Thanks for your support

Add comment December 30th, 2008

Good news! We’ve received more than 1,800 votes for Rockford Woman of the Year 2009, and you have until Jan. 7 to make your choice. I’d like to see more than double that number, which would top last year.

Our latest reminder to get you to vote is here. It also highlights all the dozens of women who were nominated. All should be honored.

The new issue of Rockford Woman is here …

Add comment December 22nd, 2008

… and it’s time to vote for the second Rockford Woman of the Year Award.

We are proud of the dozens of women nominated and our five finalists: Mary Bartel, Janet Holmgren, Judy Schultz, Margaret “Peg” Wilkerson and Monica Williams. When you read about their personal and professional commitments, you will be inspired to be a better person.

You have until Jan. 7 to make your choice. The winner will be announced in the March-April  issue of the magazine (and really, the night before it comes out, at a Feb. 19 invitation-only reception).

Give the gift of …

1 comment December 5th, 2008

One of our most frequent requests this time of year is “give me gift ideas that are local.”

Well, we did that once in our RW gift guide, but here are a few offers available through the Register Star and RW.

1. The “Rockford Memories II” hardcover book. This is a followup to last year’s hugely popular pictorial history (we had to do a second printing) from the 1800s through 1939, with photos this time from the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s. Cost is $40.04 including tax or $45.77 including tax and shipping. Call 815-987-1400 to order. You also can add $5 to donate to Newspapers in Education. … If you’re out shopping, you can find the book at Walgreens, Borders, Canterbury Books, J.R. Kortman Center for Design and Midway Village. The first book is still available at the RRS and Borders.

2.  The Dining Card. For $25, you can get “buy one meal, get one free” at 31 Rock River Valley Restaurants. Get started here. Or watch for ads in the newspaper. The value is over $150.

3. Gift subscription to Rockford Woman. Our glossy magazine by, for and about women can be sent to your friend or loved one for 6 times a year for $15, basically to cover the cost of mailing. Call 815-987-1400.

We have a Godiva winner

Add comment November 11th, 2008

Mary Moore of Rockford won the Rockford Woman giveaway of a $100 Godiva chocolate basket from Crimson Ridge. We received 4,875 entries in two weeks — almost twice as much as our 2007 gift guide giveaway.

Mary was thankful, of course, when I spoke with her on the phone. She expects to give away some of the goodies as gifts but keep some of it for herself — the best of both worlds!

Thanks to all who entered and support our magazine.

Victory Lap Brunch raises more than $9,000

Add comment October 30th, 2008

Thanks to everyone who supported the second annual Victory Lap Brunch Oct. 25 at Cliffbreakers!

The event raised more than $9,000 through ticket sales, donations, sponsorships and centerpiece sales — more than double we originally estimated.

Speaking of tickets, we set a record there, too, with 635 sold. Three of those were me, my mom (center) and my sister Karin (left).

Yes, you love chocolate

Add comment October 28th, 2008

Because Halloween is Friday, chocolate is probably on your mind … and in your mouth. (Twix, Kit-Kats and Reese’s cups are good for trick-or-treaters but even better for moms.)

Don’t forget about the Rockford Woman Godiva giveaway I told you about last week! In three days, we’ve already racked up 400-plus entries.

Breast cancer walk and brunch: See the photos and video

Add comment October 27th, 2008

On Saturday morning, there was pink all over the place: first at Martin Park with nearly 4,000 ladies, men and dogs for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk, then across the river at Cliffbreakers for the Rockford Woman Victory Lap brunch.

Both events set records for fund-raising for the American Cancer Society: $275,000 for the walk and at least $4,600 from the brunch. (I’m still waiting for a final total. We had sold 575 tickets as of Friday afternoon.)

[flashvideo filename=”http://www.rrstar.com/multimedia/x1157499337/A-sea-of-pink-fights-breast-cancer/@@download.flv” /]

The video is above. Plus, we have galleries from the walk and the brunch.

We are proud to be part of both events. Congrats to everyone involved!

Grandmas and Godiva

Add comment October 24th, 2008

Today, the November/December issue of Rockford Woman magazine is out. It’s the holiday edition — gulp, do I have to start shopping already? — that includes a16-page gift guide full of ideas from local shops.

It also features a chance to win a $100 Godiva basket from Crimson Ridge. If you win, you can give it away as one gift or multiple gifts. Or you can just treat yourself!

The cover story, by the way, is about grandmas: those raising their grandchildren (like Marla McCann, below) and others who just love being a Nana. It’s powerful. Have your Kleenex nearby.

In case you’re new: To find Rockford Woman, check these locations. To make things easier, you can subscribe for $15 a year.

Know an amazing Rockford Woman?

Add comment September 22nd, 2008

You only have until the end of the month to nominate her for the Rockford Woman of the Year award. Find directions here or here.

Furst Staffing CEO Darlene Furst won in the award’s first year, which drew two dozen nominees. Let’s see even more great women in the selection process this time!

more than one way to fight breast cancer

Add comment September 18th, 2008

at rockford woman magazine, we take the fight against breast cancer personally, as staffers and their relatives have been affected.

so a head’s up about a shopping event this weekend and a reminder about others:

1. suzanne young is holding the second  annual “great big accessory sale” from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. saturday at 1779 sentinel court in rockford to raise money for the american cancer society. you can find gently used purses, shoes, jewelry, scarves and other accessories. there will be door prizes.

new this year colorlab cosmetics’ custom pink lip gloss, “sara’s smile,” named after rachel robinson-bardoville’s mother who lost her battle with breast cancer but faced it with a smile.

2. tickets are on sale for the second annual rockford woman victory lap brunch, which will be oct. 25 at cliffbreakers after the making strides against breast cancer walk.

the event features a breakfast buffet, music by the red note quartet, raffle prizes and emcee/speaker judge rosemary collins — a great way to finish off a morning with the girls.

the price is $20. tickets are available in rockford at roxy carmichael, 310 n. alpine road; woodman’s; and j.r. kortman center for design, or you can call bea ricotta at 815-987-1453.

the walk in martin park and the brunch are both fund-raisers for the american cancer society.for information on the walk, go to cancer.org/strides online or call 815-229-1287.

3. womanspace is presenting “busted,” a one-woman play about the humor and terror of surviving breast cancer, at 7 p.m. oct. 29 at rockford memorial hospital. tickets are $25; call 815-877-0118. meet and greet playwright, actress and survivor nancy heerens-knudson afterward. dvds of the show will be available; proceeds benefit nancy’s sister kisti, who has no health insurance and is paying for her breast-cancer treatment on her own. proceeds from the performance benefit womanspace and its women in crisis fund.
4. swedishamerican health system is offering “planting the seeds of hope: a free breast cancer awareness program,” at 6:30 p.m. oct. 6 at giovanni’s in rockford. a panel will discuss the latest innovations in breast health care — and take questions. special guest speaker will be judy emerson, breast cancer survivor and former newspaper columnist. call 815-968-2500.

5. my aerobics instructor and survivor dani kelly is in charge of rocktoberfest 2008, a two-day music festival 5 to 10 p.m. friday, sept. 26, and noon to 10 p.m. saturday, sept. 27, in the parking lot of  old chicago. cost is $5 friday; $5 until 6 p.m. saturday and $10 after that; free for children 7 and younger. buy advanced tickets at old chicago, the oak barrel and other locations. proceeds benefit the inspiration for hope foundation and the making strides walk.