Winnebago County NEWS BRIEFS

African-American history celebrated

Rockford’s Ethnic Heritage Museum celebrates the 150th Anniversary of African American history from the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, to the Civil Rights Movement in 1963, to the re-election of President Barack Obama in 2013. The journey through time will include: Thurgood Marshall & Brown vs. Board of Education;  Military service – Buffalo Soldiers and Tuskegee Airmen; Segregation and its effect; The Civil Rights Movement; James Jackson, March on Washington attendee; and the first African American president, Barack Obama.

The museum, located at 1129 S. Main St., is open from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday and tours can be arranged for other times. Call (815) 962-7402 or visit www.ethnicheritagemuseum.org for more information. 

 

RAM presents ‘No Boundaries’ day

Rockford Art Museum presents No Boundaries, a day of fine arts experiences for people of all ages with disabilities on Saturday, Dec. 21 from noon to 4 p.m. This free event features a special performance at noon by Chance to Dance, a Rockford Park District and Rockford Dance Company dance program for youth with disabilities. 

Activities begin at 1:00pm and are designed for visitors of all ages and abilities. These include Through the Ages: 100 Years of RAM art exhibition at Rockford Art Museum; hands-on art projects with The Arc, Discovery Center Museum, Easter Seals Autism Therapeutic School, Rockford Park District Arts For All, Milestone and RAM; a musical instrument “petting zoo”; dance workshops with Rockford Dance Company; and theater workshops (“Be an Actor or an Actress: Put Yourself on Stage”). Participating organizations include Rockford Art Museum, Rockford Park District and its Therapeutic Recreation Department, Rockford Dance Company, The Arc, AgeQuake Theatres, Discovery Center Museum, Easter Seals Autism Therapeutic School, Northland Association of Special Recreation (NASR), Rick Zillhart & Friends.

For details contact Stacey LaRosa at RAM, (815) 972-2874, slarosa@rockfordartmuseum.org; or Jordan McDonald at RPD, (815) 987-1609, jordan.mcdonald@rockfordparkdistrict.org.

 

Saxophonist plays at Emerson event

December’s Jazz at Emerson concert featuring local Jazz Saxophonist Harlan Jefferson on Dec. 19 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

A rapper/dj-turned-saxophonist, his reputation came full circle in 2006 with the release of the single “The Chicago Bears Anthem.” Written by Swade, Harlan Jefferson executive produced and promoted the ultra modern rap-with-class that was played in Chicago at one of the Bears games. 

The track was quickly picked up by DJs, who played it in the streets, in clubs, on the Internet, and on television stations and music and sports radio stations in Rockford, Chicago, and Indiana.

Harlan Jefferson provides various combos, often with an 8-piece band, for private parties and corporate events. He creates his own radio commercials and promotional spots, and his my space account is impressive, using all possible features to highlight his work.

Doors open at 5 p.m. at 420 N. Main.

 

Free indoor fun area at CherryVale

Enjoy Free Indoor Play Area at CherryVale Mall.

Rockford Park District, in partnership with CherryVale Mall, welcomes those with young children to experience the unique and recently refurbished “Come Play With Us” custom indoor children’s play area inside CherryVale Mall near Sears on the lower level. The play area is open during regular Mall hours, and is designed for children ages seven and younger, and under 42-inches tall; there is no admission charge.

The 32 by 32 foot area features vibrant-colored soft foam play pieces representing popular Rockford Park District attractions and recreational activities that children will have fun exploring, climbing on, and sliding through.

The area now includes representations of the Double Dare Drop slide and inner tube for Magic Waters Waterpark, a butterfly, flowers, and mini-conservatory to represent Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, and a tent, campfire, and fish for Atwood Center; there are also play pieces representing popular recreation activities like soccer, tennis, baseball, and golf.

There is seating for adults, and a literature rack at the entrance to the playground filled with information about the Rockford Park District’s programs and services. CherryVale Mall is located at 7200 Harrison Ave. in Cherry Valley.

 

Nature Center hosts Play open house

Not necessarily an open house, but a house that is open. The Severson Dells Nature Center invite people of all ages to come out and just hang out at its Winter Play Open House between 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 27. Featured will be hot chocolate for the kids and coffee available for the adults. Enjoy the fire. Have fun putting together one of our large nature floor puzzles or doing a nature craft. Curl up by the window with a good book and keep one eye on the birds at the feeders. Visit http://seversondells.org for more information.