Smart Living Weekly - April 13, 2016

7 @ y n w ge pa No pa e gs m Se in o av C tS &

Ge ce l Ke

n iving g Smart L ivi ivin ng Weekly Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • Rockford Region/Beloit 95¢ • April 13, 2016

™

Right in Our Region

Emily Bear to Perform With RSO this Month

By Sarah Soenke, deputy editor

O

n April 30th, one of Rockford’s most prolific virtuosos returns for a special performance on the Coronado Performing Arts Center stage. Emily Bear, 14-year-old pianist and composer, joins the Rockford Symphony Orchestra for its final Classic Series concert of the 2015-2016 season.

Starting at 7:30 p.m., the evening is set to display the astounding talent of both Bear and the RSO with challenging and original pieces, including Pyotr Ilyitch Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4, Edvard Grieg’s Piano Concerto, Carl Nielsen’s overture to “Maskarade” and Bear’s “Les Voyages.”

Continued on p. 20

Live a Better Quality of Life Reading & Using Smart Living Weekly Proudly Serving the Needs of 326,000 Neighbors - For Your Home, Health & Fun! Making the Most of Your Closets • Healthful Weeknight Meals • Saving Pets’ Lives The Benefits of Eyelid Surgery • Time to Think Lawncare • Expert Garden Lectures

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In This Issue

Right in Our Region .......................Cover & p. 22 Emily Bear Performs with RSO in April Your Home .................................................. ..... 11 Great Closets are All About Design Inspiration & Worship .....................................12 Linked In, Linked Up Your Kitchen ....................................................15 Good-for-you Weeknight Meals New You for 2016 .............................................17 About Vein Health Your Health ............................................. .........25 Eyelid Surgery Can Improve Vision Your Fun ................................................... ........27

Your Dining ......................................................28 Thrive Cafe at Peak Fitness Your Auto ......................................................... .....29 Drive Better at Any Age Your Pet ...........................................................33 HouseďŹ res Impact Pets, Too

Smart L iving Weekly ™

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes

Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Managing Editor Janine Pumilia Deputy Editor Sarah Soenke Assistant Editor Lindsey Gapen Graphics Director Blake Nunes Graphic Designer Samantha Ryan Contributing Writers Peggy Werner General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes General Manager/Northwest Business Magazine Dave Marino Account Executives Brian Hughes Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes Website www.NWQSmartLiving.com Published by Hughes Media Corp.

222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104 (815) 316-2300, Fax: (815) 316-2301 lhughes@northwestquarterly.com Smart Living Weekly.

Copyright 2016 by Hughes Media Corp., 222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104. 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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Face It, We’re Great

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eople often ask Northwest Quarterly Magazine how we find enough good topics to write about. Our mission, after all, is to identify and explore highlights of our region, from spectacular attractions to interesting people. In fact, the hard part isn’t finding things to write about; the hard part is finding enough space to fit them all. Face it, we’re a great region.

Just in the first few weeks of April, Rockford’s Cheap Trick was inducted to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Too, the UW Health Sports Factory, owned by Rockford Park District, started conducting pre-opening tours. It’ll be one of the largest sports facilities in the Midwest.

In this issue you’ll read about a lecture series coming up at Anderson Japanese Gardens (AJG) that attracts top presenters from around the U.S. First up is Corey Welles, a well-known horticulturist from Santa Barbara, Calif. Not just any garden could attract such an impressive lineup of speakers, but AJG isn’t just any garden; it often ranks as the No. 1 Japanese Garden in North America.

We also just learned that our own Rockford Symphony Orchestra (RSO) conductor, Steve Larsen, was named 2016 Conductor of the Year by the Illinois Council of Orchestras.

It’s very rare for a city our size to keep a star conductor like Larsen aboard for 25 years, but here we are.

Also this month, RSO is teaming up with Rockford native Emily Bear, whose resume at age 14 is the envy of musicians/composers many times her age. She composed her first song at age 3, for Pete’s sake! Read more about her and this special April 30 RSO performance in our cover article.

Our region offers so much to make us proud, if only we have sense enough to realize it. Sharing that viewpoint has been our mission for nearly 12 years now.

Remember that Spring ArtScene is this weekend at 38 venues.

The weather’s finally shaping up, so let’s get out and explore our own backyard! ❚ Janine Pumilia Executive Editor Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Weekly

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O L

Organic Fertilizers: Better for People, Pets, Wildlife

By Peggy Werner

W

e’ve all heard about organic gardening, but what about organic fertilizer?

“Organic fertilizer is really growing in popularity because people are concerned with what chemicals do to their property and the environment,” says Robert Ewald, CEO and president of Ewald Services, Inc., 1119 Turret Drive in Machesney Park. “We’re really seeing a big movement with people wanting healthier but also affordable options.”

To meet the customer demand, Ewald researched products and expanded his 15-year-old landscaping business, Ewald Services, to become the exclusive distributer of SumaGreen by SumaGrow in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin, through his company, JB Green Solutions.

The product allows people to grow plants organically while increasing yields, says Ewald. It also improves nutrient and water uptake; improves root

and plant growth; improves overall soil health; improves taste and crop quality; speeds germination time and removes soil contamination, Ewald says. The product is a little more expensive than chemical fertilizers, but not as expensive as traditional organic products.

Ewald markets the product to farmers, turf companies and homeowners.

“The product is a biological stimulant that puts microbes back into the soil to unlock the nutrients that are already there,” he explains. “The result is that you get a nice green lawn with no chemical additives and low-toxicity weed control,” he says.

“Because I like to do things differently, I looked for options for my customers. I came across this product and was amazed at the results people in all sectors

of life have seen using it, whether growing corn in Ohio or taking care of a lawn in Illinois.

“I researched the product extensively before using it to see how it performed and it gave great results across the board,” says Ewald. “Plus, it’s safer for people, pets and wildlife than traditional fertilizers and is a completely natural product.” ❚

The Yard Care Experts

MOWING FERTILIZING HYDROSEEDING Call Today for a Free Estimate

815.877.3500 EwaldServices.com Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Weekly

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Y H  G

An Organized Home Decreases Your Stress

By Janine Pumilia, managing editor

W

hen Joe Weller began installing closet systems more than 30 years ago, options were pretty limited.

“When I started in this business in 1985, most everything was shelf and pole construction and closet design wasn’t talked about much. That has changed,” says the owner of Shelving & Bath Unlimited, 4337 S. Perryville Road, Cherry Valley, Ill. Today, almost 80 percent of Weller’s customers opt for custom laminate closet systems that look like finished wood cabinets. Along with more than 50 melamine colors and textures, there are also options for granite surfaces, glass shelves, motion-activated LED lighting – even LED lights inside the drawers if you like – built-in mirrors, jewelry trays, removable laundry bags, a fold out ironing board, adjustable cubbies made for shoes, boots and handbags and much more.

“Many people are using fewer or no dressers in their bedrooms and are choosing instead to maximize their closet space,” Weller explains.

While some people go so far as to convert spare bedrooms into luxurious walk-in closets, others double or triple the efficiency of their reach-in closets by having them professionally designed. Either way, it’s the design expertise offered by Shelving Unlimited that makes it possible to meet organization goals.

“It’s all about good design,” says Weller. “You can have the largest Taj Mahal-type closet in the world, but if it’s not functioning well it can become one more mess to deal with. Good organization saves you time and prevents frustration.”

Weller also designs storage solutions for the pantry, garage, laundry room, home office and basement.

“Good organizational design plays a big role in making a home more functional and enjoyable,” he says.

Along with adjustable-shelf laminate storage, Shelving Unlimited offers wireshelving systems by Rubbermaid, the No. 1 brand in the industry. ❚

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

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Linked In – and Up

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orget Facebook, Twitter and the rest of social media. If it’s the Creator of the universe we want to meet, the Bible remains our best bet for a connection.

To believe in Jesus Christ is to believe in the power of scripture. And while some Christians disagree about how to translate various words from the Greek, Aramaic or Hebrew, none deny that scripture is the bedrock of Christianity. Jesus himself quoted it often, to Satan, to his disciples, and to the folks who continually tried to trip him up. He used the same Old Testament scriptures we read today.

“You are in error because you don’t know the Scriptures or the power of God,” he told some bad characters in Matthew 22:29. He could probably say the same thing about most of us today.

Merely listening to what other people say about scripture is no substitute for eyes-to-print reading of it. “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God,” Jesus told Satan, after spending 40 days and nights in the wilderness without food. (Matthew 4:4).

Those who feel intimidated by the heft and unfamiliar writing style of the Bible are encouraged by realizing that the portion most directly related to Christians – the New Testament – is relatively small. All of the Bible is good learning but getting started in the New Testament is a practical idea.

Matthew, Mark, Luke and John teach us about Jesus and his life, death and resurrection from the point of view of firsthand witnesses. They reveal the way he thought and what he valued.

The Book of Acts unfolds exciting stories about the fledgling church.

Romans through Jude are letters written by and about the earliest Christian leaders. They shed light on challenges and solutions experienced by early believers.

Some of these letters are addressed to specific people, others to the church at large – which is us.

States I Thessalonians 2:13 (ESV): “And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.” ❚ -- Janine Pumilia

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Y K

Good-for-You Dinners for Busy Weeknights S ome family meals need to be made quickly, but fast food can actually be made good for you, too.

A meal that includes dairy is right in line with the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which recommend three servings of dairy foods every day. There are many delicious and creative ways to get these servings, such as using plain Greek yogurt in place of mayonnaise or adding healthy forms of cheese.

Beef Burrito with Pepper Jack Cheese and Black Beans Servings: 6

Ingredients:

• 1/2 pound ground beef sirloin • 2 teaspoons minced garlic • 1 cup chunky salsa, divided • 2 cups cooked brown or white rice • 6 whole wheat flour tortillas (9 inches) • 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed, divided • 1 can (11 ounces) corn kernels, drained, divided • 2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese, divided • sliced green onion, including green tops

• 4 slices 12-grain bread, divided • 2 slices white cheddar cheese, divided • 2 slices pepper jack cheese, divided • 2 slices smoked Gouda cheese, divided • 1/2 small avocado, thinly sliced, divided

Directions: In small saucepan over medium heat, combine peach preserves and jalapeno. Stir mixture constantly until preserves are melted. Remove from heat and set aside.

Heat large nonstick or cast iron skillet over medium heat for about 2 minutes. Butter one side each of 2 slices of bread. Turn buttered slices over, buttered side down and spread peach jalapeno jam over second side of each bread slice. On top of jam side of each bread slice, layer 1 slice cheddar cheese, 1 slice pepper jack cheese, half the slices of avocado and 1 slice of Gouda. Spread jam on remain-

ing slices of bread and place jam side on cheese. Spread remainder of butter on bread on top of sandwiches.

Place sandwiches buttered side down in pan, and cook for 1 1/2-2 minutes. Flip sandwiches over with spatula. Partially cover with lid and cook for additional 1 1/2-2 minutes. Remove sandwiches from heat and cut in half. Serve warm. ❚ Source: Family Features

Directions: In medium nonstick skillet, brown ground beef and garlic over medium heat. Drain fat and stir in 1/2 cup salsa; set aside.

Spread 1/3 cup rice in center of tortilla, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Scatter about 2 tablespoons of beans and 1 1/2 tablespoons corn over rice. Spread 1/3 cup beef mixture and 1/4 cup cheese over corn. Top with 2 teaspoons salsa and a few pieces of green onion.

Fold in two opposite edges of tortilla 1 inch each and roll up.

Repeat with remaining tortillas.

Serve with remaining salsa.

Hot and Sweet Grilled Cheese Servings: 4

Peach Jalapeno Jam Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons peach preserves • 1/2 fresh jalapeno, seeded and finely chopped (about 2 teaspoons)

Grilled Cheese Ingredients:

• 1 1/2

tablespoons unsalted butter Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Weekly

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A N Y  

Getting a Leg Up on Good Vein Health

B y To n i R o c h a t’s not unusual for people of all ages to experience aches and pains in their legs after being on their feet all day.

But at some point, the intense continued discomfort that can include heaviness, fatigue, swelling, itching, muscle cramping, restlessness, and pigmentation in the legs and ankles, with or without varicose veins, signals that there may be an underlying cause.

Nearly 25 percent of Americans suffer some form of vein disease. It affects men and women and the disease runs in families and is called “chronic venous insufficiency” or “CVI.” Dr. Tracy Brito MD, Registered Vascular Technologist and specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of vein disorders, provides services to such patients at the InnovaMed Vein Clinic in the Vascular Center at Rockford Health Physicians-Perryville, 3401 N. Perryville Road.

“In the past 10 to 20 years, the public

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has become more informed and educated about vein disease,” Brito says. “Overall, people are becoming more aware that the discomfort and unexplained swelling in their legs may be because of underlying vein disease, whether or not they have visible veins.”

Brito and her team provide specialty evaluation of each patient, utilizing ultrasound to determine whether an underlying medical problem is the cause of their symptoms.

“The first line of care for the patient, when CVI is identified as the cause of symptoms, is for the patient to be placed in correctly fitted compression hose with the appropriate strength as ordered by the physician,” Brito explains.

If this fails to control symptoms, or if the disease is advanced, “fortunately there are advanced, minimally invasive methodologies developed over the past 15 years that have proven effective in treating patients without invasive open surgical stripping procedures,” she says.

The patients are, in most cases, able to return to work right away and experience minimal pain.

“Thanks to growing public awareness of the dangers of undiagnosed vein disease, as well as the minimally invasive options for treatment, more people are enjoying an improved quality of life and are able to do all the things they love,” says Brito.

Patients often are pleasantly surprised to learn that they can find relief from their symptoms and prevent the progression of a treatable condition. ❚

Do You Suffer From the Following Symptoms in Your Legs?

• Aching • Burning • Fatigue

• Heaviness of legs • Itching • Muscle cramping

• Restlessness • Skin pigmentation changes

• Swelling • Throbbing

• Ulceration with or without varicose veins

You may have a medically treatable condition. At InnovaMed Vein Clinic, Dr. Brito treats varicose veins with a minimally invasive procedure that allows the patient to be treated in the office and requires no hospital stay or downtime.

Tracy Brito, M.D. Vein Specialist

For more information, please call the InnovaMed Vein Clinic at (815) 971-2840.

Rockford Health Physicians – Perryville • The Vascular Center • InnovaMed Vein Clinic • 3401 N. Perryville Road Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Weekly

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R  O R

Emily Bear Continued from Cover

“This is the grand finale to our season, so it will be a very festive, celebratory event,” says Michele McAffee, RSO marketing director. “All of the pieces are challenging to play, and Tchaikovsky’s piece is especially stirring and significant. We usually have the biggest orchestra of the year for our final Classics concert.”

Bear adds to the excitement as the night’s guest musician. Born and raised in Rockford, she has been composing since age 3 and performing since age 5.

Bear has played in prestigious concerts around the world, including at the White House, Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl. She became the youngest recipient of the ASCAP Foundation Morton Gould Young Composer Award when she was 6 years old. She put out her first studio album, produced by her mentor Quincy

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Jones, in 2013, and continues to win awards for her composing.

Bear’s original composition, “Les Voyages,” will be the third piece of the concert. It debuted in 2014 when she was 12 years old and made her one of the youngest recipients of the 2016 ASCAP Foundation Young Concert Music Composer of the Year Award. Written for a full concert orchestra, “Les Voyages” draws inspiration from Homer’s “Odyssey” by touching on many steps of Homer’s 10-year voyage home.

“Emily’s a very versatile musician,” McAffee says. “A lot of the recent writing and touring that she does is in the jazz genre, so it’s an exception for Emily to go

April 13

back to her roots and do a symphonic performance. There are only a few national orchestras she’s performed with, and the Rockford Symphony is honored to be one of them.”

This will be Bear’s third official concert with the orchestra, after performing at age 7 in 2009 and again at age 11 in

R  O R 2013. Bear performed Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23 during her debut RSO concert, which music director Steve Larsen believes set a world record. He says he cannot find any evidence of a 7-yearold ever performing an entire Mozart

concerto with a professional orchestra before.

“Larsen has known Emily since she was born, so it’s always special when they do a concert together,” says McAffee.

“The very first piano concerto that Larsen ever conducted was the Grieg concerto, so he’s really excited that it will be Emily’s first performance of that Grieg concerto for this concert.”

The April 30th concert is also significant to Larsen for another reason. The Illinois Council of Orchestras recently announced Larsen as the recipient of the 2016 Conductor of the Year award, making this the third time in his career. An awards panel made up of judges from the council’s board of directors and independent professional musicians select winners from a list of Illinois nominees each

year. The Illinois Council of Orchestras will present the award during the concert.

Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 closes the evening as a much-anticipated pleasure for the RSO to perform, says Larsen. It has long been regarded as the Russian composer’s finest and most popular achievement, the first of his mature symphonies.

Like all performances in the RSO Classics Series, the concert will be preluded by a one-hour SoundBites lecture on April 29 at noon. Larsen will host a Q & A session with guest musician Bear at the Mauh-Nah-Tee-See Country Club, 5151 Guilford Road, Rockford. Admission is free, but reservations are encouraged and can be made by calling the RSO office. An optional lunch buffet will be available for $12 per person.

Tickets for the show range from $7 to $65 and can be purchased in advance or at the door while still available. For more information and to purchase tickets online, visit rockfordsymphony.com. ❚

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Y H

Eyelid Surgery Can Help to Restore Vision S

agging eyelids not only age a person’s face, they can impair vision, too. A functional blepharoplasty – eyelift surgery – can help restore your ability to see clearly.

Eyelid skin is the thinnest skin on your face. It’s the first area to show signs of aging, through bags under the eyes or wrinkled folds of skin on the upper eyelids. Heredity and sun damage accelerate these changes.

Many people have excess skin, fat and muscle removed to create a more alert, youthful appearance. If loose eyelid skin droops low enough, it can rest across the eyelashes, blocking vision and producing eyestrain.

Some patients complain of having to elevate the flaps of skin with their fingertips to see well enough to drive.

Baggy upper or lower eyelids also interfere with wearing glasses and contact lenses.

Other medical conditions that would require functional eyelid surgery include inflammation caused by bacteria and debris trapped underneath the folds of tissue and forehead discomfort from overused muscles that strain to lift sagging eyelid skin.

Most often, blepharoplasties are performed by ophthalmologists, oculoplastic surgeons and cosmetic surgeons on an outpatient basis with local anesthesia alone or combined with a light sedative.

During surgery, incisions are made in the natural folds of the eyelid, in the crease of the upper eyelid and just beneath the lashes or behind the lower eyelid.

Tissue is removed using scalpels, surgical scissors, radiofrequency cutting devices or sometimes cutting lasers. Sutures or tissue adhesives then are applied to smooth and reconfigure areas around the eyebrows and eyelids. Incisions are

virtually unnoticeable after they have healed.

When the edge of the eyelid falls so low that it covers part of the pupil, this may be the result of ptosis (pronounced “toe-sis”). Typically, the tendon of the muscle responsible for lifting the eyelid stretches and the eyelid falls. Ptosis repair requires going deeper into the upper eyelid soft tissue. Tightening the muscle and tendon raises the position of the upper eyelid margin, providing a less obstructed field of view.

Source: Rockford Ambulatory Surgery Center ❚

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Expert Lectures at Anderson Japanese Gardens A long with being one of the most beautiful places in northern Illinois, Anderson Japanese Gardens hosts all kinds of events that are open to the general public. Among these is a series of lectures by experts from across the U.S. Coming up April 21 at 7 p.m. is a lecture titled “Lotusland’s Sustainable Horticulture,” by Corey Welles, the plant healthcare coordinator of the Ganna Walska Lotusland garden in Santa Barbara, Calif.

Ganna Walska Lotusland is a garden focused on ecological balance. Welles’ presentation will cover applied ecology and entomology [the study of insects], organic fertilizers, compost, mulches and other sustainable concepts that are easily applied to home gardening.

Welles is a well-known horticulturalist throughout the botanic gardening world. His 25 years of experience at

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Ganna Walska Lotusland has earned him numerous garden awards and a reputation as a leader in sustainable horticulture. He’s a graduate of the Santa Barbara City College Environmental Horticulture Program with additional studies in botany, zoology, ornithology, entomology, marine biology and leaf litter analysis.

Welles is a leading sustainable horticulture consultant for numerous organizations including the University of California Berkeley Botanic Garden, Descanso Gardens in Los Angeles, The Huntington Garden and the City of Santa Barbara. His public speaking engagements have taken him across the United States addressing groups on how to implement and customize sustainable systems for their landscapes.

As an extension of his lecture, Welles will lead a garden tour exploring sustainable garden concepts on Friday morning,

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April 22, from 9-11 a.m. He’ll discuss how to create landscapes that complement systems that work in harmony with natural elements.

On May 19, Anderson Japanese Gardens will present The Art of Bonsai, a lecture by Ivan Watters, who began studying bonsai gardening in 1987 and opened Yasukunai Bonsai Garden in Morton Grove, Ill., in April of 1996.

The lectures are free to members and cost $5 for non-members. Registration is encouraged but walk-ins are welcome. ❚

Y F

ArtTalks Lecture: Wendy Schaller Crawford April 13, noon. Enjoy lunch and a lecture from Wendy Schaller Crawford, a docent at Milwaukee Art Museum. Her presentation shares insights about fashion and travel in different countries. Rockford Art Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 968-2787, rockfordartmuseum. org.

Green and Gates Concert April 14, 6:30 p.m. Guitar virtuoso Jim Green and blues prodigy Justin Gates dazzle aduiences.

Katie's Cup, 502 Seventh St., Rockford, (815) 986-0628, katiescup.com.

Finding Home: The Immigrant Experience April 14-24, times vary. Journey back to Rockford in 1920 during this theatrical program in the Many Faces, One Community exhibit.

Visitors will meet several characters and discover what life was like for newly arrived immigrant families. Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford, (815) 397-9112 ext. 104, midwayvillage.com.

“Over the Tavern” April 15-May 1, Fri. & Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m.

“Over the Tavern,” Tom Dudzick’s beguiling family comedy, is just what the doctor ordered.

Set in Buffalo, the playwright’s hometown, his story carries us back to that most idealized period of 20th century America – the Eisenhower years of the 1950s – and introduces us to the Pazinskis: Mom, Dad and their four children.

Pec Playhouse Theatre, 314 Main St., Pecatonica, Ill., (815) 239-1210, pecplayhouse.org.

"the

Spring ArtScene April 15-16, Fri. 5-9 p.m., Sat. 4-9 p.m. Spring ArtScene showcases original works of art at 38 venues across the Rockford and Rockford metro area. Enjoy new exhibits and original works of art in varied media of watercolor, acrylic, wood, sculpture, pottery, furniture, jewelry, photography and multimedia. Info: Rockford Area Arts Council, 713 E. State St., (815) 963-6765, springartscene.com.

Michael Carbonaro Live!

April 16, 7:30 p.m. Michael Carbonaro has performed more than 500 comically perplexing and improbable feats of magic on his hit TV series, “The Carbonaro Effect” on truTV. Now, Michael Carbonaro is taking his show on the road. CPAC, Rockford, (815) 968-0595, coronadopac.org.

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Learn how dogs help police fight crime on April 16 at Discovery Center Museum.

Rockford Police K-9 Demonstration April 16, 2 p.m. Watch a Rockford Police Officer and his canine partner demonstrate how dogs help police fight crime. Then, ask questions and meet this trained police dog. Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 9636797, discoverycentermuseum.org.

American Girl Fashion Show April 16-17, Sat. 10:30 a.m. & 2 p.m., Sun. 1 p.m. Celebrate the experience of being a girl, whether yesterday or today, through a colorful presentation of historical and contemporary fashions. Enjoy refreshments and a light lunch, win door prizes and learn how clothing has changed over the years to reflect history, culture and girls' individual styles. Tebala Event Center, 7910 Newburg Road, Rockford, (815) 399-4518, jlrockford.org/store.

Jazz @ Emerson: Al Feeney April 17, 3 p.m. Enjoy the swinging sounds of live jazz, relax with light refreshments, have fun with your friends and meet the artists after the concert. Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center, 420 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 964-9713, mendelssohnpac.org.

RVC Three Choirs Concert April 17, 3 p.m. Rock Valley College presents the Three Choirs Concert with Conductor Paul LaPrade. 2nd Congregational/1st Presbyterian Church, 318 N. Church St., Rockford, rockvalleycollege.edu.

39th Annual Spring Classic April 17, 1 p.m. The annual spring classic is a traditional springtime Sunday afternoon special featuring the “best weekly warriors in the country,” the Big 8 Late Model Series presented

by Gandrud Chevrolet. Rockford Speedway, 9572 Forest Hills Road, Loves Park, Ill., (815) 633-1500, rockfordspeedway.com. ❚ Smart Living Weekly

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High Nutrition Served at Peak’s Thrive Café

By Peggy Werner

P

eak Sports Club, 4401 Peak Drive, Loves Park, is offering yet another way to achieve good health.

Thrive Café opened seven months ago and is open to the public as well as to Peak members. The menu consists primarily of freshly made salads, wraps, Panini sandwiches, cold-pressed juices and smoothies. All homemade items are prepared with fresh ingredients purchased locally.

Jason Rager, owner and operator of Thrive Café, is a personal trainer who emphasizes the nutritional side of fitness.

He says good carbohydrates fuel a workout and protein and other nutrient-rich foods like fruits and vegetables help the body recover and repair after strenuous activity.

Rager describes the freshly made cold-pressed juices and smoothies as a

Smoothies are made with the whole fruit, giving the consumer the benefit of fiber, which is more filling. It allows for a slower release of sugar into the bloodstream and is good roughage. Because smoothies are blended, you can add other ingredients like nuts and seeds that can’t go through a juicer.

Either way, people get daily servings of fruits and vegetables they otherwise might not consume, which helps to protect the human body from disease.

Thrive Café is open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday; from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and closed Sunday. ❚

“meal-in-a-cup” because of the quantity of fruits and vegetables used in each 16-oz serving. Making the drinks on the spot allows for optimum nutrition you can’t find in processed foods.

Juicing extracts the liquid from fruits and vegetables, leaving the fiber behind. Without the fiber, it’s easier to consume lots of fruits and vegetables and quickly get essential vitamins, minerals and enzymes into the blood stream for an energy burst.

“Juicing changes the body at a cellular level. With new cells being generated all of the time and getting the nutrients they need, the body just functions better,” he says. ❚

Top Picks for Local Restaurants Arturo’s Mexican Restaurant E Casual/Authentic Fresh Mexican. 107 W. Main St., Poplar Grove, Ill., (815) 765-1144.

LD M 11am-8pm; Tue-Th 11am-9pm; Fri 11am-10pm; Sun noon-8pm. $.

Bravo Pizza E Italian/American. 376 Prairie Hill Rd., South Beloit, (815) 624-7900. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat 11pm. $.

Cannova’s Italian Cuisine E Casual. 1101 W. Empire St., Freeport, (815) 233-0032. D T-Th, Sun 5-9pm; F-Sat 10pm. $-$$.

Ciao Bella Ristorante E Upscale-Casual/Italian-American.

Extensive wine list; daily specials. 6500 E. Riverside, Loves Park, (815) 654-9900. LD M-F 11am-9pm, Sat 5-9pm, Sun 4-7:30pm.

Costa’s Ristorante E Upscale-Casual. 133 Blackhawk Dr., Byron, Ill., (815) 234-4707. Open daily 4pm. $-$$.

Dos Reales E Casual/Mexican. Authentic Mexican fare, lunch menu. 5855 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 227-4979. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 10:30pm. $-$$.

Giordano’s Famous Stuffed Pizza E Casual/Italian. Pick-up/ delivery. 333 Executive Pkwy., Rockford, Ill. (815) 398-5700.

LD Sun-Th 9am-11pm; F-Sat to midnight. $.

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

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Main Street Bistro E Casual/Fine dining. Th&Sat. 109 S. Galena, Freeport, (815) 232-2322. M-Sat 2pm-midnight. $$.

Maciano’s Pizza & Pastaria E Casual. Beer/wine. 6746 Broadcast Pkwy., Loves Park, (815) 963-7869. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat 11pm. $$.

Maxson Riverside Restaurant E Casual/American. 1469 IL Route 2, Oregon, Ill., (800) 468-4222. LD M-Sat 11am-8pm, Br Sun 10am-3pm. $$.

Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint E Fine Dining. Ironworks Hotel, 500 Pleasant St., Beloit, Wis. (608) 313-0700. D Sun.Th 4:30-9pm, Fri-Sat. 10pm. $$.

Napoli Pizzeria III & Top Dollar Slots E Takeout/delivery.

6560 N. Alpine, Loves Park, (815) 877-9888. LD daily 11am.

Prairie Street Brewhouse E Upscale-Casual/American. 200 Prairie St., Rockford, (815) 277-9427. LD Sun-W 11am-10pm, Th to midnight, F-Sat to 2am. $-$$.

Tavern on Clark E Casual/American. 755 Clark Ave., Rockford, (815) 708-7088. LD daily 10am. $-$$.

Thrive Café E Healthful, fresh salads, wraps, sandwiches, smoothies and cold-pressed juices. Inside Peak Fitness, 4401 Peak Drive, Loves Park. 6 am-8 pm Mon-Fri.; 8 am-2 pm Sat.; Closed Sundays.

This Is It Eatery E Casual/American. 16 N. Chicago Ave., Freeport, (815) 616-5449. LD T-Th 11am-8pm, F-Sat 10pm. $. ❚

April 13

In the Spotlight Bravo Pizza

W

ith more than 40 years in the restaurant business, Joe Ocello knows how to create an authentic dining experience. Since opening the first Bravo Pizza & Italian Restaurant location in 2001 with wife Francesca, the couple has been refining its classic Italian fare.

Most items are made from scratch, ensuring a home-made meal with fresh ingredients. The Italian beef, served au jus or with tomato meat sauce, was named Best in the Stateline by MyStateline.com in 2013. Top sellers include Italian meatball sandwiches, fettucine Alfredo and fish specials.

“We make it all ourselves. Each meatball is about a quarter pound apiece, so they’re huge,” says Ocello.

Bravo has locations in South Beloit and Poplar Grove. Both offer a full-service bar, catering, carry-out and delivery services.

Learn more at Bravopizzarestaurant.com. ❚

Y A C

Drive Better at Any Age by Using Technology W hile cars today may not look much different from previous model years, the latest technology is helping to save lives. One in five injury crashes could be prevented or reduced if all passenger vehicles were equipped with specific types of technology, according to a study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

In the past, safety features were geared toward protecting drivers and passengers during a crash. Now, newer vehicle technologies have the potential to prevent a collision altogether. Many are already on the market, including:

• Blind-spot warning systems warn drivers of objects in blind spots, especially while changing lanes and parking.

• Back-up cameras warn of objects behind the vehicle to help drivers judge distances and reverse more safely. (All cars will be required to have these by 2018.)

• Smart headlights adjust range and intensity of light based on the distance of traffic and reduce glare and improve night vision.

* Collision avoidance systems alert the driver when the vehicle may be in danger. * Lane departure warnings monitor the vehicle’s position and warn the driver if the vehicle deviates outside the lane. * Parking assistance indicates distance to objects, making parking easier, or may enable vehicles to park on their own. * Adaptive cruise control allows the car to adjust its speed depending on traffic.

“As these technologies become more widely available, it’s important all drivers learn how they work and how to use them effectively,” says Jodi Olshevski, gerontologist and executive director of The Hartford Center for Mature Market Excellence. “This is especially true for mature drivers, as many technologies can enhance the driving experience as we age.”

Drivers ages 50 to 69, according to a new study from The Hartford and the MIT AgeLab, are most willing to adopt these technologies: 1) blind-spot warning systems, 2) back-up cameras, 3)

smart headlights, 4) collision avoidance systems, and 5) lane departure warnings.

A majority of participants indicated they’re willing to purchase these five technologies, are likely to use them and think they’re worth having.

Staying current on the latest features available and using them appropriately may help all drivers, including mature drivers, to stay safe behind the wheel. Learn more by downloading a free vehicle technology guidebook; take an interactive video quiz at thehartford. com/cartech. ❚ Source: BPT

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Pricing Selling The Most Powerful Tool For Buying Your Next Home The Gambino Realtors Mobile App! Access to the most comprehensive and accurate real estate listings is now at your fingertips.

Download it today from the App Store!

Type in Gambino Realtors and download.

1.815.282.2222

Mortgage Advisor 15 Yr Fixed

Lenders Byron Bank

Rate

byronbank.com

APR*

(815) 234-2561 Mo. Payment*

30 Yr Fixed

30 Yr Jumbo FHA/VA & ARM

2.73%

3.49%

3.25%

$965.68

$639.09

$631.02

3.107%

4.020%

4.294%

Please Call

Smart Living Weekly Magazine’s Mortgage Advisor is intended to provide you with a guide to securing the mortgage you seek. Quoted rates are supplied by the institutions (as of April 11, 2016) and can change daily. Interest rates and monthly payment installments are based on a $150,000 loan with a 5% down payment and 0 points; FHA with a 3.5% down payment and 0 points. APR is based on a good faith estimate of prepaid finance charges. Your APR will vary according to the specifics of your transactions. Contact the bank, credit union or S&L directly for their most current rates. The mortgage rate you obtain will be based upon your credit rating, loan amount and standing with that particular financial institution. * APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Mo. Payment = The monthly principal and interest payment.

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Y P

Pets Need Help During House Fires, Too

By Peggy Werner

W

hen a home catches on fire, people aren’t the only ones who face lifeand-death scenarios. Smoke inhalation can quickly overtake a pet.

That’s why Project Breathe was developed by the Invisible Fence company, which supplies pet oxygen mask kits to fire departments and first responders.

“When a house is on fire, everyone is frightened. In the midst of all the confusion, pets can be left behind – or they can be the only ones at home. If an animal doesn’t die in a fire, there’s a good chance of being revived with a flow of oxygen,” says Joyce Brennan, owner of Invisible Fence in Crystal Lake.

Although there are no official statistics on how many pets die in fires, it’s estimated that from tens of thousands to more than 100,000 pets succumb to smoke inhalation every year.

In many states, firefighters and

first responders lack the equipment and know-how to save the lives of pets, says Brennan.

Through Project Breathe, each first response vehicle or rescue team gets one kit that includes a small, medium, and large oxygen mask.

Project Breathe also enlists the help of local veterinarians to train people on how to use and clean the masks, and how to obtain a pet’s vital signs.

“Most fire departments are happy to get the kits. They’re in the business of saving lives, and that can include family pets,” Brennan says.

For more information on how to get involved with Project Breathe, call Invisible Fence of Northwestern Illinois at (815) 477-1092.

Invisible Fence of Northwestern Illinois, 4410 Route 176 in Crystal Lake, specializes in the installation of pet fences, dog training, and a full line of products for dogs and cats inside and outside the home. ❚

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