Smart Living Weekly - May 7, 2014

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Right in Our Region

Kiwanis Showcase Budding Artists

By Chris Linden, managing editor

I

n an age when public school arts programs are frequently on the chopping block, the Kiwanis Club of Rockford is doing its part to encourage creative young minds. That’s the idea behind the newest fundraiser for one of the world’s oldest Kiwanis chapters.

Budding Artists, to be held on May 16, at Burpee Museum of Natural History, 737 N. Main St., is a live auction of 21 pieces created by local high school students. The evening also includes live music by guitarist Ted Stavrou and an appearance by professional artist Karen Vaughn Harding.

Continued on p. 20

• Get All the SAVINGS You Deserve from Local Businesses

How to Be Your Skin’s Best Friend • Bathroom Updates for Aging in Place • Say Good-bye to Bunions Tips for Building Your Nest Egg • Yummy Guilt-Free Desserts • The Origins of Mother’s Day

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In This Issue

Right in Our Region: .....................Cover & p. 20 Budding Artists Your Home ........................................................11 Age-in-Place Bathroom Renovations Inspiration & Worship .....................................12 How Mother’s Day Began Your Kitchen .................................................... 15 Guilt-free Homemade Desserts Your Style .........................................................17 Skin Care Basics Your Health ...................................................... 25 About Bunions Your Fun ........................................................... 27 Dining Locally ................................................. 29 Tips ................................................................... 31 Reduce Future College Debt Now Your Money ...................................................... 33 Tips for Boomer Retirement Planning

Smart L iving Weekly ™

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes Executive Editor Janine Pumilia

Managing Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Associate Editor/Special Projects Editor Karla Nagy Senior Staff Writer/Promotions Coordinator Paul Anthony Arco Graphics Director Blake Nunes Graphic Designer Samantha Ryan Contributing Writers Jim Killam and Peggy Werner General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes Account Executives Steve Blachford, Brian Hughes Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes Website www.NWQSmartLiving.com Published by Hughes Media Corp.

728 N. Prospect St., Rockford, IL, 61107 (815) 316-2300, Fax: (815) 316-2301 lhughes@northwestquarterly.com Smart Living Weekly.

Copyright 2014 by Hughes Media Corp., 728 N. Prospect St., Rockford, IL, 61107. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.

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May 7

The Joy of Service

S

ervice Club. Can you define that term?

I recently had an interesting conversation about this with my son and daughter, ages 24 and 22. I was surprised to learn how little they know about these organizations and the important role they play here and across the world.

Growing up, it was a given that Dad would buy a dozen roses from the Loves Park Lion’s Club fundraiser each year. We attended the Kiwanis pancake breakfast like clockwork. Our Rotarian friends Stu and Polly Smith hosted Rotary Club members from around the world, who told us about the exciting projects the club made possible in their countries.

It’s not that my kids or their peers don’t understand community service; they’ve done plenty of it throughout high school, college and beyond. But I’m not sure they understand the kind of consistent, joyful camaraderie that comes from being part of a long-term service club, or the magnitude of change these large, international clubs can effect. The Lion’s Club works to eradicate blindness; The Cosmopolitan Club fights diabetes; the Rotary Club works to stamp out polio. These are not small efforts. The Junior League of Rockford launched the Discovery Center Museum and Ken-Rock Community Center, among other things.

Starting in the pre-Mad Men era, service clubs formed as business networking vehicles, then evolved into social clubs devoted to helping others. Back then, more businesses were locally owned and options for socializing were fewer and non-digital.

Such clubs have declined in recent decades, as we more often hole up at home with electronic devices (purchased from big-box stores). We’re poorer for it in more ways than one.

We hope you enjoy our cover story about local Kiwanis members helping local youths. Social clubs remain an important way to find joy in service.

Happy reading! ❚ Janine Pumilia, Executive Editor Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Weekly

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Experience Downtown Rockford

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Y H  G

Age in Place Safely with Home Modifications

By Jim Killam

N

inety percent of people over 65 say they want to remain in their homes as they age, according to a survey by AARP, Inc. It’s called “aging in place,” and often requires some home modifications – particularly in bathrooms.

Luxury Bath Systems and Kitchen Design Studio, 5436 N. Second St., Loves Park, specializes in modifying bathrooms with safety features that don’t look – well, institutional.

“We get Baby Boomers in here a lot – 55-plus – and then we get a lot of older seniors 85 and over,” says Mandi Orto.

“We get a lot of customers who come in and tell us their spouse has suddenly had an injury. It’s an emotional struggle for them as a couple and individually, so now they have to do modifications really fast.”

Before modifications, though, comes a conversation – or several – about what

this process does and doesn’t mean.

“A lot of customers – especially Depression-era customers – will say, ‘Oh, we don’t need that. We don’t need to spend money on ourselves,’” Orto says. “Most of them are more concerned about, ‘What if I take my tub out and then suddenly I sell my house? Who’s going to buy the house?’

“Sometimes we have to say, you need to think about yourself. What’s the safest thing that you can do?

Don’t be thinking about the person buying the house. You should be thinking about you. What are your needs?”

Often that begins with converting a bathtub to a walk-in shower with little to no step-up. That can cost $5,500 to $6,500 for the average bathroom, Orto says, but Luxury Bath Systems works

with several agencies that often provide financial help.Among them: RAMP, Veterans Affairs, the State of Illinois and Make a Wish Foundation. ❚

Get SLW Home & Garden articles every week. Visit NWQSmartLiving. com and start your e-Edition today.

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I  W

A Mother’s Strength

S

tories of grieving mothers seem always to be in the news, pulling deeply at our hearts. Such tragedies bring to mind Jochebed, mother of three Biblical giants — Moses, Aaron and Miriam. According to Jewish tradition, this clever woman not only loved her own children, but was a caring midwife. She descended from Jacob, who God called “Israel.”

Imagine her terror and heartbreak when the Egyptian pharaoh, fearing a population explosion of Jews, ordered all Jewish male infants killed.

“The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, ‘When you are helping the Hebrew women during childbirth on the delivery stool, if you see that the baby is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live.’ The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live. Then the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, ‘Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live?’

The midwives answered Pharaoh, ‘Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive.’” -- (Exodus 1:15-19).

Jochebed hid her own beautiful infant son for three months before crafting the watertight basket that would safely ‡oat him on the Nile into the hands of Pharaoh’s daughter. At the moment Jochebed let go, she didn’t know she’d soon be called to nurse him and be part of his life well into adulthood.

Imagine how frightening it was to release her beloved infant into a river full of hazards. Imagine the moment she opened her flngers and released the basket. In desperation, but also in faith, she made the decision to trust God to be her son’s No. 1 protector. In so doing, history unfolded in a way that led not only Moses to freedom, but all of Israel.

Many a desperate mother is engulfed by terror when her own strength is insufflcient to protect her child. And many an overconfldent mother mistakenly believes her strength alone is sufflcient for her child. All mothers can learn from Jochebed, who knew that God alone was her child’s deliverer -- and her own. ❚ -- Janine Pumilia

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May 7

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Guilt-free Desserts to Please the Whole Family D inner is over and your family is craving something sweet to end the meal. There are plenty of delicious options to satisfy even the biggest sweet tooth while keeping your family’s balanced diet in check. By preparing your own creations, you can please even the pickiest of eaters and give your kids some extra nutrients with hidden servings of fruits or vegetables.

Whole Fruit Ice Cream If you love frozen treats, try a healthier, homemade ice cream using whole fruit.

Create a quick raspberry ice cream by combining 1 cup milk, 3/4 cup sugar (or your favorite sweetener), 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and 1 pound frozen raspberries in a Vitamix 5200. Turn on the blender and slowly increase the speed from one to 10, using the tamper to push the mixture down. In less than a minute, you’ll have a creamy, soft-serve style ice cream.

You can make a variety of flavors by substituting blueberries, peaches, pineapple, strawberries or other frozen fruit.

Non-Dairy “Ice Cream” Whip up a batch of green apple ice cream for a non-dairy, vegan alternative to traditional ice cream. Your kids will love the green hue of this after-dinner delight.

Plus, they’ll get an extra helping of spinach, which is loaded with vitamins - especially A, C and K - on top of antioxidants and minerals like potassium and iron. Simply add 6 ounces of thawed apple juice concentrate, a peeled banana, 1 1/2 cups fresh spinach and 4 cups ice into your Vitamix. Blend on high for about 40 seconds and you’ll have a healthy dessert. The kids will never know this nondairy delight is so nutritious.

gurt is typically lower in sugar and higher in calcium and protein than regular yogurt. Mix in a touch of honey for extra sweetness. Choose any combination you like - from the classic vanilla yogurt with fresh berries, to strawberry yogurt with peaches. A parfait is also a smart breakfast option.

Avocado-based Mousse Everyone knows that avocado makes a great guacamole, but did you know it can also be used in desserts such as mousse, pudding, sorbet and ice cream? It may sound strange, but the fruit’s rich, creamy texture lends itself well to many sweet treats. For the chocolate lover in your family, try a smooth chocolate avocado mousse. This raw food recipe uses avocadoes, almond milk, dates and coconut butter for the base, along with cocoa or carob powder for the chocolate flavor. It’s best to prepare the mousse ahead of time,

because it needs to chill for at least an hour before serving. Top with fresh berries or a bit of shaved chocolate.

Making dessert at home puts you in control of the ingredients. It’s also a great way to increase the level of vitamins, minerals and healthy nutrients in your family’s diet. Fruit is naturally sweet, so it’s a great place to start. To enhance flavor even more, experiment with other natural sweeteners, such as agave nectar, honey or stevia in place of granulated (Source: BPT) sugar. ❚

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Be Your Skin’s Best Friend

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ging is a costly adventure, as we spend more time and money to keep the clock from ticking too fast.

“As we age, daily skin maintenance is more important than ever and there are more visible results,” says Betsy Branca, owner and founder of Arch Apothecary in Rockford.

A basic skin care routine includes eye creams, serums and moisturizers.

Serums are highly concentrated and relatively expensive, but they penetrate deeply and make a big difference in how the skin looks, says Branca. The key to good skin care is getting moisture deep into the skin and washing away dull, dead skin cells.

“The use of masques and exfoliating products keep wrinkles from being as noticeable. These products are more important than ever, as skin ages,” says Branca.

“Good skin care becomes less of an op-

tion and more of a must, as we age.”

Once the skin is in the best shape possible, it’s time to think about enhancing positive features and downplaying negative ones, through make-up.

Branca says clean, well-shaped brows provide an “instant facelift,” and eye shadows should be in matte shades, as opposed to shiny, frosted colors that make wrinkles more apparent. Use lip stain or a lip pencil to prevent lip colors from “bleeding” into flne lines around the mouth.

For the face, stay away from powders that settle into wrinkles and instead use sheer, light make-up that gives a moisturized, dewy look instead of a caked-on appearance.

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Budding Artists Continued from Cover

“These works were selected by art teachers from seven participating schools, and we’re amazed at what we’ve seen,” says Ken Staaf, event committee chairman. “The students will receive onehalf of the revenue generated by the auction of their work. Additionally, each art department will receive $250 to use as the art teacher determines.”

Boylan Catholic, Rockford Lutheran, Auburn, East, Guilford, Jefferson and Roosevelt schools will each provide three pieces for the event. A few pieces were donated by alumni.

The artwork comes in a variety of media, from 2-D paintings and drawings to sculptures. “One of these is a big statue of the Creature from the Black Lagoon,” says Staaf. “I thought, ‘Who’s going to buy this?’ But I was talking with the art teacher about this, and she said, ‘Don’t laugh – this kid is going to be very

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wealthy.’ He has been accepted on scholarship to a school in California where they teach artwork for the movies, and 97 percent of the students go directly into the movie industry.”

During the event, three artists will be awarded scholarships: two $500 awards from the Kiwanis of Rockford and a $1,000 award from Alpine Bank, a major event sponsor. The club intends to hand out an additional $25,000 in scholarships this year.

The Budding Artists event replaces a long-running pancake breakfast fundraiser. Two years ago, the Kiwanis group shifted its focus toward the new event, at the suggestion of a member who’d seen a similar showcase.

“The Art Institute of Chicago’s school has, for the past few years, held a banquet and auctioned off the art from its students,” explains Paul Werther, president-elect of the Kiwanis of Rockford.

“One of our members said this would be a wonderful idea for Rockford, if we

May 7

By Aubrey LaFevre, Jefferson High School.

could get the public schools and the parochial schools involved. That was two years ago.”

This is just one of many ways in which Kiwanis of Rockford uses the funds it raises to help its community. Each year, the club donates at least $50,000 to area groups serving children in need. Since the local chapter was founded in 1917, it’s given more than $1 million back to the community.

R  O R “People who don’t know us say, ‘Oh, it’s just a fun club,’ but we’re out there in stealth, really helping people in need,” says Staaf. “We interview agencies that need help, and sometimes you really get choked up hearing how they’re in need.

One organization just needed a refrigerator because its food was rotting. It was a place for single mothers to take care of their children, but their food was rotting because they needed a working fridge.

It’s a small thing to us, but to them it’s exciting.”

In just the past few years, the 52 Kiwanis members in this club have also sponsored a new gym ‡oor for Washington Academy public school; an astronomy lab at Discovery Center Museum; and an addition to Rock House Kids, a center in Rockford’s southeast side that provides a safe shelter for homeless youths.

“One of my favorite stories is from a lady who told us that children were coming into the classrooms and they stank – nobody could understand why these kids

were so poorly bathed,” says Staaf. “Well, it turns out the kids didn’t have socks and underwear, so this lady and her daughter started an organization that helped to supply underwear to kids in need.”

Nearly 100 years old, Kiwanis of Rockford has supported the development of many other Kiwanis chapters, includ- By Diana Pacheo, Jefferson High School. ing the Alpine Kiwanis, every Tuesday at noon, at Stockholm Inn, famous for its annual summertime Brat 2420 Charles St. Some members also Days. meet on the flrst Tuesday of the month, More Kiwanis chapters exist in Beat 5:30 p.m., at Sam’s Ristorante, 6075 E. loit, Freeport, Byron and Oregon. Local Riverside Blvd. chapters support kids’ Kiwanis programs Tickets for the Kiwanis Club of in area schools, such as K-Kids for elRockford’s Budding Artist event are $50 ementary students, Builders Club for and can be purchased through any club middle-schoolers and Key Club for high member, at any Rockford-area Alpine schoolers.

Bank, the Rockford Area Arts Council, or New adult members are always welonline at KiwanisClubofRockford.com. ❚ comed. Kiwanis Club of Rockford meets

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1100 Eleventh St. (just south of Charles) • Rockford, Illinois 61104 815-227-2000 Tell them you saw it in• ...

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Bunions: Painfully Common but Treatable

By Rockford Ambulatory Surgery Center

R

enaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci called the foot a “masterpiece of engineering and a work of art.” That masterpiece takes a beating even when we aren’t playing or exercising.

Foot disorders are a leading cause of disability in older adults. Just as your house has a foundation, feet are the body’s foundation. When they hurt, your whole body hurts.

A bunion is an enlargement of bone or tissue around the joint at the base of the big toe. This can damage adjacent toes and produce swelling and tenderness.

Painful bunions interfere with walking and exercising. These symptoms usually worsen if the bunion evades treatment.

Bunions are linked to family history. Foot structure is hereditary, and some types are more bunion-prone than others.

Low arches, flat feet and unusually flexible joints increase the risk.

Occupations that involve standing or walking are associated with bunions.

Arthritis, which damages the cartilage within the joint, may play a role.

Hormonal changes during pregnancy loosen the ligaments and flatten the feet.

Over 30 percent of the population in Western nations experiences bunions, compared with about 3 percent in countries without Western footwear. Women are up to 10 times more likely to have bunions than men. Narrow, pointed-toe shoes, high heels and ill-fitting footwear

exacerbate the problem.

Pain relief is possible without surgery. Warm soaks, ice packs and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may help.

You may be able to prevent bunions from progressing by wearing shoes with lots of toe room and using shoe pads and supports for protection and comfort.

When nonsurgical treatments are not enough, surgery can ease the pain and correct any related foot deformity. Bunionectomies are frequently performed at Rockford Ambulatory Surgery Center, 1016 Featherstone Road in Rockford. The surgery generally involves an incision in the top or side of the big toe joint and the removal or realignment of soft tissue and bone. Severely deformed joints often require stabilization with tiny wires, stitches, screws or plates. Implant insertion of all or part of an artificial joint may be called for. ❚

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May 7

Y F

Half Marathon/10K Fun Run/Walk For Literacy May 10, 8 a.m. race start. Course takes runners along scenic trails, paved roads and biking paths through the Kishwaukee, Blackhawk Springs and Espenscheid Forest Preserves.

Brunch afterwards. $65 marathon/$25 fun run-walk. Vasa Park, 6616 42nd St., Rockford, (815) 963-2171, theliteracycouncil.org.

Victorian Village Opening Day May 10, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tours of the buildings, and a new vintage open-air market hosted by Rockford’s Urban Farmgirl, with vendors from across the U.S. $5/$3 ages 5-17/members free.

Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford, (815) 397-9112, midwayvillage.com.

National Astronomy Day May 10, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free planetarium shows, star maps, glittery crafts; see inner workings of a telescope; close-up of the sun. Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 963-6769, discoverycentermuseum.org.

Ogham May 10, 1-2:30 p.m. Happy 450th Birthday, Will Shakespeare! Musical group Ogham performs Elizabethan-era music. Beloit Public Library, 605 Eclipse Blvd., Beloit, Wis., (608) 364-2905, beloitlibrary.info.

Murder Mystery Night May 10, 6-8 p.m. The widely-known, incorruptible Mayor has been killed the day before the election and it’s your job to figure out whodun-it. Tinker Swiss Cottage, 411 Kent St., Rockford, (815) 964-2424, tinkercottage.com.

2nd City Chorus: May 10, 7 p.m. “Still Crazy After All These Years” Guest Quartet “After Hours”; MC Andy Gannon. $25/main show & “Afterglow,” with hors d’oeuvres, soft drinks, cash bar. Veterans Memorial Hall, 211 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 988-1003, (815) 713-1643, 2ndcitychorus.com.

Klehm Plant Sale May 10-11, 9 a.m. Choose from hundreds

(Karla Nagy photo)

West Side Story May 8, 7:30 PMA Dance-driven modern telling of Romeo & Juliet, with hits like “Tonight,” “America,” “Somewhere (There’s a Place for Us)” and “I Feel Pretty.” Coronado Performing Arts Center (CPAC), 314 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 968-0595, coronadopac.org.

Learn about birds as they are caught, banded and set free, during Bird Fest 2014, May 10-11, at Sand Bluff Bird Observatory in Durand.

of colorful plants; stroll the beautiful Klehm grounds. Free admission. Klehm Arboretum, 2715 S. Main St., Rockford, Ill., (815) 9658146, klehm.org.

Bird Fest 2014 May 10-11, 8 a.m. Learn about various migrating bird species as they’re netted, assessed, banded and released. Live raptors; Kid’s Korner; Silent Auction; Eickman’s food tent, more. Sand Bluff Bird Observatory, 10602 Haas Road, Durand, Ill., inside Colored Sands Forest Preserve, (815) 629-2671, sandbluff.org.

Lewis Black May 11, 8 p.m. Humorous observational rantings of the popular comedian, former regular on “The Daily Show” and frequent star on TV’s Comedy Central. CPAC, Rockford, coronadopac.org.

Beloit Snappers Baseball May 12-14, Mon 11 a.m.; Tue-Wed 6:30 p.m.

Watch the Snappers take on the Kane County Cougars in a three-game home series. Pohlman Field, 2301 Skyline Dr., Beloit, (608) 3622272, milb.com.

BJS: Simply Symphony: Zings With Strings May 14, 6:30 p.m. Beloit Janesville Symphony presents music for the whole family. Eclipse Center, 100 Eclipse Center, Beloit, Wis. Tickets: BJSO, (608) 313-1200, beloitjanesvillesymphony.org.

Read with Lilly, the Library Dog May 15 & 29, 5-6 p.m. Kids love to read with Lilly, a trained Reading Education Assistance Dog. Registration and parental permission required.

Beloit Public Library, beloitlibrary.info. ❚

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May 7

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Smart Dining Weekly Our Top Picks for Terrific Local Restaurants D Dinner, L Lunch, Br Brunch, Bk Breakfast. Cost: $ under $12.50; $$ $12.50 - $25; $$$ $25+ 2nd Cousin’s Bar & Grill E Casual/American. Full bar.

6246 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park, Ill., (815) 637-2660.

LD M-F 11am-2am, Sat-Sun 8am to late. $.

9 East Coffee E Specialty coffees, pastries, breakfast & lunch items. 9 E. Stephenson St., Freeport, Ill. (815) 233-7300. $ abreo E Upscale-Casual. Tapas menu. 515 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 968-9463. D M-Th 5-10pm, F-Sat to midnight. Bar open late. $-$$.

Amici Italian Grill E Upscale-Casual/Italian. Fresh, authentic Italian cuisine. 5506 Clayton Circle, Roscoe, Ill., (815) 623-7171. LD Sun-Th 11am-9pm, F-Sat 11am10-pm. $-$$.

Bravo Pizza E Italian/American favorites, full bar. 376 Prairie Hill Road, South Beloit, Ill. (815) 624-7900. LD M-Th 11am-10pm, Fri. & Sat. 11am-11pm, Sun. 11am10pm. $.

Butterfly Club E Upscale-Casual/Fine Dining. 5246 E. Co. Road X, Beloit, Wis. (608) 362-8577. LD T-Th 5-9:30pm, F 4:30-10pm, Sat 5-10pm, Sun noon-8pm. Live bands. $$.

Cafe Fromage E Artisan sandwiches, soups, cheese plates, baked goods from The Cheese People. 431 E. Grand Ave., Beloit, Wis. (608) 207-3094. $ Cannova’s Pizzeria & Fine Italian Cuisine E Casual.

Pizza, pasta, steak, seafood. 1101 W. Empire St., Freeport, (815) 233-0032. D T-Th, Sun 5-9pm; F-Sat 10pm. $-$$.

Ciao Bella Ristorante E Upscale-Casual/ItalianAmerican. Extensive wine list; daily specials. 6500 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park, Ill., (815) 654-9900. LD M-F 11am-9pm, Sat 5-9pm. $$.

Costa’s Italian Ristorante E Upscale-Casual. 133 Blackhawk Dr., Byron, Ill., (815) 234-4707. Open daily.

D Sun-Th 4-10pm, F-Sat to midnight. $-$$.

Dos Reales E Casual/Authentic Mexican. 5855 E. State St., Rockford. LD M-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 10:30pm, Sun to 10pm $-.

Giordano’s E Casual/Italian. Authentic stuffed pizza, salads, sandwiches, entrees, desserts. Pick-up/delivery available.

333 Executive Pkwy., Rockford, (815) 398-5700. LD Sun-Th 9am-11p.m, F-Sat to midnight. $.

™

JMK Nippon Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar E Upscale-Casual/Japanese. 2551 N. Perryville, Rockford, (815) 877-0505. L T-F 11:30am-2pm, Sat to 2:30pm; D M-Th 5-9:30pm, F-Sat to 10:30pm, Sun 4:30-9:30pm. $$.

Joey C’ Cucina & Cocktails E Upscale-Casual/Italian.

2583 N. Mulford, Rockford, (815) 639-1200. LD M-T 4-10pm, W-Th 11am-9pm, F to 10pm, Sat-Sun 4-10pm $.

Leombruni’s Italian Village Pizza & Restaurant E Casual. 110 W. 2nd St., Byron, Ill., (815) 234-2696. D T-Th 5-9pm, F-Sat to 11pm, Sun to 10pm. $.

Lucha Cantina E Casual/Mexican. Fresh ingredients, no MSG, steaks, mac ‘n cheese, burgers. 1641 N. Alpine, Rockford, (815) 977-4319. LD M-Th 11am-midnight, F-Sat 2am. $.

Main Street Bistro E Fine dining, full bar, live music Thurs. and Sat. nights. 109 S. Galena Ave., Freeport, Ill. (815) 232-2322. Mon.-Sat. 2p.m. to close. $$ Maciano’s Pizza & Pastaria E Casual. Italian favorites, beer & wine. 6746 Broadcast Pkwy., Loves Park, Ill., (815) 963-7869. LD Sun-Th 11am-midnight, F-Sat to 11pm. $$.

Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint E Fine Dining.

Ironworks Hotel, 500 Pleasant St., Beloit, Wis. (608) 3130700 Sun.-Th 4:30-9p.m, Fri-Sat. to 10pm. $$.

Mulligans E Casual/American Pub. 2212 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 963-7869. LD M-Sat 11am-2am, Sun to midnight, F-Sat to 2am. $ Murphy’s Pub & Grill E Casual/Irish-American. 510 S. Perryville Rd., Rockford, (815) 986-0950. LD M-Sat 11am2am, Sun to midnight. $-$$.

Olympic Tavern E Casual/American. 2327 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 962-8758. LD M-Sat 11am-2am. $-$$.

Slanted Shanty Vintage Pub E Upscale-Casual/American. Vintage/Burlesque-themed pub. 6731 Broadcast Pkwy., Loves Park, Ill., (815) 708-7879. D M-Th 3:30pm-11pm, F 11am-midnight, Sat 3:30pm-midnight. $$.

This Is It Eatery E Ribs, burgers, pasta, salads. Tues.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. (815) 616-5449. 16 N. Chicago Ave., Freeport, Ill. $ Vito’s Ristorante E Casual/Italian. Authentic fare from family recipes. Sauces, soups, mama’s meatballs, desserts fresh daily. 1620 N. Bell School Rd., Rockford, (815) 312-5080. LD T-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11pm. $$. ❚

Visit NorthwestQuarterly.com/Dining to See Our Expanded Dining Guide Online

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May 7

T  I

4 Ways to Reduce College Debt Now

C

ollege is a significant investment, but there are ways to reduce the amount of debt you take on when preparing for higher education.

Student loan debt reached $1.2 trillion, according to 2013 estimates from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

“It’s never too late for families of college-bound students to reduce costs, if they consider options well before senior year,” says Cynthia Tidwell, CEO and president of Royal Neighbors of America, one of the first women-led life insurers in the U.S. 1. Earn college credit in high school.

Many high schools offer students the opportunity to earn dual high school and college credit, before college, through advanced placement (AP) courses. You can learn more about AP programs online.

2. Consider a community college. Average annual community college tuition and fees are less than half those at public four-year colleges and universities and one-tenth those at private four-year colleges and universities, according to a 2008 report from the National Center of Education Statistics.

3. Learn about college savings financial options. There are many financial products to help save for college. Under certain circumstances, some colleges lock in tuition for all four years. Certain life insurance policies offer cash savings options to help pay for expenses such as college tuition.

Look for permanent or whole life policies with cash value accumulation options.

4. Research scholarships early. Scholarships are available for traditional and nontraditional students, but don’t wait until senior year to research. Some require organizational membership, volunteer hours, or criteria that may take time for the student to be eligible.

To learn more about scholarships and other member programs available through Royal Neighbors of America, go to royalneighbors.org or call (800) 627-4762. ❚ (Source: Family Features) Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Weekly

May 7

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GLASS SERVICE, INC.

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May 7

Y M

Three Retirement Planning Tips for Boomers T

he economy may be recovering, but some of the changes wrought by the Great Recession are long-lasting. Anyone planning for retirement, no matter their age, needs to take those changes into account, says financial advisor Philip Rousseaux, founder and president of Everest Wealth Management, Inc. “People in their 40s and younger have some time to retool their plan, but Baby Boomers need to think with more

urgency,” says Rousseaux. Having everything in either stocks or short-term savings is a bad idea.

Only 14 percent of Americans are very confident they’ll have enough money to live comfortably in retirement, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute. Here are Rousseaux’s suggestions for ensuring you’re part of that 14 percent.

• Don’t take risks you can’t afford.

“Don’t put the bulk of your assets into anything that makes your principal vulnerable,” says Rousseaux. A portion of your investment should have a guaranteed return.

• Seek guidance from independent financial advisors. This has two bene-

fits: Advisors who aren’t marketing their own products have no conflicts of interest. “You wouldn’t go to a commissioned salesman for advice on buying a hightech product.” Also, independent advi-

sors can tailor more innovative solutions to meet your needs.

• Consider alternatives to the stock market. Today, the public realizes Wall

Street is not a safe retirement plan. Even if it can get you there, it’s not necessarily going to keep you there.

“There are a number of great, safer alternatives,” Rousseaux says. One is fixed, indexed annuities. “You loan an insurance company money and it guarantees you payments over a specified length of time. It’s a contract between you and the company,” he explains.

Fixed-rate indexed annuities have minimum and maximum interest payment that’s linked to a common index, such as the Dow. When the Dow goes up or down, so does the interest rate, but it never goes below the guaranteed minimum or above the guaranteed maximum.

“Your principal is safe and you can ride an up market without the risk,” he says. ❚

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