Library, Route 2. 12-step study group — 5:30-6 p.m. Regular group meets 6-7:30 p.m. Info: 815-734-4662.

Rockford Public Library Used Book Shop – Rockford Public Library, 215 N. Wyman St. Mon.-Wed., noon-8 p.m.; Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Info: 815-965-7606.

Ken-Rock Community Center – 3218 11th St. Various activities throughout the year. Computer classes Mon. and Wed. from 9:30-11:30 a.m. beginning March 12 thru April 11. Class will meet two times per week for 5 weeks. Class size is limited. Pre-registration and $50 commitment deposit required prior to first class. Fee will be refunded after you complete the class. Register/ Info: 815-398-8864.

Womanspace – 3333 Maria Linden Drive. Yoga every Thursday, 9:30-10:45 a.m. $40/four classes or $12/class. Basic Hatha Yoga. Other activities throughout the year. Info: 815-877-0118.

Beckman Mill Park – 11600 S. County Road H, off Highway 81. Tours 1-4 p.m. Corn grinding demonstrations, see the blacksmith shop, creamery & visitor center. Info: 608-751-1551.

Heritage Farm Museum – 8059 N. River Road, Byron. Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. Info: 815-234-8535, ext. 217.

Poplar Grove Vintage Wings and Wheels Museum – 5151 Orth Road, Poplar Grove. Open weekdays 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Info: 815-547-3115.

Rock River Valley Blood Center – 419 N. Sixth St. Mon.-Thurs., 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; Fri., 6:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Info: 815-965-8751 or 866-889-9037.

Kishwaukee Valley A.B.A.T.E. Meeting – V.F.W., 2018 Windsor Road, Loves Park. Second Sunday of each month, 2 p.m. Info: 815-544-3088.

Open Doors – Court Street United Methodist Church Chapel, 215 N. Court St. 12:30-1 p.m. Every Wed. Enter north end. Info: 815-962-6061.

Historic Auto Attractions – 13825 Metric Drive, Roscoe. Tues.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Info: 815-389-9999.

Angelic Organics Learning Center – 1547 Rockton Road, Caledonia. Various classes & activities throughout the year. Info: 815-389-8455.

Byron Museum of History – 106 N. Union St., Byron. Tues.-Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Info: 815-234-5031.

The Bridge Center of Rockford – 4861 American Road. Games & classes for beginners through experts. Info: 815-873-9334.

Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off – Rock River Water Reclamation District, 3333 Kishwaukee St. Sat., 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sun., noon-4 p.m.

Club Round: A Clubhouse for Round People – 7120 Windsor Lake Pkwy., Suite 202, Loves Park. Various activities throughout the year. Info: 815-639-0312.

Rockton Township Historical Society Museum – Corner of Blackhawk Boulevard & Green Street, Rockton. Open for tours every Sat. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Info: 815-624-4830.

Singles 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. Info: 815-632-9880 or 815-563-4309 or 815-275-7179.

Having Trouble Hearing on the Phone? – Center for Sight & Hearing, 8038 Macintosh Lane. 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Mon.-Fri. Free amplified phone program. Must be Illinois resident and have standard phone service. Application/info: 815-332-6800.

Winnebago County Health Dept. Flu Vaccine Available – For flu clinic schedule, call 815-720-4264 or go to www.wchd.org.

Stretch & Belly Dance Combo Beginners’ Class – Club Round, 7120 Windsor Lake Parkway. 7:30-9 p.m. Classes every Mon., Wed. & Fri. Registration/info: 815-639-0312.

Adventure Club – Jarrett Center, Byron Forest Preserve District, 7993 N. River Road, Byron. 9-11 a.m. or 1-3 p.m. Ages 3-6. Info: 815-234-8535, ext. 200.

Intermediate Writing/Publishing Class – Meets every Mon. Call for information. Info: 224-343-0384.

Introduction to Card-Making/Stamping – Meets every Thurs. Call for information. Info: 224-343-0384.

Toddler Time – Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 2001 N. Alpine Road. 9:15-10:15 a.m. Every Mon. and Tues. Free. Info: 815-399-3171.

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.

Logan Museum of Anthropology – 700 College St., Beloit, Wis. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Tues.-Sun. Info: 608-363-2677.

Yoga Classes – Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 920 Third Ave., Rockford. Mondays, 6-7:15 p.m., six weeks consecutive, $45 or single classes, $10 each. Register/Info: 815-963-4815.

Jarrett Center – Byron Forest Preserve District, 7993 N. River Road, Byron. Info: 815-234-8535, ext. 200.

Lazy Dog Yoga Studio – 5428 Williams Drive, Roscoe. $10 per drop-in class or 6 classes for $50. Chair Yoga every Friday at noon, Kundalini Yoga every Saturday at 9 a.m. Info: 970-485-0249.

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.

Nominations sought for NLI George & Barbara Fell Award – Individuals with outstanding achievements in land conservation. Submit to Natural Land Institute, 815-964-6666 or www.NaturalLand.org. Deadline: Jan. 27.

Reservations for OSF St. Anthony 58th Annual Pink Ball – Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road. Date: Jan. 28, 6 p.m. Info/tickets: 815-395-5333.

Reservations for Garlic Dinner at Abreo – 515 E. State St. Date: Feb. 7, 5-9 p.m. Cost: $40/person (excluding tax & gratuity). Seating is limited. RSVP: 815-96-9463.

Registration for Ice Fishing – Byron Forest Preserve District, 7993 N. River Road. Date: Jan. 29. Meet at Jarrett Center at 7a.m., fish until 10 a.m. $5. For all ages, younger than 5 is free. Register by Jan. 27. Info: 815-234-8535, ext. 200.

Registration for Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University – Valley Evangelical Covenant Church, 103 S. Maple St. (Rt. 72 & Maple St.), Stillman Valley. Program starts Feb. 13 with 45-minute preview of program Sun., Jan. 29 at 12:30 p.m. Info: 815-645-8872.

Registration for Third Annual Stone Bridge Trail Marathon & 5K Races – Date: Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012, 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.

Do you need help? Gamblers Anonymous meets at 6 p.m. every Monday. Call Roger at 815-601-8894.

Wednesday, Jan. 25

Free Admission at Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens – 1354 N. Second St., Rockford. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Highlights: “Herbal Teas & Your Health” — 5-6 p.m. Shop at Garden Gate Gifts. Info: 815-987-8898.

26th Annual Snow Sculpting Competition – Sinnissippi Park, 1401 N. Second St. Eight teams from Illinois compete.

Public Meeting to Discuss Plan for Amateur Sports in Rockford Region – Rockford Park District Webbs Norman Center, Board Room, 401 S. Main St. 5:30 p.m. Copy of plan is available at www.reclaimingfirst.org.

DigiPhoto – Rockford Public Library, Main Library, second-floor computer room, 215 N. Wyman St. 2-4 p.m. Ages 16 and older. Bring camera with memory card, all cables and power cord or charger and instruction booklet, also USB drive to save pictures. Info: 815-965-7606.

Free EKG Screenings for High School Students – Belvidere Medical Center, 1700 Henry Luckow Lane. Appointments are scheduled every 15 minutes and begin at 5:30 p.m. Info: 815-968-4400, ext. 62894 or asammons@swedishamerican.org.

RU Ready to be an Entrepreneur? – Rock Valley College Technology Center, 3301 N. Mulford Road. Free. Sponsored by SCORE. Info: www.northernillinoisscore.org/workshop-ruready.html.

Babes and Books – Rockford Public Library, Main Library Little Theatre, 215 N. Wyman St. 11:15 a.m.-noon. Children younger than 2. Develop baby’s literacy & social skills through rhymes, stories, songs. Info: 815-965-7606.

YA Monthly Movies @ Main: Priest –Rockford Public Library, Main Library Auditorium, 215 N. Wyman St. Rated PG-13. Ages 12-19. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Info: 815-965-7606.

Online Job Search – Rockford Public Library, Main Library, second-floor computer room, 215 N. Wyman St. 6-8 pm. Ages 13 and older. Must be proficient with Internet Explorer. Info: 815-965-7606.

Diabetes Support Group – OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, St. Francis Room, 5666 E. State St. 6:30 p.m. Free. Info: 815-395-5159.

Sticky Note Creation Competition – Rockford Public Library, Main Library YA Zone, 215 N. Wyman St. 5-8 p.m. Ages 13-19. Build a video game character out of sticky notes. Info: 815-965-7606.

Weight Loss Orientation – OSF Saint Anthony Center for Health, rotates among three OSF locations. 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. every Wed. Info: 815-395-4505.

“Woman to Woman” Breast Cancer Support Group – OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, Cancer Care Library, 5666 E. State St. 9:30-10:30 a.m. Info: 815-227-2629.

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.

Comedy Night – Whiskey’s Roadhouse, 3207 N. Main St. Info: 815-877-8007.

Thursday, Jan. 26

Goodwill Hosts Ribbon Cutting Ceremony – Mission Services/Administration Building, 615 N. Longwood St. 9 a.m. Tours to be given following the event. Speakers: Einar Forsman, president of Rockford Chamber of Commerce, and Sam Schmitz, president of Goodwill Industries.

26th Annual Snow Sculpting Competition – Sinnissippi Park, 1401 N. Second St. Eight teams from Illinois compete.

Bundle Up! – Rockford Public Library, East Branch, 6685 E. State St. 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. All ages. Info: 815-965-7606.

Rockford Housing Authority Board of Commissioners Meeting – 223 S. Winnebago St. 4 p.m. Info: 815-489-8500.

QuickBooks Workshop – Rockford Public Library, East Branch, Friends of RPL Community Room, 6685 E. State St. 6-8 p.m. Ages 18 and older. Info: 815-965-7606.

Owl Prowl – Byron Forest Preserve District, 7993 N. River Road. 7 p.m. Take a night hike; meet at Jarrett Center. $2/person. Register by Jan. 25. Info: 815-234-8535, ext. 200.

Katie’s Choice Book Club – Katie’s Cup, 502 Seventh St. 10 a.m. Book: The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay. Info: 815-962-4279.

Look, Listen and Learn Storytime – Rockford Public Library, East Branch, 6685 E. State St. 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Ages 3-6 Info: 815-965-7606.

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.

Teen ‘Scape – Rockford Public Library, Rockton Centre Branch, 3112 N. Rockton Ave. 4-7 p.m. Ages 10-19. Play games on Wii or Playstation, surf the Internet, play board games. Info: 815-965-7606.

Made in America: Mammals – Byron Forest Preserve District, 7993 N. River Road. 5-7 p.m. Meet at Jarrett Center. All ages. Register by Dec. 21. Info: 815-234-8535, ext. 200.

Sunset Storytime – Rockford Public Library, Main Library Little Theatre, 215 N. Wyman St. 6:30–7:15 p.m. Ages 4-10. Info: 815-965-7606.

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.

Stories by the Fire – Rockford Public Library, Rock River Branch, 3128 11th St. 6:30-7:30 p.m. All ages. Info: 815-965-7606.

SOUNS for Infants – Rockford Public Library, East Branch Children’s Area, 6685 E. State St. 6-6:45 p.m. Ages younger than 2. Infant literacy building program. Info: 815-965-7606.

Open Mic – Katie’s Cup, 502 Seventh St. Free. Info: 815-986-0628.

Swing Dancing – St. Edward Church, 3004 11th St. 8-10:30 p.m. Every Thurs. Info: 815-914-7441.

Preschool Picnic Storytime – Rockford Public Library, Rockton Centre Branch, 3112 N. Rockton Ave. Noon-12:45 p.m. Ages 3-6. Bring a lunch. 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.

Support for Grief After Suicide – Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 4700 Augustana Drive. 7 p.m. Free. Every other Thurs. Call for schedule/info: 815-399-0202.

To the Beach! – Rockford Public Library, Rock River Branch, 3128 11th St. 4-4:45 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.

Unplugged Gamers Night – Rockford Public Library, Main Library, Young Adult Zone, 215 N. Wyman St. 5-7 p.m. Ages 13-19. Info: 815-965-7606.

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, Jan. 27

Comedy Night – Franchesco’s Ristorante, 2404 Perryville Road. 9 p.m. Hosted by Sky Drysdale, featuring Dobie Maxwell. $5 cover. Patrons can stop in early to receive 50 percent off appetizers. $2.50 Miller family bottles offered all night. Reserve: 815-229-0800.

71st Annual Winnebago Co. Soil & Water Conservation District Meeting & Awards Luncheon – Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden, 2715 S. Main St. Registration at 11 a.m., lunch at noon. Election of directors and awards ceremony. Silent auction. Tickets: $14, from SWCD directors, office, 4833 Owen Center Road, or day of meeting. Call 815-965-2392, ext. 3.

26th Annual Snow Sculpting Competition – Sinnissippi Park, 1401 N. Second St. Eight teams from Illinois compete.

Drop-In Storytime – Rockford Public Library, Main Library Little Theatre, 215 N. Wyman St. 10:30-11 a.m. All ages. Info: 815-965-7606.

Diabetes Support Group – OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, St. Francis Room, 5666 E. State St. 6:30 p.m. open discussion. Free. Info: 815-395-5159.

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.

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.

Saturday, Jan. 28

About Robots: The Interactive Exhibition – Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St. Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $7 adults, $7 children. Admission to exhibit, $2 for members, $11 for public; includes museum admission. Thru April 29. Info: 815-963-6769.

26th Annual Snow Sculpting Competition – Sinnissippi Park, 1401 N. Second St. Eight teams from Illinois compete.

OSF Saint Anthony Sibling Class – OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, 5666 E. State St. 10-11 a.m. Fee: $5/family. Registration is required. Info: 815-227-2695.

OSF Saint Anthony 58th Annual Pink Ball – Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road. 6 p.m. Info/tickets: 815-395-5333.

Volunteer with PAWS Open Houses – Four PAWS ReSale Boutique, 1414 N. Main St. and PETCO, 6305 E. State St., Forest Plaza. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Talk to representatives and find out how you can help. Info: 815-299-7297 or www.PAWSHS.org.

Winter Festival – Cherry Valley Public Library District, 755 E. State St., Cherry Valley. 1 p.m. Winter stories, games, crafts, sledding relay, snowball relay, scavenger hunt, snow science station, bird feeder creation, etc. Info: 815-332-5161.

Saturday Spectacular: Rob Erdmann – Magician Extraordinaire! – Rockford Public Library, Main Library Little Theatre, 215 N. Wyman St. 11-11:45 a.m. All ages. Info: 815-965-7606.

Aloha Winter Luau – Rockford Public Library, East Branch, Friends of RPL Community Room, 6685 E. State St. 3-4:30 p.m. All ages. Info: 815-965-7606.

Alpha Club Monthly Potluck – OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, Foundation Room, 5666 E. State St. 6 p.m. For widowed persons. Gentlemen bring drinks or snacks, ladies bring a dish to pass. Info: 815-633-9530.

Ethnic Heritage Museum Celebrates Black History Month – 1129 S. Main St. “A Salute to the Divine Nine” exhibit (Greek letter African-American fraternities and sororities), 2-4 p.m. Italian Dinner Buffet/Divine Nine showcase with Step Show, Burpee Center, Regents Hall, Rockford College, 6 p.m. Tickets: $35 adults, $15 students. Info: 815-962-7402.

Snowshoeing (with instruction) – Seth B. Atwood Park. Youth must be accompanied by an adult during the program. Pre-registration requested. Info: 815-874-7576.

Fourth Annual Groundhog Gala – Midwest Museum of Natural History, 425 W. State St., Sycamore. 6-9 p.m. Music, exhibitors, silent auction, open bar. Tickets: $30 each or two for $50. Info: 815-895-9777.

Public Tours of Coronado Performing Arts Center – Coronado PAC, 314 N. Main St. 7 p.m. $7. Reservations/Info: 815-968-0595.

Paranormal Evening at the Tinker Swiss Cottage – 411 S. Kent St., Rockford. 7-9 p.m. With presentation by author Stephen Osborne. Cost: $15. Info: 815-871-4239.

Family Skate – Carlson Arctic Ice Arena & Sapora Playworld, 4150 N. Perryville Road, Loves Park. 8 p.m. Info: 815-969-4069.

Adult Grief Support Group – Beloit Regional Hospice Office, 655 Third St., Suite 200, Beloit, Wis. 6-7:30 p.m. Info: 608-363-7421.

Kundalini Yoga – Lazy Dog Yoga Studio, 5428 Williams Drive, Roscoe. 7:30 a.m. Info: 970-485-0249.

Public Skating – Riverview Ice House, 324 N. Madison St. Info: 815-963-7465.

Public Skating – Carlson Arctic Ice Arena & Sapora Playworld, 4150 N. Perryville Road. Info: 815-969-4069.

Hockey: Rockford IceHogs vs. Milwaukee Admirals – BMO Harris Bank Center, 300 Elm St. 7 p.m. VIP (formerly Glass Level]: $27; Lower Level Sidelines: $23; Lower Level Endzone: $20’ Upper Level Sideline: $17; Upper Level Endzone; $14, Terrace Level: $8. Info: 815-968-5222.

Sunday, Jan. 29

Open House & Book Fair – St. Paul Lutheran School, 811 Locust St., Rockford. Noon-3 p.m. in the school gymnasium. Learn about 42 percent tuition reduction beginning next school year; enjoy activities. Art show of students’ work; 1:30 p.m. band concert. Info: 815-3335, ext. 215 or www.stpaulrockford.org/school.

Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University – Valley Evangelical Covenant Church, 103 S. Maple St. (Rt. 72 & Maple St.), Stillman Valley. Program starts Feb. 13 with 45-minute preview of program Sun., Jan. 29 at 12:30 p.m. Info: 815-645-8872.

About Robots: The Interactive Exhibition – Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St. Mon.-Sat., 1-4 p.m. $7 adults, $7 children. Admission to exhibit, $2 for members, $11 for public; includes museum admission. Thru April 29. Info: 815-963-6769.

Ethnic Heritage Museum Celebrates Black History Month – 1129 S. Main St. “A Salute to the Divine Nine” exhibit (Greek letter African-American fraternities and sororities), 2-5 p.m. Unveiling of exhibit & reception, 2-5 p.m. at the museum. Info: 815-962-7402.

An Afternoon with Mrs. Lincoln – Cherry Valley Public Library District, 755 E. State St., Cherry Valley. 2 p.m. Actress Laura F. Keyes shares Mrs. Lincoln’s story of life and losses. Free. Info: 815-332-5161.

CROP Hunger Walk Thank You Dessert Event – Christ United Methodist Church, 4509 Highcrest Road. 3 p.m. Presentation of check to Rockford Food Pantry Coalition; hear speaker Dawn Rourke, executive director of Midwest Region Church World Service. RSVP: 815-540-3703 or davidj6226@aol.com.

Art Workshop – Byron Forest Preserve District, 7993 N. River Road. Noon-4 p.m. Meet at Keller Center. For ages 6 and up. Cost: $10/person. Info: 815-234-8535, ext. 200.

Frosty and Friends Ice Skating – Carlson Ice Arena, 4150 N. Perryville Road. 2-4 p.m. Learn to Skate lessons, music by a live DJ, prize drawings. Admission includes skate rental, $5; free for ages 2 and younger. Info: 815-987-8800.

Monday, Jan. 30

Kids Club – Rockford Public Library, Lewis Lemon Branch, 1988 W. Jefferson St. 4:30-5:30 p.m. Ages 6-12. Info: 815-965-7606.

MS PowerPoint 2010 – Rockford Public Library, Rockton Centre Branch, 3112 N. Rockton Ave. 6-8 p.m. Ages 13 and older. Prerequisite: Proficient familiarity with computers. Info: 815-965-7606.

Infant/Toddler CPR – OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, St. Anthony and St. Joseph rooms, 5666 E. State St. 7-9 p.m. Cost: $12.50/person or free to those who attend “Baby 101” or Baby Express. Info: 815-227-2695.

Tuesday, Jan. 31

Alzheimer’s Association Educational Program – Rock River Area Branch, 93 S. Hennepin, Dixon. 1:30-3:30 p.m. Speaker Aubrie McShane, education specialist with Alzheimer’s Association, Central Illinois Chapter. Free and open to public, but registration by Jan. 30 is required. Info: 800-285-1100.

Family Story Hour – Rockford Public Library, Rock River Branch, 3128 11th St. 6:30-7:30 p.m. All ages. Info: 815-965-7606.

Sunset Storytime – Rockford Public Library, East Branch Children’s Area, 6685 E. State St. 6:30-7:15 p.m. Info: 815-965-7606.

Have your free listing in the Thursday preceding our Wednesday publication. Listings can be e-mailed to contact@rockrivertimes.com, faxed to 815-964-9825 or called in to 815-964-9767.

From the Jan. 25-31, 2012, issue

Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center 2012-2013 Concert Season – Subscription packages or single tickets available. Next concerts: Avalon String Quartet Concert Program 3 - “Sturm and Drang.” Date: Friday, Jan. 27. 7 p.m. $10/adults, $5/students.Young Musicians Series Recital: “The Harmony of Music.” Date: Jan. 28, 1:30 p.m. Free. Debussy, le magnifique. Date: Friday, March 2, 7:30 p.m. with pre-concert lecture by Michael Beert. Admission: $25 adults, $5 students; groups of 10 or more receive $5 off per ticket. Info: www.mendelssohnpac.org.

Rockford Symphony Orchestra Patrons: Single tickets are now on sale forComEd Classics Series. Next concert: Valentine Bon-bons. Date: Saturday, Feb.11. Coronado Performing Arts Center, 7:30 p.m. Info: www.rockfordsymphony.com, or call 815-965-0049 or visit the Box Office at Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St.

MAC Radio Live-2012 Showcase of Talent – Monroe High School Performing Arts Center, 1315 11th St., Monroe, Wis. Dates: Jan. 27, 28. 7:30 p.m. General admission: $10 adults, $5 students (18 and younger), tickets at box office. Info: 608-325-5700, 888-596-1249 or www.monroeartscenter.com.

Rockford Area Music Industry Youth Charity Jam Applications deadline and Recording Nominations deadline is Jan. 30. Info: 815-546-3021.

Wednesday, Jan. 25

“March Madness” Concert – United Methodist Church, Monroe, Wis. 12:15 p.m. Repeated at St. Victor Catholic Church, Monroe, Wis. 5:30 p.m. Marches written or transcribed for organ. Saint-Saens, Dubois, Grieg, Mendelssohn, and others. Free.

Brother K Band – Adriatic Club, 327 W. Jefferson St. 7:30 p.m. $3. Info: 815-967-9939.

Vinyl Voodoo – Mary’s Place, 602 N. Madison St. 10:30 p.m. Free. Every Wed. 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: 815-633-2552.

Thursday, Jan. 26

Anew Revolution w/Anchored, Soulicit, Case In Point, Marquette – Bar 3, 326 E. State St. 8 p.m. $10. Info: 815-968-9061.

Empires w/Adora, Gentlemen’s Guild & Jacob’s Cabin – The House Café, 263 E. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb. 8 p.m. $8. Info: 815-787-9547.

Jon Drake & The Shakes w/Chaperone, Aktar Aktar, Shiloh & Dave Green – Otto’s Niteclub & Underground, 118 E. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb. 8 p.m. $7, ages 21 and older. Info: 815-758-2715.

Open Mic – The Grove, 100 E. Grove St., Poplar Grove. 6 p.m. Free. Info: 815-765-1002.

Open Mic – Katie’s Cup, 502 Seventh St. Free. Info: 815-986-0628.

Bike Night, DJ & Karaoke – Whiskey’s Roadhouse, 3207 N. Main St. Info: 815-877-8007.

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, Jan. 27

“Listening Room Fridays” – JustGoods, 201 Seventh St. 7 p.m. Weekly venue for composers, acoustic and classical performers, band players. This week: Matt Flamm hosts Open Mic. Free-will donations go to Charlotte’s Web. Info: http//justgoods.info/ or 815-965-8903.

Avalon String Quartet Concert Program 3 - “Sturm and Drang” – Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center, 415 N. Church St. 7 p.m. $60 for whole series, single tickets, $10/adults, $5/students. Info: 815-964-9713 or www.mendelssohnpac.org.

MAC Radio Live-2012 Showcase of Talent – Monroe High School Performing Arts Center, 1315 11th St., Monroe, Wis. 7:30 p.m. General admission: $10 adults, $5 students (18 and younger), tickets available at box office. Info: 608-325-5700, 888-596-1249 or www.monroeartscenter.com.

Steve Ditzell – Adriatic Club, 327 W. Jefferson St. 9:30 p.m. $3. Info: 815-967-9939.

Mötley Crüde w/Sinister Fate – Bar 3, 326 E. State St. 9:30 p.m. Info: 815-968-9061.

Cash Box Kings – Big Al’s Bar, 610 N. Bell School Road. 8:30 p.m. Free. Info: 815-398-6411.

Jon Drake & The Shakes w/Ellis Sieberling – DC Cobb’s, 226 Main St., Woodstock, Ill. 10 p.m. $5, ages 21 and older. Info: 815-206-5580.

Harlan Jefferson – Hope and Anchor, 5040 N. Second St., Loves Park. 7 p.m. Free. Info: 815-633-2552.

Old Soul Company w/The Earnest Nellis Band, Relish, TBA – The House Café, 263 E. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb. 8 p.m. Info: 815-787-9547.

Daddy’s Got a New .45 (Sublime cover band] – Kryptonite Bar, 308 W. State St. 8 p.m. $5. Info: 815-965-0931.

Smiley Virus – Mary’s Place, 602 N. Madison St. 9:30 p.m. Info: 815-962-7944.

High Infidelity – Otto’s Niteclub & Underground, 118 E. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb. 9 p.m. $8/$5 ID. Info: 815-58-2715.

Stampede – Shooter’s Bar & Grill East, 7171 Cherryvale Blvd., Cherry Valley. 9 p.m. Info: 815-332-5229.

Karaoke – The Filling Station, 6259 11th St. Info: 815-874-5766.

Karaoke – The Grove, 100 E. Grove St., Poplar Grove. 9 p.m. Info: 815-765-1002.

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: 815-544-5153.

DJ/Karaoke – Red’s Neighborhood Tavern, 129 N. State St., Belvidere. Info: 815-544-6677.

Saturday, Jan. 28

Young Musicians Series Recital: “The Harmony of Music” – Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center, 415 N. Church St. 1:30 p.m. Free. Info: 815-964-9713.

MAC Radio Live-2012 Showcase of Talent – Monroe High School Performing Arts Center, 1315 11th St., Monroe, Wis. 7:30 p.m. General admission: $10 adults, $5 students (18 and younger), tickets available at box office. Info: 608-325-5700, 888-596-1249 or www.monroeartscenter.com.

The Crastinators – Adriatic Club, 327 W. Jefferson St. 9:30 p.m. $3. Info: 815-967-9939.

TraSH 80s – Bar 3, 326 E. State St. 9:30 p.m. $5. Info: 815-968-9061.

Missing Links – Big Al’s Bar, 610 N. Bell School Road. 8:30 p.m. Free. Info: 815-398-6411.

Pistol Pete – Grant Park Tavern, 3015 Kishwaukee St. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Free. Info: 815-397-9819.

Southern Charm – The Grove, 100 E. Grofe St., Poplar Grove. 9 p.m. Info: 815-765-1002.

Prime Time Live– Hope and Anchor, 5040 N. Second St., Loves Park. 9 p.m. Free. Info: 815-633-2552.

Saint Astro, Mitch Munns, Under the Willow, Steven Schultz & AJ Paredones – The House Café, 263 E. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb. 7 p.m. Info: 815-787-9547.

Empty Pockets Band w/Jesse Fox and Fox DeLuxe – Kryptonite Bar, 308 W. State St. 9 p.m. $5. Info: 815-965-0931.

Kelly Steward & The Restless Kind – Mary’s Place, 602 N. Madison St. 9:30 p.m. Info: 815-962-7944.

Gregory Hyde w/Jake Mack, Lucrezio & North of Eight – Otto’s Niteclub & Underground, 118 E. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb. 9 p.m. $7. Info: 815-758-2715.

X51 – Rascals Bar & Grill, 5223 Torque Road, Loves Park. 9 p.m. Info: 815-636-9207.

The Sensations feat. Holland Zander – Shooter’s Bar & Grill, 4007 E. State St. 9 p.m. Free. Info: 815-654-3900.

Bullet – Shooter’s Bar & Grill East, 7171 Cherryvale Blvd., Cherry Valley. 9 p.m. Info: 815-332-5229.

County Line – Splitters Bar & Grill, 5318 N. Second St., Loves Park. 9 p.m. Info: 815-877-6051.

Open Mic – Take 20, 438 Bypass U.S. 20, Cherry Valley. 8 p.m. Info: 815-332-9920.

Tripping Tarzan – Town Hall Lounge, 5624 N. Second St., Loves Park. 9 p.m. Free. Info: 815-636-9996.

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, Jan. 29

Margaret Dean in Organ Concert – St. Mark Lutheran Church, 675 N. Mulford Road. 7 p.m. Free-will offering. Info: 815-398-3587.

Helium Fuse w/Edge of Doubt, TBA – The House Café, 263 E. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb. 7 p.m. Info: 815-787-9547.

Open Mic – Take 20, 438 Bypass U.S. 20, Cherry Valley. 8 p.m. Info: 815-332-9920.

Karaoke with Bob – Whiskey’s Roadhouse, 3207 N. Main St. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Info: 815-877-8007.

Monday, Jan. 30

Blues In The Schools – Blackhawk Elementary School, South Beloit, morning. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School, Rockford, afternoon. Presented by Crossroads Blues Society with Fruteland Jackson.

Vinyl Voodoo – Mary’s Place, 602 N. Madison St. 10:30 p.m. Free. Info: 815-962-7944.

Free Pool & Monday Night Football – Whiskey’s Roadhouse, 3207 N. Main St. Info: 815-877-8007.

Open mic featured artist – The House Café, 263 E. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb. Info: 815-787-9547.

Tuesday, Jan. 31

Miles Nielsen Songwriters’ Night – Adriatic Club, 327 W. Jefferson St. 8 p.m. $5. Info: 815-967-9939.

Chicago Winter – The House Café, 263 E. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb. 7 p.m. Info: 815-787-9547.

Open Stage – Mary’s Place, 602 N. Madison St. 9:30 p.m. Info: 815-962-7944.

Karaoke – Kryptonite Music Lounge, 308 W. State St. Info: 815-965-0931.

Free Pool & Karaoke with Bob – Whiskey’s Roadhouse, 3207 N. Main St. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Info: 815-877-8007.

Have your free listing in the Thursday preceding our Wednesday publication. Listings can be e-mailed to contact@rockrivertimes.com, faxed to 815-964-9825 or called in to 815-964-9767.

From the Jan. 25-31, 2012, issue

Canadian stepdancer and fiddler April Verch is appearing in Rockford at Mendelssohn’s Emerson Auditorium Jan. 21 in support of her new album, "That’s How We Run." (Photo provided)

Staff Report

April Verch doesn’t just perform music, she exudes it! The internationally renowned Canadian fiddler, singer, songwriter and stepdancer has a passion for performing, and her goal is to touch the lives of those listening.

Charlotte’s Web for the Performing Arts will host her at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 21, at Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center, 415 N. Church St.

“The world is this amazing puzzle that we can’t fully understand, and music is the joy that pulls it all together and helps us make sense of it,” says Verch, with a dynamic excitement and confidence that validates her faith.

Multi-instrumentalist Dirk Powell says: “She’s so fluent in the language of music that she never needs to imitate. She hears the heart of it and lets that become part of her core. April’s just got that, man; she’s always speaking the language for real. She is a rare mix of all the technique and super-flashy things.”

Verch was born to flashy music, in Canada’s hard-working, hard-dancing Ottawa Valley. She was a local star at age 4, step dancing with her sister and winning awards at contests. She became the first woman in history to win both of Canada’s most prestigious fiddle championships, the Grand Masters and Canadian Open.

When Canada hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics, Verch represented her country’s music at the opening ceremonies.

Ottawa Valley music is a foot-stomping, open-minded fusion of Irish, Scottish, French, German and Polish influences, sprinkled with tangy spices of American country music. The twang of the banjo and the driving Franco-Celtic pulse of the fiddle are as ingrained in Verch as snowbound winters and Saturday dances.

“What makes the Ottawa Valley unique,” she says, “is that it’s melting-pot music. People there work hard, and when it was time to let loose, you went out and had fun together; you danced and played music.”

Verch is among the most in-demand performers in roots music today, both with her own crack three-piece band and Bowfire, with whom she occasionally tours.

The April Verch Band consists of Verch at the helm and world-class musicians Clay Ross on guitar and Cody Walters on upright-electric bass and banjo. They have toured across Canada, the U.S., the U.K., Europe, Australia and China. Together, they have established a reputation as consummate performers with boundless energy on stage that always thrills audiences.

Tickets are $18 in advance, $20 at the door. Advance tickets are available at: Rockford Area Arts Council, 713 E. State, (815) 963-6765; both Postal Shoppe locations: Edgebrook Center, (815) 397-7301 and 2205 S. Perryville, (815) 484-0940; JustGoods, 201 Seventh St., (815) 965-8903; Nikki’s Café, 604 Pleasant St., Beloit, Wis., (608) 207-3101; or by mail: send a check and SASE to P.O. Box 765, Rockford, IL 61105-0765. Indicate artist or performance date on check. Credit card payment accepted only at www.charlotteswebofrockford.org via PayPal. A $1 ticket processing fee is included. Print your receipt. Info: (815) 964-2238 or www.CharlottesWebofRockford.org.

From the Jan. 18-24, 2012, issue

The 26th Annual Illinois Snow Sculpting Competition is set for Jan. 25-28 at Sinnissippi Park, 1401 N. Second St., Rockford.

Eight teams from Illinois will compete, with the winner advancing to the 2012 National Championship in Lake Geneva, Wis. One exhibition team (the winner of last year’s Illinois Snow Sculpting Competition) will also carve a sculpture.

More than a dozen area high school teams will participate in the High School Division. The High School Division competition will run Jan. 26-28.

Sculpting will end at 10 a.m., Jan. 28, at which time judging will occur. The public is encouraged to cast their vote for People’s Choice Award between 8:30 and 11 a.m., Jan. 28. Winners will be announced that same day at the Illinois Snow Sculpting Awards Banquet at 1 p.m. in the Sinnissippi Park Maintenance Building.

Visitors have the option of either driving through the park to view the sculptures or parking outside of the park and walking.

The Illinois Snow Sculpting Competition is a free, family-friendly community winter event hosted by the Rockford Park District.

Many private and public groups cooperate to offer this event for the 50,000-plus spectators who will view the frozen works of art during the event and for many days following the competition. For more information, visit www.snowsculpting.org.

From the Jan. 18-24, 2012, issue

Rockford Art Museum (RAM) is in search of entries for the Rockford Midwestern Biennial. Deadline is Feb. 1.

The Rockford Midwestern, RAM’s 72nd juried biennial exhibition, is open to artists in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin. More than $3,500 in prizes will be awarded.

Entry forms can be downloaded at rockfordartmuseum.org. The exhibition will run May 18-Sept. 23, 2012.

RAM is inside Riverfront Museum Park, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, and can be reached at (815) 968-2787.

From the Jan. 18-24, 2012, issue

Tracy Doyle of Loves Park demonstrates a dog’s obedience and ability to answer hand signals oar visual commands following a screening of the film. (Photo by Jon McGinty)

By Jon McGinty
Free-lance Writer

Dog Jack, an independent film about a runaway slave and his dog who join the Union Army during the Civil War, was shown in Sycamore, Ill., Jan. 13-16. Encore screenings are scheduled for 5 p.m., Friday-Sunday, Jan. 20-22, at The Sycamore State Theater, 420 W. State St., Sycamore, Ill.

The movie, narrated by Louis Gossett Jr., was filmed partly in this area during the summer of 2005, using such locations as Midway Village Museum and the Apple River Fort at Elizabeth. Several local re-enactors were used as extras in the film, including Terry Dyer, Del and Phyllis Tedrick, and other members of Battery G re-enactment group.

“Jack” is played by Piglet, a 3-year-old deaf pitbull, owned and trained by Tracy Doyle of Loves Park. Doyle “rescued” Piglet from an animal shelter in Janesville, Wis., when the dog was only 8 weeks old, and began her obedience training at 6 months, using hand signals. Piglet has since become a certified therapy dog and visits patients in local hospitals and nursing homes. Doyle and her partner, Richard Zimmerman, own American Ragtime Company, in which they preserve and perform historical music from the ragtime era.

Dog Jack is scheduled for release by Screen Media films Jan. 31. It will be available on DVDs, Netflix and cable, in stores and online. Visit www.dogjackmovie.org.

From the Jan. 18-24, 2012, issue

Rockford’s Anderson Japanese Gardens will offer the rare opportunity to participate in a yukimi chakai, a traditional Japanese Snow Viewing Tea Ceremony, Saturday, Feb. 4.

The demonstration will be in Anderson Japanese Gardens’ 16th-century Sukiya-style Guest House.

Participants will gather in the Visitor Center, where they will enjoy a hot cup of genmaicha, roasted rice-flavored tea while viewing the picturesque beauty of the gardens below. Following this warm introduction, guests will be guided through the winter landscape to the Guest House.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, participants are invited back to the Visitor Center to view an extraordinary display of tea bowls and tea ceremony-related items, which will be available for purchase.

Kimiko Gunji, professor emeritus of Japanese Traditional Arts and Culture and the former director of Japan House at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, will be the host of this event.

The tea bowls are crafted by Jason Armour, one of her esteemed students. Armour’s goal is to help people “find beauty in plainness and tranquil simplicity through set naturalistic aesthetic values” — a concept derived from his interpretation of the Japanese concept of Wabi-Sabi.

Professor Gunji states: “As technology continually advances, human beings are so enraptured by its power and capability; however, through this captivation, they often succumb to surrendering the very element that makes them human: the use of their five senses. My concentration is to impart to those with whom I encounter through my teachings and my art, the significance of becoming a fine human being through the vitalization of the senses and the natural manifestation of one’s kokoro.” Kokoro can be translated into “mind, spirit and heart.”

Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony times will be 10:30-11:10 a.m., 11:30 a.m.-12:10 p.m., 1-1:40 p.m., and 2-2:40 p.m.

Cost to participate is $25 per person. Reservations are required. Space is limited to 15 participants for each of the Tea Ceremony times. For reservations or more information about the traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony, contact Julie Pastore by phone at (815) 229-9390, ext. 10, or by e-mailing jpastore@AndersonGardens.org.

Anderson Japanese Gardens is at 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, and can be reached at (815) 229-9390 or online at www.andersongardens.org.

From the Jan. 18-24, 2012, issue

To start the year off on a healthy note, Rockford’s Discovery Center is hosting “Get Moving: Playing with Food” from noon to 3 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 21. Discover your plate while you play with portions, dive into dairy, get goofy with grains, pick your proteins, vary your veggies, and flip for fruit.

Learn some great ways to get moving to keep your body healthy. The Winnebago County Health Department and the University of Illinois Extension Office will help you test your knowledge of “every day” and “sometimes” foods, make a placemat and participate in other fun hands-on activities.

Children will also learn how to measure ingredients and determine proper portion sizes with help from medical students at the University of Illinois College of Medicine.

Bean Sprouts — Hip and Healthy Kids Café will be hosting a cooking class for a limited number of children age 5 and older from 2 to 2:30 p.m. and from 2:30 to 3 p.m. Great Harvest will help you taste-test grains, and Midwest Dairy will teach you a few things about cheese and let you enjoy some “cheesy” samples.

No registration is required for this event, which is included with museum admission: $7 adults, $7 children ages 2-17.

The event is part of the Get Moving! Initiative in Rockford. GetMoving! is a local community initiative to facilitate active living and healthier eating through policy and environmental changes. To learn more about Get Moving!, visit www.getmovingnow.net.

Discovery Center Museum is a nonprofit science and children’s museum with more than 200 hands-on exhibits, planetarium, special area for children younger than 6, and an outdoor science park. The museum, inside Riverfront Museum Park at 711 N. Main St., can be reached at (815) 963-6769 or online at www.discoverycentermuseum.org.

From the Jan. 18-24, 2012, issue

As a prosecutor, I once found myself, both literally and figuratively, “down in the dumps.” The murder case I was handling had some solid physical evidence, except for one rather noticeable omission — the cops couldn’t find the corpse.

Acting on an informant’s tip, we dug up half the county landfill looking for the body, but came up with nothing better than some old tractor tires, squirrel carcasses and about 4 pounds of used condoms.

Of course, it was inevitable that the defense attorney would whine about this — “You can’t prove murder without a body, blah, blah, blah.” But I’d read the cases on corpus delicti and knew that dead bodies, while highly desirable, are not always an essential ingredient of the prosecution’s case. (I’ll admit, though, that I couldn’t resist watching the door during my final argument, in fear that the alleged decedent might come bursting into the courtroom, sporting a deep tan and explaining that she’d been on an extended vacation in the Bahamas and couldn’t understand what all the fuss was about; but, then, that only happens in old Alfred Hitchcock movies.)

In the end, it all worked out fine. The defendant was convicted and, for all I know, might still be in prison.

My purpose in relating these events is not to entertain you or to overwhelm you with my grasp of corpus delicti law. Rather, it is an explanation of how I came upon the idea of writing the comedy Waste MISmanagement, a play that is currently in the cooker and will be presented at Pec Playhouse Theatre for three weekends, Feb. 10-26.

In the play, Attorney J.B. Hornsby struggles to defend his pistol-packing client against a charge of murdering her stockbroker husband and ditching his body, nose down, in the local landfill. Unfortunately, she admits gleefully firing a few bullets into Hubby’s prized Jaguar before pushing it into the river — payback for his harsh words about her extracurricular love life.

When Hornsby tries to pin the killing on a mob loan shark and hit man, the tables turn, and the lawyer becomes the target. Mugsy, Hornsby’s ambitious secretary, goes undercover to nail the mobster, but the question of the client’s guilt or innocence remains a mystery.

Beulah (Judge Rosemary Collins), a wildly eccentric psychic, holds a séance and employs her mystical powers to bring about an astonishing conclusion that only a glue-sniffing psychotic at the height of his most deranged hallucinations could have envisioned.

The show is directed by Jamie Button of courtroom security fame and also an experienced actor who has appeared in countless local productions.

Tickets go on sale Jan. 20. Visit pecplayhousetheatre.org or call (815) 239-1210 for tickets and information. Pec Playhouse Theatre is at 314 Main St., Pecatonica, Ill.

From the Jan. 18-24, 2012, issue

Rockford’s Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden has moved its Donation Day to the first Tuesday of each month. Admission is free, and donations of any amount are encouraged on Donation Days. Klehm is a 155-acre “living musuem” filled with spectacular gardens and rare trees. Leashed, friendly dogs are welcome at the arboretum.

Klehm is at 2715 S. Main St., Rockford, and can be reached at (815) 965-8146. Visit www.klehm.org for more details.

From the Jan. 18-24, 2012, issue

FREEPORT, Ill. — Freeport Art Museum’s (FAM) 20th Annual Wine, Cheese & Chocolate Tasting is set for 6-9 p.m., Friday, Feb. 3, at the museum.

The event will feature a variety of fine wines, world-class cheeses and decadent chocolates. All guests will receive a commemorative wine glass. A silent auction featuring specialty wine, cheese and chocolate gifts will also be held.

More than 250 people attended last year’s event, raising $6,000 for the museum. Proceeds from the event support FAM’s mission to promote art and culture in Freeport and northwest Illinois. The museum supports artists, exhibitions and its collection through fund-raising, special gatherings and educational events.

Tickets for the event are $20 for members; $23 for non-members; and $25 at the door. New museum members receive one free ticket to the Wine, Cheese & Chocolate Tasting. If you are already a member, you will be eligible to receive two free tickets to the event simply by giving the gift of a family or sponsor level membership to a friend.

FAM is at 121 N. Harlem Ave., Freeport, Ill., and is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday-Friday, and noon-5 p.m., Saturday. Tours may be scheduled by calling (815) 235-9755. Admission is free, although donations are accepted.

From the Jan. 18-24, 2012, issue

Mike Mangione & The Union will perform with Gina Venier and Dave Tamkin at the House Café, 263 E. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb, Ill., beginning at 6 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 22.

This past year, Mike Mangione & The Union have been busy globetrotting across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Philippines and Europe. They are now looking forward to releasing their latest album, produced by the venerable bluesman, folkie and Grammy-nominated producer Bo Ramsey (Lucinda Williams, Greg Brown, Pieta Brown), later this year.

Meantime, Mangione & The Union will land at the House Café Jan. 22, sharing the bill with their good friend, Dave Tamkin. Gina Venier, a local favorite, is also playing.

Mike Mangione & The Union is a touring group that combines a folk-rock sound with an orchestrated string section, soulful vocals and literate sensibility. The band’s debut album, Tenebrae, received favorable press from all corners of the country, including the honor of being an All Music Guide Album Pick, while Blurt refers to their “tearstained folk, Memphis-styled gospel and bluesy-flavored pop” as “luminous.”

In 2011, Mike Mangione & The Union released Offering on their own imprint, RODZINKA Records, with sync and digital licensing by DUALTONE Records. The album and band were nominated for “best of the year” by RadioMilwaukee (88.9 FM), along with receiving other kind and warm accolades.

The House Café can be reached at (815) 787-9547 or online at www.thehousecafe.net. For more about Mike Mangione & The Union, visit http://www.mikemangione.com/.

From the Jan. 18-24, 2012, issue

Staff Report

BELOIT, Wis. — Beloit International Film Festival (BIFF) has announced the new Student Filmmaker Showcase as part of the 2012 BIFF schedule.

Presented in partnership with the Beloit Public Library, this is a unique and highly rewarding new film challenge for young adults, the results of which will be screened on the Saturday of BIFF (Feb. 18) at Beloit Public Library.

The program is for middle and high school students, grades sixth through 12th. Entries can be of any genre, must be between 3 and 5 minutes long, and will be created by the students themselves. Guidelines and submission forms, along with helpful links for filmmakers, can be found on the BIFF Student Filmmaker showcase website: http://beloitfilmfest.org/student-filmmaker-showcase/.

A day of preparation will be held at the library from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 21. This will give students the opportunity to bring in their projects for feedback or help with technical issues in the filmmaking process. Experts will be available to the students during this time to answer technical and creative questions that may have arisen during their filming.

Teens have started getting involved, and in the words of director of educational programming, Melissa Hawks: “Students are already coming up with wonderfully creative ideas. They seem to be inspired by this program, and I’ve heard them planning everything from a claymation short in the tradition of Wallace and Gromit, to an educational film on how to survive a zombie apocalypse. They’re dreaming big, which is the true purpose of this program.”

The grand prize winner will receive an award at the annual Launch and Laurels party Thursday, Feb. 16, at the Eclipse Center. Other awards will be handed out at the screening of these films Saturday, Feb. 18, at the Student Filmmaker Showcase, which will be held at the Beloit Public Library, 605 Eclipse Blvd., Beloit, Wis.

From the Jan. 18-24, 2012, issue

Jon Drake & The Shakes will perform with special guests Chaperone and Dave Green beginning at 8 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 26, at Otto’s Niteclub & Underground, 118 E. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb, Ill. Cover is $7.

Equipped with 13 songs and a pittance of a recording budget, Jon Drake & The Shakes set out to record an album that would represent two years of hard work as a band. They started by trekking to a small cottage with no running water in Galena, Ill., in the middle of winter. There, they set out to record bass, drums, guitars and organ.

“We didn’t want to make another smooth and uber-polished recording,” Drake said. “There are enough of those. We set out to record something that sounds organic without sacrificing quality. The quality comes from the performances on the record.”

The rest of the instruments, which include violin, cello, trumpet, trombone and all eight voices, were recorded in a small studio in Chicago’s South Loop over the next several months. The result is Dear Ulysses, an 11-song album whose songs speak for themselves. Check out the lead single, “Charlie,” here: http://jondrakeandtheshakes.bandcamp.com/track/charlie.

In addition to the DeKalb show, Jon Drake & The Shakes will be performing in Woodstock, Ill., the following night, Friday, Jan. 27, at DC Cobb’s, 226 Main St. The band will be joined by special guest Ellis Seiberling. The Woodstock show will start at 10 p.m. and has a $5 cover.

Visit http://ottosdekalb.com/ for more about Otto’s and http://www.dccobbs.net/ for more about DC Cobb’s.

From the Jan. 18-24, 2012, issue

BELOIT, Wis. — The Beloit Janesville Symphony Orchestra continues its “Season of Fire and Elegance” with the debut performance of the Beloit Janesville Symphony Orchestra French Horn Quartet.

The performance, Allegro II: “A Brief History of Horn,” is set for 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 21, at Beloit College’s Eaton Chapel, 700 College St., Beloit, Wis.

Led by horn player John Wunderlin, the quartet seeks to introduce the history of the horn to audiences in a fun and informative way. A slideshow presentation will be interspersed with some of the most beautiful chamber works in the repertoire of classical music.

At the conclusion of the performance, the quartet will present an “Instrumental Petting Zoo.”

Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for students with a valid student ID. For those with a season subscription to the symphony, additional adult tickets are $10.

For ticket and season subscription information, call (608) 313-1200 or visit www.BeloitJanesvilleSymphony.org.

From the Jan. 18-24, 2012, issue

Christine Swanberg

By Christine Swanberg
Author and Poet

The new year often means resolutions or a new way of looking at life. Sometimes we look over the year to see what we may have learned. We try to discern better ways of thinking and spending our time. Sometimes, the lessons are bittersweet. Sometimes, insights are incisive. As we get older, our insights include a lifetime of observations.

About Time

Perhaps some wisdom resides

in your limitations.

If you want to be authentic,

be careful not to trade

one tribe for another. Cancer

isn’t caused by bad thoughts.

Don’t confuse pity with love

or you might spend

your life with the wrong people.

The number of calls

you receive on your cell phone

is not the measure

of your importance. Technology

is a tool, not a destination.

Jealousy serves no purpose.

Note the lousy within it.

If you don’t cultivate solitude

or court silence as a friend,

you may end up lonely

in a room full of noise.

If you haven’t seen the stars

in a while, it’s about time.

Christine Swanberg is a local author and poet. Her books include Who Walks Among the Trees with Charity (Wind Publishing, Kentucky), The Red Lacquer Room (Chiron Publishing, Kansas), The Tenderness of Memory (Plainview Press, Texas) and Slow Miracle (Lakeshore Publishing, Illinois).

From the Jan. 18-24, 2012, issue

By Ellen Larson
College Student

They are everywhere. What began as an attempt to cure disease in Argentina has grown to be the talk of the fashion world. They are seen on the feet of men, women, children, celebrities and even brides. They are worn by people in countries all over the world who can’t afford to purchase footwear for themselves. These are TOMS shoes, and their influence and popularity are far from over.

Blake Mycoskie, a 38-year-old native of Arlington, Texas, has always had a passion for adventure. While competing in The Amazing Race, Mycoskie and his sister visited Argentina. In January 2006, he decided to revisit the country for a vacation away from his current online driver education company.

While in Argentina, Mycoskie geared up for a game of rugby only to discover the field was located next to a poor village where children struggled to survive without most necessities. Mycoskie began to observe the situation and noticed there was a shoe drive taking place in attempts to supply the bare-footed children with shoes. Curious, Mycoskie began to get involved and befriended some of the village children, which grew in him a desire to make a difference in their difficult lives.

“I was sitting on a farm pondering life, and it occurred to me, ‘I’m going to start a shoe company, and for every pair that we sell, I’ll give a pair to someone who needs them,’” Mycoskie said of his initial idea for TOMS.

Many people do not realize the serious health risks that come from not wearing shoes. Mycoskie cites podoconiosis, or “mossy foot,” as the main health concern that can easily be prevented by simply wearing shoes. Podoconiosis is a debilitating disease caused by walking in silica-rich soil and affects the lymphatic system of the lower legs, causing one’s feet to swell.

In an interview with Rugby Ralph Lauren, Mycoskie remembers several people he met who were affected by podoconiosis, specifically a woman from Ethiopia.

“Her feet were the size of elephant’s feet, and she was ostracized from her community. She was so depressed that she was considering suicide,” Mycoskie explained. “Last year, she fell in love and got married — all because she sought treatment and began wearing shoes.”

Apart from diseases contracted through soil, not wearing shoes in general can make the feet extra susceptible to cuts and sores. These injuries are not only painful, but can also become dangerous if infected. Also, wearing shoes is typically a dress code requirement for children to attend school. In poor countries where shoes are not plentiful, some children are missing out on an education, which can drastically alter their futures and prevent them from living up to their potential.

Mycoskie emphasizes the chief aim of TOMS is to not only provide shoes to those who need them, but also to educate everyone about the importance of wearing shoes.

Mycoskie returned to Los Angeles after his trip to Argentina with 200 pairs of shoes in his duffel bag and the idea for a new for-profit company, TOMS Shoes. From these ideas, Mycoskie birthed the One-for-One Movement in which every time someone purchased a pair of shoes, a pair would be given to children in need of them

Since its creation, TOMS has rapidly grown in popularity and increased its area of impact beyond Argentina. During his first trip back to Argentina in 2006, Mycoskie and his team distributed 10,000 pairs of shoes. In 2007, the number climbed to 50,000, and in 2009, TOMS had donated 140,000 pairs of shoes to children in Argentina, Ethiopia, South Africa and the United States.

According to the official TOMS website, as of September 2010, TOMS has given more than 1 million pairs of shoes to children in need in 20 countries around the world. In the future, Mycoskie hopes to partner with other companies and expand this movement by including other things such as housing, water and schoolbooks so people can purchase what they need and, at the same time, provide for those in need.

The growth of distribution goes hand-in-hand with an immense growth of shoe sales. What began as the everyday footwear in small villages have drastically expanded and are now sold in more than 500 stores nationwide and internationally, including Nordstrom and Whole Foods. TOMS has recently partnered with Disney to create a special line inspired by “It’s a Small World” for infants and toddlers, and Element Skateboard to produce skate shoes, skate decks and longboards. Additionally, TOMS partnered with Ralph Lauren and sold co-branded Polo Rugby TOMS, donating a pair for every pair sold.

Because the majority of their popularity lies in the younger generation, TOMS is active in encouraging college students in particular to become involved in making a change in their communities. The TOMS website says they believe the most original ideas come from the freshest minds, and for that reason, college involvement is of utmost importance to them. They emphasize that college graduation is not a prerequisite for making a mark on the world that is desperately in need of change.

Mycoskie released his first book, titled Start Something That Matters, Sept. 6, 2011. The goal of this book is to challenge people to make a difference in whatever their area of influence may be. The book also focuses on the importance of simplicity in every area of life.

“People are addicted to stuff,” said Mycoskie in an interview. “They think they can’t live without it. But intellectually, they also understand how not having a lot of stuff to keep, and take care of, lets you lead a more free life.”

Mycoskie is not the only one making plans for the future. Millions of people continue to be inspired by his story and are volunteering with TOMS and other organizations, or are simply purchasing a pair of TOMS shoes. One man’s participation in the race of a lifetime led him to a country that gave him a lifelong passion and project. For Mycoskie, TOMS gives him, as well as millions of others, the opportunity to live out his favorite quote from Gandhi: “Be the change you want to see in the world.”

From the Jan. 18-24, 2012, issue

Rockford Art Museum – 711 N. Main St. Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., noon-5 p.m. Featuring: “The Chemistry of Color” thru April 22. Free for everyone every Tues. Now: Call for Entries to 72nd Rockford Midwestern Biennial. Juried Exhibition, deadline Feb. 1, 2012. Info: 815-968-2787.

Artists’ Ensemble – Rockford College Cheek Theatre, 5050 E. State St. Info: 815-903-2277 or www.artistsensemble.org.

Kortman Gallery – 107 N. Main St. Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Exhibiting now: “The Wright Inspiration: Art, Design, and the Laurent House.” Info: 815-968-0123.

David C. Olson Photography Studio – 7801 E. State St., inside Clock Tower Resort. Wildlife and nature imagery. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.-noon, Saturday. Free. Info: 815-873-1777.

Funktional Arts – 412 N. First St. Furniture & sculpture. Info: 815-969-7942.

Rockford Dance Company – Riverfront Museum Park, 711 N. Main St. Coming Jan. 28: Hansel and Gretel at Sullivan Center, 118 N. Main St., 2 and 4 p.m. Tickets: $10/person. Info: 815-815-963-3341.

Village Gallery – Stewart Square. Artists’ co-op. 45 artists. Open Wed.-Fri., 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Info: 815-963-ARTS.

Bonzi Productions Theatre Group – Family theater, plays, musicals. Info: 815-394-8987.

Wright Museum of Art – 700 College St., Beloit, Wis. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Tues.-Sun. Info: 608-363-2677.

Galena Artists’ Guild Gallery – 324 Spring St., Galena. Thurs.-Mon., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Info: 815-777-2870.

NIU Art Museum – Hall Case Galleries, 116 Altgeld Hall, DeKalb. Tues.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat., noon-4 p.m. Exhibiting Jan. 10-Feb. 25: New to the Collection. Selection of artwork recently donated to NIU. Free. Info: 815-753-1936.

Rockford College Art Gallery – Clark Arts Center, 5050 E. State St. 3-6 p.m., Tues.-Fri. Info: 815-226-4105.

Womanspace – Womanspace, 3333 Maria Linden Drive. Mon.-Thurs., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Info: 815-877-0118.

Beloit Fine Arts Incubator – 520 E. Grand Ave., Beloit, Wis. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-2 p.m.Other hours by appointment. Exhibiting now: The Artists of L’Atelier thru Jan. 27. Info: 608-313-9083.

Monroe Arts Center – 1315 11th St., Monroe, Wis. Now exhibiting: Earth’s Canvas, group exhibit running thru Feb. 17. Info: 608-325-5700 or www.monroeartscenter.com.

ArtSpace West – 1426 N. Main St. Tues.-Fri., 3-8 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Info: 630-546-4727 or 815-988-1501.

Age Quake Theatre – Plays for and about those 55 and older performed in the greater Rockford area. Info: 815-398-8090.

Byron Civic Theatre – 850 N. Colfax, Byron. Coming Jan. 27-29 and Feb. 3-5: Mister Roberts. Hours: 6-9 p.m., Mon.-Thurs. and 9 a.m.-noon, Sat. Info: 815-312-3000

Cholke Photography & Fine Art Gallery – 2211 E. State St. Fri., 7:30-10 p.m.; Sat., 4:30-10 p.m.; Sun., 2-5 p.m. Free. Info: 815-226-9398.

The Fireside Theatre – Fort Atkinson, Wis. Now playing: Viva Vegas thru March 4. Info: 800-477-9505 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 now: 8th Annual Juried Exhibition, thru Feb. 3, 2012. Info: 815-235-9755.

DeKalb Area Women’s Center – 1021 State St., DeKalb. Fridays 7-9 p.m. Info: 815-758-1351.

Tom Littrell Design & Art Studio – 317 Market St., Rockford. Info: 815-519-5288.

Pec Playhouse Theatre – 314 Main St., Pecatonica.Info: 815-239-1210.

Timber Lake Playhouse – 8215 Black Oak Road, Mt. Carroll. Info: 815-244-2035.

Ingrid Dohm Studio Gallery – 839 N. Perryville Road. Appointments/Info: 815-519-6492.

Midtown Marketplace – 203 Seventh St. Info: 815-961-1269.

The Gallery At JustGoods – 201 Seventh St. Currently seeking local artist to present works in the Community/Art room. Info: 815-965-8903.

Charlotte Hackin Art Studio & Gallery – 6278 Brynwood Drive. Info: 815-639-1318.

Bliss Beads Studio & Gallery – 161 E. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb, Ill. Weekly classes in bead jewelry making, silversmithing and flamework glass. Now thru Feb. 4: Folded Copper. Regular hours: 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Mon.-Sat. Info: 815-517-0164.

Woodstock Musical Theatre Company – Woodstock Opera House,121 VanBuren St., Woodstock. Info: 815-338-5300.

Northwestern Illinois Theater Coalition – Opening February 2012: The Cheddar Curtain. Info: 815-281-0138.

Rock Valley College – Estelle M. Black Library, Educational Resource Building, 3301 N. Mulford Road. Now thru Feb. 20: Exhibit of early Chinese ceramics from the Neolithic period, Han, Tang, Song, Jin and Liao dynasties. Mon.-Thurs., 8 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fridays, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturdays, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

Womanspace, Gallery 1 – 3333 Maria Linden Drive. Exhibit thru Feb. 23: “Realism or Not.” Works by a group of artists in oil, acrylic, watercolor, glass, beadwork, pastel and mixed media. Info: 815-877-0118.

Wednesday, Jan. 18

The Artists of L’Atelier – Beloit Fine Arts Incubator, 520 E. Grand Ave., Beloit, Wis. Featuring six local artists, thru Jan. 27. Hours: Mon.-Fri.,10 a.m.-2 p.m. or by appointment. Info: 608-313-9083.

Earth’s Canvas – Monroe Arts Center, 1315 11th St., Monroe, Wis. Group artist exhibit, thru Feb. 17. Paintings, sculptures, natural materials. Info: 608-325-5700 or www.monroeartscenter.com.

NIU School of Art Faculty Exhibition – NIU Art Museum, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thru Feb. 25. Info: 815-753-1936.

The New Art Examiner, “Chicago’s Independent Voice of the Visual Arts,” 1973-2002 – NIU Art Museum, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thru March 10. Info: 815-753-1936.

Thursday, Jan. 19

Viva Vegas – The Fireside Theatre, Fort Atkinson, Wis. Info: 800-477-9505 or www.firesidetheatre.com.

The Artists of L’Atelier – Beloit Fine Arts Incubator, 520 E. Grand Ave., Beloit, Wis. Featuring six local artists, thru Jan. 27. Hours: Mon.-Fri.,10 a.m.-2 p.m. or by appointment. Info: 608-313-9083.

Earth’s Canvas – Monroe Arts Center, 1315 11th St., Monroe, Wis. Group artist exhibit, thru Feb. 17. Paintings, sculptures, natural materials. Info: 608-325-5700 or www.monroeartscenter.com.

Friday, Jan. 20

The Artists of L’Atelier – Beloit Fine Arts Incubator, 520 E. Grand Ave., Beloit, Wis. Featuring six local artists, thru Jan. 27. Hours: Mon.-Fri.,10 a.m.-2 p.m. or by appointment. Info: 608-313-9083.

Earth’s Canvas – Monroe Arts Center, 1315 11th St., Monroe, Wis. Group artist exhibit, thru Feb. 17. Paintings, sculptures, natural materials. Info: 608-325-5700 or www.monroeartscenter.com.

Folded Copper – Bliss Beads Studio & Gallery, 161 E. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb, Ill. Exhibit by Steve Mitchell made up of large-scale copper triptychs, thru Feb. 4. Regular hours: 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Mon.-Sat. Info: 815-517-0164.

Realism or Not – Womanspace, Gallery 1, 3333 Maria Linden Drive. Opening reception, 5:30-8 p.m. Featuring works in oil, acrylic, watercolor, glass beadwork, pastel & mixed media. Info: 815-877-0118.

Saturday, Jan. 21

The Wizard of Oz – Belvidere High School, 1500 E. Avenue Blvd., Belvidere. 2 p.m. Presented by Christian Art Student Theater. Tickets: $8 advance, $10 at the door. Info: 815-790-1488.

The Artists of L’Atelier – Beloit Fine Arts Incubator, 520 E. Grand Ave., Beloit, Wis. Featuring six local artists, thru Jan. 27. Hours: Mon.-Fri.,10 a.m.-2 p.m. or by appointment. Info: 608-313-9083.

Sunday, Jan. 22

The Wizard of Oz – Belvidere High School, 1500 E. Avenue Blvd., Belvidere. 2 p.m. Presented by Christian Art Student Theater. Tickets: $8 advance, $10 at the door. Info: 815-790-1488.

Earth’s Canvas – Monroe Arts Center, 1315 11th St., Monroe, Wis. Group artist exhibit, thru Feb. 17. Paintings, sculptures, natural materials. Info: 608-325-5700 or www.monroeartscenter.com.

Monday, Jan. 23

The Artists of L’Atelier – Beloit Fine Arts Incubator, 520 E. Grand Ave., Beloit, Wis. Featuring six local artists, thru Jan. 27. Hours: Mon.-Fri.,10 a.m.-2 p.m. or by appointment. Info: 608-313-9083.

Earth’s Canvas – Monroe Arts Center, 1315 11th St., Monroe, Wis. Group artist exhibit, thru Feb. 17. Paintings, sculptures, natural materials. Info: 608-325-5700 or www.monroeartscenter.com.

Realism or Not – Womanspace, Gallery 1, 3333 Maria Linden Drive. Opening reception, 5:30-8 p.m. Featuring works in oil, acrylic, watercolor, glass beadwork, pastel & mixed media. Info: 815-877-0118.

Tuesday, Jan. 24

The Artists of L’Atelier – Beloit Fine Arts Incubator, 520 E. Grand Ave., Beloit, Wis. Featuring six local artists, thru Jan. 27. Hours: Mon.-Fri.,10 a.m.-2 p.m. or by appointment. Info: 608-313-9083.

Earth’s Canvas – Monroe Arts Center, 1315 11th St., Monroe, Wis. Group artist exhibit, thru Feb. 17. Paintings, sculptures, natural materials. Info: 608-325-5700 or www.monroeartscenter.com.

Realism or Not – Womanspace, Gallery 1, 3333 Maria Linden Drive. Opening reception, 5:30-8 p.m. Featuring works in oil, acrylic, watercolor, glass beadwork, pastel & mixed media. Info: 815-877-0118.

Have your free listing in the Thursday preceding our Wednesday publication. Listings can be e-mailed to contact@rockrivertimes.com, faxed to 815-964-9825 or called in to 815-964-9767.

From the Jan. 18-24, 2012, issue

Rockford Public Library Hours – Main Library open Tues.-Thurs., noon-8 p.m. Fri. & Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; East Branch open Mon.-Thurs., noon-8 p.m. & Fri.-Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Rock River and Montague branches open Tues.-Thurs., noon-8 p.m. & Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Rockton Centre Branch open Mon.-Thurs., noon-8 p.m. & Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Lewis Lemon Branch open Mon.-Fri., 2-6 p.m. All library locations closed Sundays.

Burpee Museum of Natural History – 737 N. Main St. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Exhibiting thru April 29, 2012: “Ice Age Mammals.” Admission: $8 adults, $7 children 3-17, free for children younger than 3 and members; additional fee for traveling exhibits. Info: 815-965-3433.

Discovery Center Museum – 711 N. Main St. Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $7 adults, $7 children. Info: 815-963-6769.

Tinker Swiss Cottage – 411 Kent St. Tours 1, 2, 3 p.m., Tues.-Sun. Info: 815-964-2424.

Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden – 2715 S. Main St. Tues.-Sat., 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Closed Sundays and Mondays until April. Admission $6 adults, $3 seniors & students, children younger than 3 and Klehm members, free. Donation Day is now first Tuesday of each month. Admission free, donations of any amount welcome. Info: 815-965-8146.

Anderson Japanese Gardens – 318 Spring Creek Road. Open May 1-Oct. 31. Info: 815-229-9390.

Memorial Hall – 211 N. Main St. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon-Fri., or by appointment. Info: 815-969-1999.

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.

Rockford Park District Indoor Adult Golf Clinics – Indoor Sports Center, 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. Mondays, 12:30-1:20 p.m. or 1:30-2:20 p.m. Taught by PGA members and apprentices. Thru March 14. Info: 815-987-8800.

Camp Grant – 1004 Samuelson Road. 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Tues.-Sat. Restaurant on premises. Info: 815-395-0679.

Lewis Lemon Community Center – 1993 Mulberry St. Mon.-Fri., 5:30-11 p.m. Free. Info: 815-987-8800.

Ethnic Heritage Museum – 1129 S. Main St. Sun., 2-4 p.m. Admission $3 individual, $5 family. Info: 815-962-7402.

Pine Tree Pistol Club – Info about club & classes: 815-874-7399.

Graham-Ginestra House Museum – 1115 S. Main St. Sundays, 2-4 p.m. Info: 815-968-6044.

Midway Village – 6799 Guilford Road. Mon.-Sat., noon-4 p.m. Info: 815-397-9112.

Stone Quarry Recreation Park – 6845 N. German Church Road, Byron. Mon.-Fri., 4-8 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., noon-8 p.m. Info: 815-234-8900.

Health Classes/Seniors Meetings/Support Groups – OSF Saint Anthony Center for Health. Call for specific meetings/dates/info: 815-395-4505.

Support Groups/Youth Drop-in Hours – Diversity of Rockford, 117 S. Third St. Free. Weekly. Call for specific meetings/dates/info: 815-964-2639.

Alcoholics Anonymous – Call for locations/times/info: 815-227-4633 or 815-968-0333.

Narcotics Anonymous – Call for locations/times/info: 815-964-5959 or 888-656-7329.

Support for Retired Grievers – Zion Lutheran Church, 925 Fifth Ave. 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Every other Wed. Call for dates/info: 815-636-4750.

Overeaters Anonymous H.O.W.– Every Thursday at Byron Public Library, Route 2. 12-step study group – 5:30-6 p.m. Regular group meets 6-7:30 p.m. Info: 815-734-4662.

Rockford Public Library Used Book Shop – Rockford Public Library, 215 N. Wyman St. Mon.-Wed., noon-8 p.m.; Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Info: 815-965-7606.

Ken-Rock Community Center – 3218 11th St. Various activities throughout the year. Info: 815-398-8864.

Womanspace – 3333 Maria Linden Drive. Yoga every Thursday, 9:30-10:45 a.m. $40/four classes or $12/class. Basic Hatha Yoga. Other activities throughout the year. Info: 815-877-0118.

Beckman Mill Park – 11600 S. County Road H, off Highway 81. Tours 1-4 p.m. Corn grinding demonstrations, see the blacksmith shop, creamery & visitor center. Info: 608-751-1551.

Heritage Farm Museum – 8059 N. River Road, Byron. Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. Info: 815-234-8535, ext. 217.

Poplar Grove Vintage Wings and Wheels Museum – 5151 Orth Road, Poplar Grove. Open weekdays 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Info: 815-547-3115.

Rock River Valley Blood Center – 419 N. Sixth St. Mon.-Thurs., 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; Fri., 6:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Info: 815-965-8751 or 866-889-9037.

Kishwaukee Valley A.B.A.T.E. Meeting – V.F.W., 2018 Windsor Road, Loves Park. Second Sunday of each month, 2 p.m. Info: 815-544-3088.

Open Doors – Court Street United Methodist Church Chapel, 215 N. Court St. 12:30-1 p.m. Every Wed. Enter north end. Info: 815-962-6061.

Historic Auto Attractions – 13825 Metric Drive, Roscoe. Tues.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Info: 815-389-9999.

Angelic Organics Learning Center – 1547 Rockton Road, Caledonia. Various classes & activities throughout the year. Info: 815-389-8455.

Byron Museum of History – 106 N. Union St., Byron. Tues.-Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Info: 815-234-5031.

The Bridge Center of Rockford – 4861 American Road. Games & classes for beginners through experts. Info: 815-873-9334.

Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off – Rock River Water Reclamation District, 3333 Kishwaukee St. Sat., 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sun., noon-4 p.m.

Club Round: A Clubhouse for Round People – 7120 Windsor Lake Pkwy., Suite 202, Loves Park. Various activities throughout the year. Info: 815-639-0312.

Rockton Township Historical Society Museum – Corner of Blackhawk Boulevard & Green Street, Rockton. Open for tours every Sat. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Info: 815-624-4830.

Singles 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. Info: 815-632-9880 or 815-563-4309 or 815-275-7179.

Having Trouble Hearing on the Phone? – Center for Sight & Hearing, 8038 Macintosh Lane. 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Mon.-Fri. Free amplified phone program. Must be Illinois resident and have standard phone service. Application/info: 815-332-6800.

Winnebago County Health Dept. Flu Vaccine Available – For flu clinic schedule, call 815-720-4264 or go to www.wchd.org.

Stretch & Belly Dance Combo Beginners’ Class – Club Round, 7120 Windsor Lake Parkway. 7:30-9 p.m. Classes every Mon., Wed. & Fri. Registration/info: 815-639-0312.

Adventure Club – Jarrett Center, Byron Forest Preserve District, 7993 N. River Road, Byron. 9-11 a.m. or 1-3 p.m. Ages 3-6. Info: 815-234-8535, ext. 200.

Intermediate Writing/Publishing Class – Meets every Mon. Call for information. Info: 224-343-0384.

Introduction to Card-Making/Stamping – Meets every Thurs. Call for information. Info: 224-343-0384.

Toddler Time – Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 2001 N. Alpine Road. 9:15-10:15 a.m. Every Mon. and Tues. Free. Info: 815-399-3171.

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.

Logan Museum of Anthropology – 700 College St., Beloit, Wis. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Tues.-Sun. Info: 608-363-2677.

Yoga Classes – Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 920 Third Ave., Rockford. Mondays, 6-7:15 p.m., six weeks consecutive, $45 or single classes, $10 each. Register/Info: 815-963-4815.

Jarrett Center – Byron Forest Preserve District, 7993 N. River Road, Byron. Info: 815-234-8535, ext. 200.

Lazy Dog Yoga Studio – 5428 Williams Drive, Roscoe. $10 per drop-in class or 6 classes for $50. Chair Yoga every Friday at noon, Kundalini Yoga every Saturday at 9 a.m. Info: 970-485-0249.

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.

Nominations sought for NLI George & Barbara Fell Award – Individuals with outstanding achievements in land conservation. Submit to Natural Land Institute, 815-964-6666 or www.NaturalLand.org. Deadline: Jan. 27.

Reservations for Potato Dinner at Abreo – 515 E. State St. Date: Jan. 24, 5-9 p.m. Cost: $40/person (excluding tax & gratuity). Seating is limited. RSVP: 815-968-9463.

Reservations for Garlic Dinner at Abreo – 515 E. State St. Date: Feb. 7, 5-9 p.m. Cost: $40/person (excluding tax & gratuity). Seating is limited. RSVP: 815-968-9463.

Registration for Owl Prowl – Byron Forest Preserve District, 7993 N. River Road. Date: Thursday, Jan. 26, 7 p.m. Take a night hike; meet at Jarrett Center. $2/person. Register by Jan. 25. Info: 815-234-8535, ext. 200.

Registration for Ice Fishing – Byron Forest Preserve District, 7993 N. River Road. Dates: Jan. 22 and 29. Meet at Jarrett Center at 7a.m., fish till 10 a.m. $5. For all ages, under 5 is free. Register by Jan. 20 or 27. Info: 815-234-8535, ext. 200.

Registration for Art Workshop – Byron Forest Preserve District, 7993 N. River Road. Date: Sunday, Jan. 29. 12-4 p.m. For ages 6 and older. $10 /person. Meet at Keller Center. Register by Jan. 25. Info: 815-234-8535, ext. 200.

Registration for Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University – Valley Evangelical Covenant Church, 103 S. Maple St. (Rt. 72 & Maple St.), Stillman Valley. Program starts Feb. 13 with 45-minute preview of program Sun., Jan. 29 at 12:30 p.m. Info: 815-645-8872.

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.

Do you need help? Gamblers Anonymous meets at 6 p.m. every Monday. Call Roger at 815-601-8894.

Wednesday, Jan. 18

Free Admission at Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens – 1354 N. Second St., Rockford. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Highlights: “Herbal Teas & Your Health” – 5-6 p.m. Shop at Garden Gate Gifts. Info: 815-987-8898.

“Living with Alzheimer’s” program – Alzheimer’s Association, 1111 S. Alpine Road, Suite 307. Dates: Jan. 18-Feb. 1, 1-3 p.m. Info: 815-484-1300.

SHIP Services for Seniors – OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, Volunteer Services office, 5666 E. State St. 9-11 a.m. With SHIP (Senior Health Insurance Program) volunteers. Appointments required by calling 815-395-5064.

“Woman to Woman” Support Group – OSF Saint Anthony for Cancer Care, Library, 5666 E. State St. 9:30-10:30 a.m. Info: 815-227-2629.

Blackhawk Woodcarvers Meeting – Ken-Rock Community Center, 3218 11th St. 9-10 a.m. Open Carving, 8:30-11 a.m. Info: 815-393-4581.

Trip to Cave of the Mounds – Byron Forest Preserve District, 7993 N. River Road. Meet at Jarrett Center at 10 a.m. Cost: $15/person, $25/couple. All ages welcome. Cave admission not included. Register by Jan. 12 at 815-234-8535, ext. 200

Babes and Books – Rockford Public Library, Main Library Little Theatre, 215 N. Wyman St. 11:15 a.m.-noon. Children younger than 2. Develop baby’s literacy & social skills through rhymes, stories, songs. Info: 815-965-7606.

Beginning Computer for the Absolute Beginner – Rockford Public Library, Main Library, second-floor computer room, 215 N. Wyman St. 2-4 p.m. Ages 13 and older. Info: 815-965-7606.

Prezi – Rockford Public Library, Main Library, second-floor computer room, 215 N. Wyman St. 6-8 pm. Ages 13 and older. Must be familiar with click and drag, copy and paste and PowerPoint software. Registration is not required. Info: 815-965-7606.

Bundle Up! – Rockford Public Library, Montague Branch, Connie Lane Room, 1238 S. Winnebago St. 5-6 p.m. All ages. Info: 815-965-7606.

Diabetes Support Group – OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, St. Francis Room, 5666 E. State St. 6:30 p.m. Free. Info: 815-395-5159.

Sticky Note Creation Competition – Rockford Public Library, Main Library YA Zone, 215 N. Wyman St. 5-8 p.m. Ages 13-19. Build a video game character out of sticky notes. Info: 815-965-7606.

Weight Loss Orientation – OSF Saint Anthony Center for Health, rotates among three OSF locations. 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. every Wed. Info: 815-395-4505.

Will You Ever Be Able to Retire? – North Suburban Library, 6340 N. Second St., Loves Park. 6:30-8 p.m. Rockford Retirement Resource Center presents the “Not Yet Wealthy” free “Money Workshop” that reveals secrets that banks, credit card companies and the IRS aren’t telling you and are afraid to find out. Reservation is required. Info: 800-756-6607.

“Woman to Woman” Breast Cancer Support Group – OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, Cancer Care Library, 5666 E. State St. 9:30-10:30 a.m. Info: 815-227-2629.

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.

YA Gaming Tournament – Rockford Public Library, Main Library, YA Zone, 215 N. Wyman St. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Ages 13-19. Test lyour gaming skills in various PS3 and Wii games. Info: 815-965-7606.

Beloit International Film Festival Sneak Peek Event – Franchesco’s Ristorante, 7128 Spring Creek Road. 5:30-7:30 p.m. See trailers for some of the top films for this year’s festival. Open to public. Free.

Holistic Moms Network Meeting & Potluck – JustGoods, 201 Seventh St. 7 p.m. Meet new members, bring a dish to share. Info: 815-601-5564.

Book Discussion: Marching to the Mountaintop – Beloit College, Pearson Hall, Moore Lounge, 700 College St., Beloit, Wis. 7 p.m. Book by Ann Bausum tells the story of the Memphis sanitation workers’ strike and its impact on the final days of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life. Free. Info: 608-363-2849.

Comedy Night – Whiskey’s Roadhouse, 3207 N. Main St. Info: 815-877-8007.

Thursday, Jan. 19

Breast Cancer Risk Reduction Class – OSF Saint Anthony Center for Cancer Care, 5666 E. State St. 9:30-10:30 a.m. Class size is limited; registration is required. Info: 815-227-2618.

Katie’s Choice Book Club – Katie’s Cup, 502 Seventh St. 10 a.m. Book: The Power of One by Bruce Courtenay. Info: 815-962-4279.

Joy for Everyday Living Luncheon – Giovanni’s Restaurant, 610 N. Bell School Road. Noon-1:30 p.m. With Kelly Epperson, author, humorist, happiness coach. Creative Memories consultant Missie Pierson will present her story, “Questions.” Child care by reservation, door prizes. Info: 815-222-3015 or rcwcreservations@aol.com.

Look, Listen and Learn Storytime – Rockford Public Library, East Branch, 6685 E. State St. 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Ages 3-6 Info: 815-965-7606.

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.

“Lincoln, the Indispensable Man” – Rockford College, Fisher Memorial Chapel, 5050 E. State St. 4 p.m. Program by scholar and Abraham Lincoln biographer, Dr. Michael Burlingame. Part of the college’s Forum Series. Free, but tickets required. Info: 815-226-4100.

Teen ‘Scape – Rockford Public Library, Montague Branch, 1238 S. Winnebago St. 4-7 p.m. Ages 10-19. Play games on Wii or Playstation, surf the Internet, play board games. Info: 815-965-7606.

Sunset Storytime – Rockford Public Library, Main Library Little Theatre, 215 N. Wyman St. 6:30-7:15 p.m. Ages 4-10. Info: 815-965-7606.

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.

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.

Open Mic – Katie’s Cup, 502 Seventh St. Free. Info: 815-986-0628.

Swing Dancing – St. Edward Church, 3004 11th St. 8-10:30 p.m. Every Thurs. Info: 815-914-7441.

Preschool Picnic Storytime – Rockford Public Library, Rockton Centre Branch, 3112 N. Rockton Ave. 12-12:45 p.m. Ages 3-6. Bring a lunch. 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.

Support for Grief After Suicide – Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 4700 Augustana Drive. 7 p.m. Free. Every other Thurs. Call for schedule/info: 815-399-0202.

To the Beach! – Rockford Public Library, Rock River Branch, 3128 11th St. 4-4:45 p.m. All ages. Info: 815-965-7606.

Unplugged Gamers Night – Rockford Public Library, Main Library, Young Adult Zone, 215 N. Wyman St. 5-7 p.m. Ages 13-19. Board games, Yu-Gi-Oh! trading card or classic card games. 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.

Unplugged Gamers Night – Rockford Public Library, Main Library, Young Adult Zone, 215 N. Wyman St. 5-7 p.m. Ages 13-19. Info: 815-965-7606.

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, Jan. 20

Occupy the Courts Rally – Stanley J. Roszkowski U.S. Courthouse, 211 S. Court St. 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Occupy Rockford and other community groups will rally in opposition to the 2010 Supreme Court Citizens United vs. the Federal Elections Committee ruling that affirmed corporations are people and money is speech. This ruling allowed corporations to donate unlimited sums of money to election activities, much of it anonymously.

Drop-In Storytime – Rockford Public Library, Main Library Little Theatre, 215 N. Wyman St. 10:30–11 a.m. All ages. Info: 815-965-7606.

Girlz Talk – Rockford Public Library, Lewis Lemon Branch, 1988 W. Jefferson St. 4-5 p.m. Ages 9-13. Registration is required. Info: 815-965-7606.

Diabetes Support Group – OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, St. Francis Room, 5666 E. State St. 6:30 p.m. open discussion. Free. Info: 815-395-5159.

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.

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.

Hockey: Rockford IceHogs vs. Chicago Wolves – BMO Harris Bank Center, 300 Elm St. 7 p.m. VIP (formerly Glass Level]: $27; Lower Level Sidelines: $23; Lower Level Endzone: $20’ Upper Level Sideline: $17; Upper Level Endzone; $14, Terrace Level: $8. Info: 815-968-5222.

Saturday, Jan. 21

Boy Scout 24 Hour Fire & Food Drive – Highway 251 & Hononegah Road, Roscoe. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Donations of non-perishable food, paper products and hygiene products for Rockton Food Pantry. Monetary donations also accepted. Boy Scouts of Troop 622 will keep the fire going and offer coffee and hot chocolate. Also accepting old American flags for retirement ceremony at 4 p.m.

Rockford Public Schools Gifted Testing – Washington Gifted Academy, 1421 West St. 9 a.m.-noon for kindergarten. 12:30-3:30 p.m. for grades 1-4. Info: 815-966-3182.

Accounting Basics for the Small Business – EIGERlab, 605 Fulton Ave. 9:30 a.m.-noon. Presented by SCORE, facilitated by Dave Rumple of Rumple’s Tax and Consulting Services. Free. Info: ww.northernillinoisscore.org/workshop-accounting-tips-practices.html.

Monster Rats of the Ice Age — Giant Rodents – Burpee Museum of Natural History, 737 N. Main St. 1-2:30 p.m. $18 per child members, $20 per child non-members. Registration is required. Info: 815-965-3433.

Winter Bird Hike – Severson Dells Nature Center, 8786 Montague Road. 8-10:30 a.m. Meet at the Nature Center. Bring binoculars and dress for the weather. Info: 815-335-2915.

Keith Country Day School Information Fair – Keith Country Day School, 1 Jacoby Place. 10 a.m.-noon. Info: Keithschool.com.

Get Moving: Playing with Food – Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St. Noon-3 p.m. With Winnebago County Health Department, Univ. of Ill. Extension Office, Univ. of Ill. College of Medicine. Bean Sprouts–Hip and Health Kids Cafe will host a cooking class for kids age 5 and older, 2-2:30 p.m. and 2:30-3 p.m. Included with Museum admission: $7 adults, $7 children ages 2-17. Info: 815-963-6769.

Senior Drop-In Computer Lab – Rockford Public Library, Rockton Centre Branch, 3112 N. Rockton Ave. 2-4 p.m. Ages 55 and older. For beginners who know how to use a mouse and keyboard. Info: 815-965-7606.

Free YMCA Weekend – I.D. Pennock Branch, 200 Y Blvd., Rockford, and Northeast Branch, 8451 Orth Road, Loves Park. Open to the public with activities, games, tours, classes for all family members. No joiner fee. Info: 815-489-1253 (Pennock] or 815-489-3352 [Northeast].

Black Cinema Discussion Series: Their Eyes Were Watching God – Rockford Public Library, Montague Branch, Connie Lane Room, 1238 S. Winnebago St. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Ages 18 and older. Info: 815-965-7606.

Train for “A Game of Shadows” – Gallowglass Academy, Inc., River Valley Complex, 605 S. Main St., Leaf River, Ill.

DigiScan – Rockford Public Library, East Branch Friends of RPL Community Room, 6685 E. State St. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Ages 13 and older. Bring your own laptop, external hard digitally. Future classes will teach drive or USB drive. Registration is required. Info: 815-965-7606.

Saturday Spectacular: Wonderful Polar Bears! – Rockford Public Library, Main Library Little Theatre, 215 N. Wyman St. 11-11:45 a.m. All ages. Info: 815-965-7606.

GED Fair – Rockford Career College, 1130 S. Alpine Road. 1-7 p.m. Sponsored by The Workforce Connection. Info: www.rockfordgedfair.org.

Scrapbook Saturday – Rockford Public Library, East Branch, Friends of RPL Community Room, 6685 E. State St. 3-5 p.m. Ages 8 and older. Children under 12 need to be accompanied by an adult. Info: 815-965-7606.

Snowshoeing (with instruction) – Seth B. Atwood Park. Youth must be accompanied by an adult during the program. Pre-registration requested. Info: 815-874-7576.

Green Drinks Series Kick-off – Cliffbreakers, 700 W. Riverside Blvd. 5:30 p.m. Steve Ernst, exec. director of Rockford Metropolitan Area Planning, presents a report about Rockford area’s Sustainability Planning process. $10 wine & hors d’oeuvres, $4 green “Nibble of the Month.” Info: greendrinks.org.

Public Tours of Coronado Performing Arts Center – Coronado PAC, 314 N. Main St. 7 p.m. $7. Reservations/Info: 815-968-0595.

Family Skate – Carlson Arctic Ice Arena & Sapora Playworld, 4150 N. Perryville Road, Loves Park. 8 p.m. Info: 815-969-4069.

Adult Grief Support Group – Beloit Regional Hospice Office, 655 Third St., Suite 200, Beloit, Wis. 6-7:30 p.m. Info: 608-363-7421.

Kundalini Yoga – Lazy Dog Yoga Studio, 5428 Williams Drive, Roscoe. 7:30 a.m. Info: 970-485-0249.

Public Skating – Riverview Ice House, 324 N. Madison St. Info: 815-963-7465.

Public Skating – Carlson Arctic Ice Arena & Sapora Playworld, 4150 N. Perryville Road. Info: 815-969-4069.

Sunday, Jan. 22

Frosty and Friends Ice Skating – Carlson Ice Arena, 4150 N. Perryville Road. 2-4 p.m. Learn to Skate lessons, music by a live DJ, prize drawings. Admission includes skate rental, $5; free for ages 2 and younger. Info: 815-987-8800.

Hockey: Rockford IceHogs vs. Milwaukee Admirals – BMO Harris Bank Center, 300 Elm St. 5 p.m. VIP (formerly Glass Level]: $27; Lower Level Sidelines: $23; Lower Level Endzone: $20’ Upper Level Sideline: $17; Upper Level Endzone; $14, Terrace Level: $8. Info: 815-968-5222.

Monday, Jan. 23

Word 2010 in a Day – Rockford Public Library, Rockton Centre Branch, 3112 N. Rockton Ave. Noon-6 p.m. Ages 13 and older. Prerequisite: Must have used MS Word in the past and have good mouse skills. Registration is required. Info: 815-965-7606.

Kids Club – Rockford Public Library, Lewis Lemon Branch, 1988 W. Jefferson St. 4:30-5:30 p.m. Ages 6-12. Info: 815-965-7606.

Discovering Wilderness: An Adventure Guide in Quetico Provincial Park – JustGoods, 201 Seventh St. 7 p.m. Guest Jane McMillan, wilderness guide, will speak to Blackhawk Chapter Sierra Club about her experiences backpacking and canoe trips on the Minnesota-Ontario border. Free, open to the public.

Infant/Toddler CPR – OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, St. Anthony and St. Joseph rooms, 5666 E. State St. 7-9 p.m. Cost: $12.50/person or free to those who attend “Baby 101” or Baby Express. Info: 815-227-2695.

90th State House District Debate – Stillman Valley High School, Stillman Valley. 7 p.m. Sponsored by Ogle County Young Republicans. Free.

Tuesday, Jan. 24

Potato Dinner – Abreo, 515 E. State St. 5-9 p.m. Cost: $40/person (excluding tax & gratuity). Seating is limited. RSVP: 815-96-9463.

RU Ready to be an Entrepreneur? – Cherry Valley Public Library District, 755 E. State St., Cherry Valley. PowerPoint presentation by Vernon Wanner of SCORE to help you start a business. 6:30 p.m. Info: 815-332-5161.

“Baby 101” – OSF Saint Anthony Center for Life, Foundation Room, 5556 E. State St. 7 p.m. Info: 815-227-2695.

Fourth Tuesday Book Discussion: The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris – Rockford Public Library, Main Library, Classroom C, 215 N. Wyman St. 6:30-7:45 p.m. Ages 18 and older. Info: 815-965-7606.

Stories by the Fire – Rockford Public Library, Rock River Branch, 3128 11th St. 6:30-7:30 p.m. All ages. Info: 815-965-7606.

Family Story Hour – Rockford Public Library, Rock River Branch, 3128 11th St. 6:30-7:30 p.m. All ages. Info: 815-965-7606.

Sunset Storytime – Rockford Public Library, East Branch Children’s Area, 6685 E. State St. 6:30-7:15 p.m. Info: 815-965-7606.

How Will We Pay for College? – Rockford Public Library, East Branch, Friends of RPL Community Room, 6685 E. State St. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Ages 15 and older. Info about costs, scholarships, financial aid applications, loans, etc. Registration is required. Info: 815-965-7606.

Have your free listing in the Thursday preceding our Wednesday publication. Listings can be e-mailed to contact@rockrivertimes.com, faxed to 815-964-9825 or called in to 815-964-9767.

From the Jan. 18-24, 2012, issue