Smart Living Weekly - February 5, 2014 by Northwest Quarterly Mag

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Save Smarter • Live Better • Rockford Region/Freeport 95¢ • February 19, 2014

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Right in Our Region

Disney Dreams Come Alive on Ice

By Chris Linden, managing editor

hildren and parents, it’s time to celebrate your favorite Disney moments, as Mickey Mouse and more than 60 of his friends visit Rockford’s BMO Harris Bank Center from Feb. 27 through March 2. The Disney On Ice: 100 Years of Magic tour features Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and

Donald Duck in a two-hour performance that includes sing-along moments from 18 popular Disney films. Characters such as Lumiere, from Beauty & The Beast, join the stars of Pinocchio, Finding Nemo, Toy Story, The Lion King and Mulan – among others – in a series of musical numbers on ice. Continued on p. 20

• Get All the SAVINGS You Deserve from Local Businesses

Eat Well from the Freezer • Why Choosing Credit Over Debit is Safer • How Cold Weather Impacts Tires Kitchen Appliance Color Trends • Apply for Illinois Art Grants

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Feb. 19

W e ’ r e h e r e , f o r yo u.

Area’s best in patient safety FHN Memorial Hospital was recently recognized for a second year for our patient safety record by the world’s largest independent, non-profit product-

We at FHN are committed to a safe patient experience, and are proud that

and service-testing organization. In their second U.S. study, in which safety scores were calculated for nearly 2,000 hospitals, only 6% nationwide – and only four hospitals in Illinois – earned a score

FHN Memorial Hospital, which scored higher than any other hospital close to the communities it serves.*

as high or higher as

It is our goal to offer our communities the best possible healthcare services we can provide, and recognition such as this confirms our commitment to your confidence in our processes and capabilities. Whether you need surgery, cancer treatment or other specialty care close to home, a hand in welcoming a new baby into your life, help in handling a chronic health condition, or emergency care,

choose the best in the area for patient safety: FHN.

For more information, visit www.fhn.org or call 1-877-6000-FHN (1-877-600-0346).

* Within a 50-mile radius of Freeport

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Feb. 19

In This Issue

“You’re telling me...

NO GLASSES

Right in Our Region: .....................Cover & p. 20 Disney on Ice: 100 years of Magic

after Cataract Surgery?”

Your Home ........................................................11 Kitchen Appliance Color Trends Inspiration & Worship .....................................12

“Could It Work For You?” “BEST MOVE I’VE MADE TO IMPROVE MY LIFE! I CAN READ THE TELEPHONE BOOK AGAIN! BLOWS MY MIND!”

“I’M READING AND DRIVING WITHOUT GLASSES! GAVE ME BACK THE DESIRE TO BE AN ARTIST AGAIN!” Simon Campa / Chrysler Employee

Colette Rudis / ER Clerk

“ABSOLUTELY AMAZED - READING 20/20! FIRST TIME IN 50 YEARS I DIDN’T HAVE TO USE GLASSES” Marvin Maaske / School Superintendant

“I JUST TELL EVERYBODY ABOUT THE LENSES, THEY ARE MARVELOUS! I NEVER NEED GLASSES AGAIN!” Vicky Schluckebier / Special Needs Paraprofessional

Your Kitchen .................................................... 15 Eat Well from Your Freezer Auto Tips ..........................................................17 What’s With that Tire Pressure Light? Your Health ...................................................... 25 There Will Be Blood, Thanks to Regular Donors Your Fun ........................................................... 27 Local Dining .................................................... 29 Tips ................................................................... 31 How to Apply for Local Arts Grants Your Money ...................................................... 33 Why Choosing ‘Credit’ is Safer than ‘Debit’

815-226-1500

Smart L iving Weekly

www.millereyecenter.com

Executive Editor Janine Pumilia

2995 EASTROCK DRIVE • ROCKFORD, IL 61109

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Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes

Managing Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden

FREE SEMINAR! College Planning 101: Financial Aid Options, the FAFSA & More

Associate Editor/Special Projects Editor Karla Nagy Senior Staff Writer/Promotions Coordinator Paul Anthony Arco Graphics Director Blake Nunes Graphic Designer Samantha Ryan Contributing Writer Jim Killam General Sales Manager Brent Hughes

Financial education is a key ingredient to any college prep. Knowing your options for student financial aid is an important first step. Reserve your seat now for this informational presentation.

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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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Walt’s Legacy

“A

man should never neglect his family for business,” said the late Walt Disney (1901-1966). Plenty of men – and women – will have the chance to take his advice when Rockford welcomes Disney on Ice: 100 Years of Magic, for seven performances Feb. 27 through March 2. And, really, who couldn’t use a dose of colorful Disney optimism about now? Cabin fever is spreading faster than you can say “Zipa-dee-do-dah.” The name of the show is a bit confusing, since it began, in 1999, to commemorate what would have been Walt Disney’s 100th birthday, in 2001, and has been running ever since. Disney was a Chicago native who dropped out of high school to join the army, but wound up driving a Red Cross ambulance in 1918 France, instead. The real-life ups and downs that led to his commercial and artistic success make his biography exciting reading. Although he died 48 years ago, his impact on American culture just keeps snowballing. I grew up singing “It’s a Small World After All” and songs from Jungle Book and The Aristocats. My kids were raised on Lion King, Toy Story and 101 Dalmations. We all swooned over Beauty and the Beast and my 22-year-old is now raving about the 2013 release, Frozen. Disney ﬂlms have inspired some wonderful music, and it will ﬂll the BMO Harris Bank Center during upcoming performances. Online reviews from folks who’ve attended this show elsewhere speak of the high level of skating skills on display, and the general sense of optimism that all ages take home with them. “You’re dead if you aim only for kids. Adults are only kids grown up, anyway,” Disney once said. Thanks, Walt, for reminding us that a sense of wonder and possibility is important to all of us, at any age. Enjoy the show! Janine Pumilia, Executive Editor Smart Living Weekly

Feb. 19

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Y H  G

Basic Appliance Colors Stand the Test of Time By Jim Killam

ook online and on trendy TV shows and you’ll see a rainbow of designer colors for appliances. The sales ﬂoor is another story, says Darwyn Guler, owner of Guler Appliance, 227 7th St., Rockford. “That never really did take off,” he says. Henry Ford was famous for saying, “People can have the Model T in any color – so long as it’s black.” The appliance world has done Mr. Ford slightly better over the years, but go to most stores and you’ll still see a lot of white, black and stainless steel – tones that go with just about any decor. Stainless steel remains a strong seller, but increasing numbers of people have wanted something that showed fewer ﬁngerprints and was more resistant to scratching from things like magnets. General Electric in 2012 introduced Slate

as an alternative to stainless steel, Guler says, adding that it’s received an almost 75 percent approval rating for cleanability and appearance. It’s a warm, low-gloss gray that goes well with most colors of cabinets or granite countertops. “GE can hardly keep up with the demand for Slate,” he says. “If 10 people walked in, one might buy a speciﬁc color, but ﬁve of them are buying Slate.” The trend toward various shades of gray in kitchen design plays a role in that. Rachael Ray’s Slate GE refrigerator on her TV cooking show doesn’t hurt demand, either. Those rainbow colors cost more to produce in smaller numbers, and add to the cost of an appliance. In good economic times, that’s not such a big factor. A lot of design thought can go into a new or remodeled kitchen or laundry room.

In a difﬁcult economy, people buy appliances when they need to, Guler says – especially washers and dryers. Either a machine has broken down or the people are buying a set for the ﬁrst time. If it’s a breakdown, that’s usually an unexpected expense, so unnecessary extra costs aren’t so popular. ❚ Get SLW Home & Garden articles every week. Visit NWQSmartLiving. com and start your E-Edition today.

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Feb. 19

I  W

Jesus the Teacher This series looks at qualities exempliﬁed by Jesus Christ when he was on earth.

esus was well studied in scripture, often reciting it verbatim to friends and enemies alike, but he didn’t behave like a “know it all.” He was excellent at communicating to people on their own level and making his message relevant to them. He seldom assumed a formal teaching stance; he often taught in the course of daily life. Jesus used stories to illustrate points, and drew from objects and situations familiar to people. If anyone had a right to be condescending, Jesus did; but he wasn’t. He concerned himself with changing hearts, not wielding power, although his listeners perceived that he “spoke as one with authority.” (Matthew 7:28 & 29.) Here is just one example of Jesus using effective teaching techniques: “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They don’t labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that’s how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you – you of little faith! Don’t set your heart on what you will eat or drink; don’t worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. Don’t be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Luke 12:27-34). Here, Jesus conjures images of natural beauty, regal King Solomon, treasure safe from moths and thieves, and a little flock kept in God’s tender care. He also confronts their lack of faith. The root word “teach” is found nearly 100 times throughout the gospels, in noun and verb forms. Jesus well understood the old adage: “They don’t care what you know until they know that you care.” He cared enough to give his life for his ‘students,’ and cares no less for all of us who follow him today. ❚ --Janine Pumilia 12

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Y K

You Can Eat Nutritiously From Your Freezer F ew would argue about the importance of eating a nutritious, balanced diet. Unfortunately, not everyone knows how. In fact, more than half of Americans surveyed by Nestlé and Harris Interactive say they’re unaware of MyPlate, the dietary guidelines from the USDA (choosemyplate.gov) that recommend what foods you should eat daily, and in what proportions, to be properly nourished. According to the NPD Group’s National Eating Trends database, consumers only come close to meeting dietary guidelines seven of 365 days per year, in part because of confusion about portion sizes. This confusion, along with the idea that a balanced diet shouldn’t feel like a chore, led Nestlé to create the Balance Your Plate program. It helps you to create balanced, perfectly portioned meals that include the foods you love while meeting MyPlate guidelines. The program uses frozen prepared entrées as the center of the plate and augments them with other fresh and canned foods. They’re a great way to get a jump start on creating a balanced meal, and all of the math has been done for you. At meals.com/balance, you’ll ﬁnd two weeks of nutritious, balanced menus that meet MyPlate recommendations. Each day includes one to two frozen prepared meals and provides around 2,000 calories. For those trying to lose weight by eating less calories per day, the website modiﬁes MyPlate formulas for a 1,500 or 1,800 daily calorie diet – all while meeting the dietary guideline recommendations. Here is an example from the 2,000 per day meal plan: Breakfast • Breakfast burrito made with: One 6-inch corn tortilla, 1 scrambled egg, 2 Tb. shredded Cheddar cheese, 1/4 C. no-salt-added canned black beans, 2 Tb. chopped tomatoes • 1 C. fresh cantaloupe cubes • 1 cup coffee

Lunch • 1 LEAN CUISINE® Asian Style Chicken Salad Additions with 3 C. romaine lettuce and 1/2 oz. slivered almonds • 2 oz. whole grain roll with 2 tsp. margarine • 1 C. pineapple-orange juice

Dinner • 1/6 DIGIORNO® Rising Crust Pizza – Pepperoni • 1/2 C. baby carrots with 2 Tb. hummus • 1 C. canned peaches, in juice • 1 C. low-fat milk Snack • 1 C. low-fat chocolate milk • 4 graham cracker squares

For more Daily Meal Plan suggestions and nutrition information, check out meals.com/balance. ❚ (Source:Family Features) Get SLW Kitchen articles every week. Visit NWQSmartLiving. com and start your E-Edition today.

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Y A C

What’s with that Tire-Pressure Warning Light? ByJim Killam

old weather means a drop in a vehicle’s tire pressure, says Rod Ely, Service and Parts Director at Fairway Ford, 555 West Meadows Drive, Freeport. Tire pressure can fall as much as ﬁve pounds when the weather gets cold – especially if the temperature drops quickly. “In newer vehicles, a tire-pressure alert light activates whenever the sensor registers an increase or decrease of at least three pounds per square inch,” Ely says. “So, typically, on a cold morning where the temperature has dropped dramatically overnight, that light comes on.” As you drive, tires warm up and air pressure increases; it’s the same principle as steam inside a pressure cooker. If the pressure is OK once the tires warm, the warning light usually will turn off once you’ve driven several miles, Ely says.

But, he adds, after any time the light has turned on, it’s a good idea to check tire pressure with a gauge. “Don’t just assume it’s the cold temperatures,” he says. “Look a tire over to be sure there’s not a nail or a screw in it.” If a tire continually needs air, it either has something sharp embedded in it or it has a rim leak. During Midwestern winters, rim leaks are common, Ely says. Sand and salt force their way between the tire edge and the wheel rim, and eventually cause rust. That in turn can allow air to escape slowly. Even without warning lights, drivers should check their tire pressure every two to four weeks. “Having a $2.99 tire gauge

could save you a lot in the long run,” Ely says. If you can’t do it yourself, most dealerships, service centers or tire stores perform that service for free. On most vehicles, the tire-pressure light will turn off once air has been added and you’ve driven a couple of miles. Some require a technician to reset it; check your owner’s manual. ❚

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Feb. 19

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Disney On Ice Continued from Cover Adapted from ﬁlm by choreographer Sarah Kawahara, these acts display elaborate ﬁgure skating routines, with characters in impressive costumes. Kawahara, an Emmy Award-winner, has worked with two-time Olympic champion Michelle

Smart Living Weekly

Kwan, and choreographed a skating segment during the opening ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. With a cast of about 40, Disney On Ice includes nearly 150 costumes, created from shiny, ﬂexible materials and assembled by more than 1,000 designers at ﬁve costume shops. Details such as ironon sequins and heat-pressed rhinestones add glimmer and sparkle against the ice. Beneath the grand costumes is a cast of talented skaters from around the world. Hailing from as far as Japan, Brazil and Ukraine, and as close as California and Tennessee, they’re a diverse bunch, and many have been skating for much of their lives. Natasha Kuchiki, from Canoga Park, Calif., practically grew up on the ice,

Feb. 19

first learning to skate at the age of one. Both her mother and father were longtime members of Ice Capades, a theatrical figure skating show. As a skater, Kuchiki has ranked in several world and national championships, including finishing sixth in the 1992 Winter Olympics. A member of Disney on Ice since 1998, Kuchiki currently appears on ice as Mulan. “I like being able to reach the crowd and pull them in, so they understand the role I’m playing,” she says. “When I see just one audience member looking at me the way I want them to, then I know I’ve got them and that’s fulfilling.” The 100 Years of Magic show isn’t the only Disney on Ice performance touring the country. Currently, four other shows celebrate Disney characters, in spectaculars such as the Passport to Adventure, the Princesses and Heroes, and the Let’s Celebrate. The 100 Years of Magic show is now in its 15th year of touring throughout the U.S. and the world. Started in 1999, it pays homage to

R  O R late animator Walt Disney’s 100th birthday. He was born in Chicago in 1901. For the performers beneath the costumes, this is a highly athletic show. Many of them, including principal skater Jamie Loper, have a background in both skating and other sports. The Wilmington, Del., native is also an avid soccer player, ﬁnding time to play wherever the tour takes him. He also maintains a few athletic superstitions before each performance. “I keep the same routine with every show,” he writes in company publicity. “That is where I ﬁnd consistency in my performing.” A member of the Disney on Ice team since 1996, Loper has traveled to some 38 countries on tour, and performed in shows for Pocahontas and Beauty & the Beast.

Like the Disney ﬁlm, this show and its set pieces are a magical production. The set is anchored by a fairy tale castle that weighs 10 tons, and during the Pinocchio number, a 36-foot-long whale actually slithers across the ice. During the It’s a Small World number, 33 detailed, moving dolls dance atop hydraulically equipped ﬂoats reminiscent of Walt Disney World Resort. The producer behind Disney On Ice is no stranger to elaborate, magical productions. Feld Entertainment, based in Florida, also owns the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus, a traveling family-friendly event that’s entertained America for longer than Walt Disney. Feld also operates the Disney Live tour,

which puts adored Disney characters on the stage with non-costumed performers, for musical stories and plenty of special effects. Last year, the Disney Live: Mickey’s Music Festival stopped by Rockford Principal skater Kate Guathier began her Disney on Ice experience in 2007, as a cast member of the High School Musical tour. The Alberta, Canada, native has competed at the Canadian nationals, and is also active in acting, dancing, hiking and yoga. “It takes all types of people to make a world and a cast,” she says. “So, be yourself and get out there, and there will surely be a place for you.” After it packs up from Rockford, the tour heads to Pennsylvania, before visiting Colorado, Arizona, California, Nevada and Texas. Around this time next year, the tour concludes appearances in Belgium. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit thebmoharrisbankcenter.com. ❚

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Feb. 19

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Y H

Regular Blood Donors Keep System Working

By Jim Killam

ocal or national emergencies may get people thinking about donating blood, but that’s not what sustains the system, says Jennifer Bowman, public relations and marketing manager for the Rock River Valley Blood Center, 419 N. 6th St., Rockford. “Emergencies don’t create lifelong donors,” she says, “and that’s really what the community blood supply needs: committed, dedicated, regular blood donors.” Blood that was transfused to patients on Sept. 11, 2001, for instance, was donated days or weeks before that. The same is true of more common scenarios, like trauma from vehicle, home or workplace accidents. RRVBC has full-time people, day and night, in contact with the eight area hospitals it serves. Together with hospital staff, they assign blood based on need and anticipated need, which is then driv-

en by couriers to the hospitals. “Most of it you can’t plan for,” Bowman says. “Blood has to be here, typed, tested, collected already and on the shelves when that car accident happens, so when the call comes in it can go out.” RRVBC tries to collect about 1,000 units of blood each week. Typically, negative blood types are the most in-demand – especially O negative because it’s the universal donor and only 7 percent of the U.S. population has it. But no eligible donor of any blood type is turned down. Donating whole blood at one of RRVBC’s locations, or at a blood drive, takes about an hour, Bowman says. That includes a health history questionnaire, a mini-physical exam, the donation process and refreshments afterward. Donating platelets – always a huge need, especially among cancer patients – takes a little longer.

People who are at least 17 years old (16 with parental consent), who weigh at least 110 pounds and are in general good health are usually eligible to donate blood every eight weeks. More donor eligibility guidelines are available at: https://www.rrvbc.org/blood-donor-eligibility. ❚

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Y F

Band Perry Feb. 20, 7:30 p.m. Fronted by Kimberly Perry and rounded out by her younger brothers Reid and Neil, the band has notched a string of hit singles, including “If I Die Young,” “You Lie,” and “All Your Life.” BMO Harris Bank Center, Rockford, thebmoharrisbankcenter.com. Carrie Rodriguez Feb. 21, 7 p.m. This Texas fiddler, singer and songwriter will perform at Severson Dells Forest Preserve, 8502 Montague Road, Winnebago, Ill., (815) 335-2915, seversondells.com. Jabali African Acrobats Feb. 22, 2-3 p.m. Direct from Mombassa, Kenya, their performance includes acrobats, contortions, tumbling, human pyramids, chair balancing, dance and comedy. Nordlof Center, Rockfordpubliclibrary.org. Discover Engineering Feb. 22, 11 a.m. Dozens of professional engineers from local firms provide hands-on experiences. Meet high school robotics teams; build your own edifice; much more. Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 963-6769, discoverycentermuseum.org. Beloit International Film Festival Thru Feb. 23, see beloitfilmfest.org for schedule, venues and ticket information. Nearly 100 international, national and regional films will be celebrated. Solid Gold ’60s Feb. 1-23, see website for dates/times. Music and comedy from the era’s biggest names: Beatles, Beach Boys, Rolling Stones, the Rat Pack, Laugh-In, The Smothers Brothers, Sonny and Cher. Fireside Dinner Theatre, Hwy. 26, Ft. Atkinson. (800) 477-9505, firesidetheatre.com. The Foreigner Thru Feb. 23, Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. This comic play demonstrates what can happen when a group of devious characters must deal with a stranger who (they think) knows no English. Pec Playhouse Theatre, 314 Main St., Pecatonica, (815) 239-1210, pecplayhouse.org. American Aquarium Feb. 26, 7 p.m. This band from Raleigh, NC, plays good old Southern country rock & roll. Severson Dells, Winnebago, (815) 335-2915. Heartbreak House Feb. 27-March 2, Thurs.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Author George Bernard Shaw’s favorite

Enjoy Sock Monkey Madness at Midway Village Museum on March 1 & 2.

play, set in the English countryside. Maddox Theatre, Rockford University, 5050 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 226-4032. “Disney on Ice: 100 Years of Magic” Feb. 27-March 2, see website for times. See 65 of Disney’s unforgettable characters, from 18 shows, come to life: Pinocchio, Finding Nemo, The Lion King, Mulan, Toy Story and more. BMO Harris Bank Center, Rockford, thebmoharrisbankcenter.com. See our cover story. Mary Poppins Feb. 27-April 20, see website for times. Direct from Broadway and the national tour, The Fireside’s production features well-known songs, high-stepping dance, magic and mirth. Fireside, Fort Atkinson, Wis., ﬁresidetheatre.com. Sock Monkey Madness Festival March 1 & 2, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. This one-of -a-kind annual event highlights Rockford’s once-thriving knitting industry, symbolized by the pop culture iconic stuﬀed sock monkey toy made from Rockford Red Heel Socks. Make and take sock monkeys and crafts; stories; food for sale; activities. Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford. Midwayvillage.com. Lindo Theatre: Run Silent Run Deep March 5, 1 & 7 p.m. Part of an ongoing classic World War 2 series, about the captain of a submarine sunk by the Japanese, whose single-minded determination for revenge against the destroyer that sunk his previous vessel puts his new crew in unnecessary danger. Optional guided discussion to follow. Little Red School House Revisited March 7-9, check website for times. An original piece of 1900s Americana and the three Rs, geography, spelling bees, music appreciation and even recess. Mighty Richland Players, IOOF/ Masonic Hall, 203 W. High St., Orangeville, Ill. (815) 819-1310, mightyrichlandplayers.com. ❚

Smart Living Weekly

Feb. 19

Smart Living Weekly

Feb. 19

T  I

Apply Now for Art Access Grants

he Freeport Art Museum recently announced the award of three grants totaling $2,250 in support of unique programming that increases public access to the arts. More grant money is available in a second cycle for artists and not-forprofit arts organizations in Stephenson, Jo Daviess, Carroll, Ogle and Lee counties. Applications are due April 4, 2014 for projects taking place between April 31 and Dec. 31, 2014. Community Arts Access grants are available for visual, musical, performing, literary and interdisciplinary arts projects that provide community-based programming. Projects should employ artists from the northwest Illinois area and serve diverse and underserved audiences. Applicants are encouraged to seek funding from a variety of sources. For assistance with completing a grant application or questions regarding the program, please contact the Freeport Art Museum at (815) 235-9755 and ask for Director Jessica J. Caddell. Grant applications and guidelines are available for download from the Freeport Art Museum website at freeportartmuseum.org or can be requested by calling the museum at (815) 235-9755. Completed proposals are due no later than 4 p.m. on April 4, 2014. The Galena Center for the Arts was awarded $650 for an exhibition due to open in April that celebrates the photographic collection of Alfie Mueller (19092004) documenting the history of Galena and $750 was awarded to artist Linda Vietmeyer for a project titled HeART of Healing, designed to offer students attending Orangeville grade schools opportunities to create a heart-themed works of art. The works will be offered for sale with the proceeds benefitting one of the healing programs at FHN, a co-sponsor of the project. The Next Picture Show in Dixon is awarded $850 for Art on the Square, a community festival that invites kids and adults alike to paint a section of sidewalk surrounding the courthouse square. ❚

Smart Living Weekly

Feb. 19

ComEd Classic Series Saturday, March 8, 2014, 7:30 p Coronado Performing Arts Center

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Smart Living Weekly

Feb. 19

Smart Living Weekly

Feb. 19

Y M

Credit or Debit? Always Choose Credit By Jim Killam

hen retailers suffer security breaches, some of the ﬂrst things cyber-thieves are looking for are the fourdigit PINs that customers entered when paying with their debit cards. Lori Perkins, Director of Marketing at Rock Valley Credit Union, 1201 Clifford Ave., Loves Park, offers this advice: When you use a debit card that accesses your checking account and you have a choice of credit or debit, always select credit. Exceptions would be a few area grocery stores that require the card to be used as debit, or if you need cash back. When you select “credit” instead of debit, the money coming out of your account is the same. However, when you sign the credit receipt, the transaction runs through the VISA network which provides you with zero-liability protection, Perkins says. Choosing credit usu-

ally offers a higher level of security and fraud protection. “By selecting the “credit” option over the debit and ultimately signing for the transaction, you are protecting yourself with your ﬂnancial institution,” she says. According to credit.com, generally you won’t be out the money if someone compromises your debit card and raids your account, but it might take a few days for that to get straightened out. And you might not have access to your money during that time. Even when a store or restaurant doesn’t visibly offer the credit-or-debit choice, customers should ask. “Certain stores automatically prompt you to do the four-digit PIN,” Perkins says. “You have to actually say, ‘I want this ran as a credit.’

“Unless you absolutely need cash back at the store, never hit ‘debit.’” ❚

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Smart Living Weekly

Feb. 19

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Feb. 19

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Smart Living Weekly

Issue 1