Smart Living Weekly - October 26, 2016

Smart L iving Weekly Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • Rockford Region/Freeport 95¢ • October 26, 2016

™

Right in Our Region

Lifesaving Health Advice Women Need to Hear See Page 20

Halloween & Harvest Events Plant Spring Bulbs Now What to Know About Your Water Tips for Buying Furniture A Visit to Local Dough Cafe

FREE! WIN!

$25 Gift Card from GreenFire Restaurant

See Pg. 32 for details

Best of Life Information for Our Region’s Residents & Visitors Proudly Serving the Needs of 326,000 Neighbors - For Your Home, Health & Fun!

Smart Living Weekly

Issue 1

53

DEMPSEY SOFA

orig. price starting at $1545 $ NOW

999

NOW

$

585

orig. price starting at $900

NOW

$

830

Power Headrest!

orig. price starting at $3450

$

*only available in leather as shown

NOW

$

orig. price starting at $1275

MAIN STREET SOFA orig. price $1655

NOW

1079

Many Styles and Fabrics to choose from!

$

Lifetime Warranty

NOW

$

540

NOW

999

DANA SOFA

NOW

2239

orig. price starting at $1545

959

LAKEWOOD SOFA

orig. price starting at $840

529

$

DANVERS POWER RECLINING SOFA

KINGMAN SWIVEL GLIDER

TORRENCE RECLINER orig. price NOW starting at $ $825

TRITON RECLINER

CHICAGO RECLINER

NOW

orig. price starting at $1485

$

1079

THORNTON SOFA

orig. price starting at $1665

VISIT ROCKFORD’S ONLY COMPLETE FLEXSTEEL ® GALLERY

Hours: Mon 9am-8pm Tues-Sat 9am-5pm Closed Sundays

Store-wide Sale through November 19, 2016.

Some exclusions apply.

Visit us online at: www.bensonstone.com

1100 Eleventh Street (just south of Charles) • Rockford, Illinois 61104 • 815-227-2000

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Oct 26

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Spook-tacular Savings!

Choose your body fabric Granite (As Shown Above ) or Flax (Below)

Maverick Sofa WAS $1059 NOW $799

Designed to blend into any décor, this moderately scaled frame features a sectioned tight back, boxed seat cushions, and elegant bombe arms all highlighted with a self welt. The generous tapered legs anchor the look to any room and the 19-inch accent pillows add to the overall look and comfort.

(Displayed at Both Locations)

21 custom pillow fabrics to choose from!

808 W. Riverside Blvd. & 6651 E. State St. Rockford IL • 815.636.8608 • GustafsonFurniture.com

Serta Mattress Sale!

FREE BOXSPRING EVENT! October 13th - November 11th

Queen Sets Starting At:

$799

Exclusively At Gustafson’s

*Photos for illustration only. Not responsible for typographical errors. We reserve the right nt to honor any incorrect pricing.

808 W. Riverside Blvd. & 6651 E. State St. Rockford IL • 815.636.8608 • GustafsonFurniture.com

In This Issue

Right in Our Region ........................Cover & p. 22 Know Your Risks for Breast Cancer Your Home .................................................. ..... 11 Questions to Ask When Buying Furniture Inspiration & Worship ......................................12 Harvest & Hunger Your Kitchen .....................................................15 Pumpkin Spiced Goodness Your Outings .........................................26, 29, 30 Giovanni’s Boo Bash, Spooky Events, Breakfast Invite Your Health ............................................. .......... 25 What to Know About Your Water System Outdoor Living ............................................. ....17 Plant Spring Bulbs Now Your Fun ................................................... ........ 27

Your Dining ...................................................... 29 Local Dough Cafe

Smart L iving Weekly ™

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Managing Editor Janine Pumilia Assistant Managing Editor Lindsey Gapen Deputy Editor Jermaine Pigee Graphics Director Blake Nunes Graphic Designer Samantha Ryan Contributing Writers Peggy Werner General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes Account Executives Brian Hughes, Jeremy Jones Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes Website www.SmartLivingWeekly.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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Oct 26 To advertise call 815-316-2300

Scary Things I

t’s funny how art sticks with you in unexpected ways. Maybe it’s a painting you only saw once, or a line from a song that gets stuck in your head. Or a string of words from a film that you didn’t even like, at the time you saw it 17 years ago. Such is the case for me.

On this splendid fall day, it’s a line from the 1999 film “American Beauty” that keeps haunting me: “Never underestimate the power of denial.” The older I get, the more urgently it rings true.

We humans have an enormous capacity to fool one another ... but an even larger capacity to fool ourselves. We stare obvious truths right in the face and pretend not to see them.

There are many reasons for this. Sometimes we use denial as a coping mechanism or as a way to avoid conflict. But here’s the rub: Denial can be deadly.

Why? Just think about the woman who tells herself “he’ll never hit me again” or the youth who says “I won’t get addicted to heroine,” or the neighbor who looks the other way until some child or elderly person or defenseless animal has been beaten to death.

One large realm in which we delude ourselves, at our own great peril, is the realm of health. We ‘forget’ to follow the recommended schedule for health checkups; we brush off that nagging symptom as “nothing important;” we fail to make the changes we know we should be making – like quitting smoking, eating better, drinking less alcohol, exercising more or reducing the stress that we tell ourselves we’re not feeling.

We women are especially bad about putting our health on the back burner. Our cover story offers an in-your-face summary of what we should know about breast cancer and how we can reduce our risk.

On this Halloween week, let’s be clear about the truly scary things in our own lives and in the lives of those we love. As every horror film teaches us, the scariest monsters are those which sneak up on us. ❚ Janine Pumilia Managing Editor

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Oct 26

Y H  G

Questions to Ask When Buying Furniture

By Janine Pumilia, managing editor

Y

ou get what you pay for, when it comes to furniture, and there’s a growing demand nationwide for better quality furniture, says Mitchell Johnson, store manager of the new 6651 E. State St. Gustafson’s Furniture & Mattress store.

“Both across the U.S. and here in our region, people are tired of cheap furniture that falls apart,” says Johnson.

Leather furniture remains popular, but Johnson cautions, “Be sure to ask questions about leather quality, since there are many imitations on the market.

We also sell a lot of fabric sofas,” says Johnson. “There’s a trend toward more texture, with tweeds and corduroys and weaves. Today’s upholstery options are really wonderful – very durable but beautiful and comfortable. Most of today’s upholstery fabrics are made from PET, a highly durable polyester thread.”

Reclining furniture is very big, in every age group, across all demographics, says Johnson. “Don’t be afraid of electric mechanisms in recliners,” he says. “People worry too much about the motors breaking, but that seldom happens. You’re more likely to break a recliner that has to be manually raised and lowered. And electric motors give you a full range of motion rather than stopping at certain positions.”

When buying upholstered furniture, the important question is not how the surface looks but what lies beneath.

“Ask good questions when shopping,” advises Johnson. “Is the frame made from strong laminated wood or just plywood? Is there a reasonably good spring system that will distribute weight?

Is the padding made of high-density foam or cheap fluff? Is the leather exterior real

leather?”

Reputable stores often have a cutaway model so you can see the materials below the surface.

Do business with people who are in it for the long haul, not fly-by-night chain stores with high turnover, suggests Johnson. “They have a real stake in making you happy and will deal with you more honestly.”

Gustafson's original location is at 808 Riverside Blvd. ❚

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I  W

Harvest & Hunger

T

he Midwest is sometimes referred to as the “breadbasket of the world,” thanks to the rich soil and growing climate provided to us by God. It’s hard to believe that nearly 425,000 people in the service area of Northern Illinois Food Bank are classified as “food insecure.”

Nearly half are children; other large segments include the elderly, disabled, working poor, homeless and veterans.

While good people disagree about the role that government should play in helping the needy, there’s no question that caring for hungry, sick and oppressed people has always been part of the JudeoChristian ethic. God cares about the way we treat fellow human beings.

Lest we forget that the God we serve expects us to be generous, here are a few verses to remind us.

She [the virtuous woman] opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. – Proverbs 31:20 Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse. – Proverbs 28:27 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. – James 2:14-18.

And he [Jesus] answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” – Luke 3:11 But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. – I John 3:17-18 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

– Matthew 25:37-40 ❚ – Janine Pumilia 12

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Y K

Yummy Pumpkin Can Spice Up Your Life C

ertain flavors are synonymous with fall, and pumpkin spice tops the list.

It’s easier than ever to whip up decadent pumpkin desserts at home.

Go for a delicious dessert such as a Pumpkin Pie Shake or a Pumpkin Creme Brulee with ingredients offered at ALDI. Explore more ideas for spicing up your fall dessert menu at aldi.us.

Pumpkin Pie Shake 6 sheets Benton’s Graham Crackers, broken into small pieces 15 ounces Baker’s Corner 100 percent Pure Canned Pumpkin 1 tsp. Stonemill Essentials Pumpkin Pie Spice 2 TB Baker’s Corner Brown Sugar 1 cup Sundae Shoppe Vanilla Ice Cream 1 cup Friendly Farms 2 percent milk 10 ice cubes Friendly Farms Whipped Dairy Topping Preparation: In blender, combine ingredients. Top with whipped topping and serve.

Pumpkin Creme Brulee 2 cups Friendly Farms Heavy Whipping Cream 2 cups Friendly Farms Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer 1/2 tsp. Stonemill Essentials Ground Cinnamon 1/4 tsp. Stonemill Essentials Ground Nutmeg 1 tsp. Stonemill Essentials Pure Vanilla 1/4 tsp. Stonemill Essentials Ground Cloves 1/2 cup Baker’s Corner Brown Sugar 1 1/2 cups Baker’s Corner Granulated Sugar, divided 16 Goldhen large eggs, yolks only 15 ounces Baker’s Corner 100 percent Pure Canned Pumpkin Friendly Farms Whipped Dairy Topping Preparation: Heat oven to 325 F. In medium saucepan, heat cream, coffee creamer, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, cloves, brown sugar and 1/2 cup granulated sugar. Stir frequently to dissolve sugar. Bring to boil then immediately remove from heat. Set aside to rest 10 minutes. In a large bowl, whisk egg yolks until frothy. Slowly whisk in cream mixture then whisk in pumpkin puree.

Set 16 medium oven-proof ramekins in 13-by9-inch baking pan. Divide custard evenly between dishes. Add boiling water to baking pan halfway up sides of ramekins. Bake 40-55 minutes, or until center is set but still jiggles.

Remove from water bath; cool about 15 minutes then refrigerate 2-3 hours. When ready to serve, remove ramekins from refrigerator and dust tops with remaining granulated sugar. Caramelize sugar with kitchen torch or place under hot broiler 1-2 minutes. Let cool 1 minute and top with whipped dairy topping to serve.

❚ Source: Family Features

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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.

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Oct 26 To advertise call 815-316-2300

1.815.282.2222

O L

Now’s the Time to Plant Spring Bulbs S

horten the winter season with the help of spring flowering bulbs that you plant in fall. Whether you’re new or experienced, growing bulbs is an easy endeavor.

First, purchase bulbs that are dense and firm, and free of bruises or mold.

Combine several bulbs that bloom at the same time to double the floral impact plus bulbs that bloom at different times to extend color throughout the spring.

You can create your own combinations or look for prepackaged combinations prepared by experts like those a Longfield Gardens.com.

Plant bulbs in well-drained soil for best results. Avoid areas such as next to the dryer vent or against the south side foundation of your home that tend to warm up early in spring or experience a winter thaw. They often sprout too early

and subsequent cold temperatures can limit or eliminate their bloom.

Increase growing success in poor soils by incorporating several inches of compost, peat moss or other organic matter into the top 12 inches of soil.

Then be sure to incorporate a low nitrogen, slow release fertilizer.

Wait to plant your bulbs until the soil cools. This is any time after the night temperatures are consistently 40 to 50 degrees, but several weeks before the ground freezes.

Plant spring blooming bulbs three times as deep as the bulb is tall. Water thoroughly to remove air pockets and encourage fall root growth. Add a layer of mulch to conserve moisture, suppress weeds and reduce the risk of early sprouting.

Break out your trowel and garden

Longfield Gardens Photo

By Melinda Myers

gloves and get busy planting!

Melinda Myers has more than 30 years of gardening experience and is a contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and was commissioned by Longfield Gardens. ❚

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A downtown Rockford holiday tradition

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26 | 3 – 9 PM strollonstate.com | #strollonstate Brought to you by the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

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Oct 26 To advertise call 815-316-2300

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R  O R

Lifesaving Health Advice Women Need to Hear

By Janine Pumilia, managing editor

L

isten up, women: October is nationally designated as National Breast Cancer Awareness Week for good reason.

With all the caregiving you do for others, you need a reminder to pay attention to your own health.

Aside from skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among U.S. women. Each year, about 231,000 women are diagnosed with it and about 40,800 women died from it, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Early detection greatly raises the odds of surviving cancer, which is why doctors urge women to have regular checkups and mammogram screenings, and to do breast self-checks.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that average-risk women who are 50 to 74 years old have a mammogram every two years. Women

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40 to 49, and younger women with higher risk factors, should talk to their doctors about when to start and how often to get a screening mammogram.

While most women have some risk factors, most don’t get breast cancer. According to the CDC, risk factors include:

•

Late or no pregnancy. Having the first pregnancy after age 30 and never having a full-term pregnancy can raise breast cancer risk.

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Starting menopause after age 55.

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Not being physically active.

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Getting older. Most breast cancers are diagnosed after age 50.

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Being overweight or obese after menopause.

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Genetic mutations. Inherited changes (mutations) to certain genes, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2.

Women with these genetic changes are at higher risk for both breast and ovarian cancer.

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Drinking alcohol. The more alcohol, the higher the risk.

•

Having dense breasts.

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Taking hormones to replace missing estrogen and progesterone in menopause for more than five years.

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Taking certain birth control pills.

•

Personal history of breast cancer.

If you had it once, you’re more likely to get it again.

•

Early menstrual period. Women who start their periods before age 12 are exposed to hormones longer, raising the risk for breast cancer by a small amount.

Oct 26 To advertise call 815-316-2300

R  O R

•

•

• •

Personal history of certain noncancerous breast diseases such as atypical hyperplasia or lobular carcinoma in situ.

Family history of breast cancer.

Having a first-degree female or male relative with breast cancer raises a woman’s risk.

Previous treatment using radiation therapy before age 30.

Women who took the drug diethylstilbestrol (DES), which was given to some pregnant women in

the U.S. between 1940 and 1971 to prevent miscarriage, have a higher risk, as are women whose mothers took DES while pregnant with them.

Research also suggests that smoking, exposure to certain chemicals and working the night shift may increase your odds of getting breast cancer.

So what exactly is breast cancer? It’s a disease in which the cells of the breast grow out of control. There are many forms, depending upon which kinds of cells turn cancerous.

Although the following symptoms can be caused by conditions that are not cancer, women should see a doctor if they experience: A new lump in the breast or underarm (armpit).

• Thickening or swelling of part of the breast.

• Irritation or dimpling of breast skin.

•

Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast.

• Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area.

• Nipple discharge, other than breast milk, including blood.

• Any change in the size or the shape of the breast.

• Pain in any area of the breast.

Keep in mind that abnormal mammogram results don’t always mean cancer; they simply mean that further testing is required.

Mammograms don’t take long and are covered by most insurance programs.

Schedule your mammogram at your hospital of choice. Women without insurance can get mammograms through the CDC and other sources.

No one enjoys thinking about breast cancer or any other cancer. But the better we understand risk factors, screening recommendations and what symptoms to notice, the better able we are to thrive in the face of whatever life throws us. ❚

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Oct 26 To advertise call 815-316-2300

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Oct 26 To advertise call 815-316-2300

Y H

What to Know About Your Water System

By Anna Girgenti

I

f there’s one thing you shouldn’t have to worry about, it’s your water. Having clean, accessible water in your home or business involves proper installation and maintenance, according to the experts at Affordable Water, 214 W. Menomonie St., Belvidere.

“The biggest mistake people make with their in-home water systems is misapplication of equipment,” says Samantha Strobel, general manager at Affordable Water. Without proper installation, your water system is susceptible to permanent damage.

Installing a water treatment system is more complicated than many people think. The slightest mistake may result in hard water, staining or the introduction of bacteria and viruses. Misapplication due to inadequate installation can ruin both the equipment and the water. If you’re thinking about installing your own water

system, you may be putting your system at higher risk of malfunction. Consider calling a professional water company to handle the entire process for you.

“We specialize in water purification equipment and chemical-free systems.

We also offer a complete lineup of equipment for rental, leasing, residential, commercial accounts and more,” says Stro-

bel. The family-owned business offers more than 35 years of experience, with certified service technicians.

“People commonly run into issues with their water softeners when they’re not keeping up with maintenance or when the system isn’t programmed properly,” says Strobel. Some types of water treatment systems need maintenance more often, and some require regular professional maintenance. Your water system will last longer if you rely on a company that can service all your needs.

“Affordable Water is an accredited business for the Better Business Bureau,” says Strobel. “Consumers looking to install or repair a home water system should check with the Better Business Bureau to know they’re doing business with a reputable company. ,” says Strobel.

Affordable Water is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Call (815) 544-0918 for more information. ❚

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Y O

‘Good Morning Rockford’ Breakfast is Nov. 1 M

embersAlliance Credit Union invites members of the public to attend the 8th annual Good Morning Rockford Breakfast hosted by The Rockford Chamber of Commerce’s “Advantage Club Originals” networking group.

The Good Morning Rockford event will be from 7:30 to 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 1, at the Hilton Garden Hotel, 7675 Walton St., Rockford, just off East State

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Street and Bell School Road. Visitors can help to build a tower made of toilet paper and diapers to benefit the Pregnancy Care Center of Rockford. Cash donations will also be accepted.

The event will include a complimentary breakfast provided by the Hilton Garden Inn, expo-style booths featuring members of the Advantage Club Originals group and plenty of networking opportunities. Prizes will be given away every 15 minutes. The cost of entry is a roll or package of wrapped toilet paper or a package of diapers.

The Advantage Club Originals is a group of business owners, decision makers and sales associates dedicated to networking and referring business to one another. Only one member

Oct 26 To advertise call 815-316-2300

from each industry is permitted in the group. For more information, contact Diane James at (815) 519-0203.

The Pregnancy Care Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that, for 33 years, has provided help to women facing an unplanned pregnancy. ❚

Y F Autumn just might be the best time of year. The sun is a little lower (and prettier), the air is a little crisper (and cleaner) and the leaves cascade down in colorful splendor. This fall, spend some quality time in the fun, nearby, value-packed Rockford Region. See stunning fall colors at

Real. Original.

SM

Anderson Japanese Gardens, the finest in North America. Visit beautifully spacious Rock Cut State Park. Don’t miss Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden, with more than 500 different species of trees, shrubs and vines, all

ILLINOIS, USA

glowing in autumn’s glory. Indoors, our concert and theater season will be gaining momentum at Coronado Performing Arts Center, a beautifully restored downtown vaudeville house. Plus, our Riverfront Museum Campus will be coming alive for the whole family. Visit gorockford.com today for a full list of autumn special events, festivals, gardens, golf and more.

Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau NWQ_fall.indd 1

102 N. Main St.

Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Tourism

Attractions & Events

The Moody Blues Oct. 26, 8 p.m. With a legacy that spans the late 60s to the present, The Moody Blues have generated hit songs regarded as some of the most inRockford, IL 61101 1.800.521.0849 gorockford.com novative music of our time. Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 968-0595, coronadopac.org.

9/10/07 2:07:37 PM

Starlite Radio Oct. 27, 6-9 p.m. Enjoy live music from Starlite Radio. Food and drink service available. Prairie Street Brewing Co., 200 Prairie St., Rockford, (815) 277-9427, psbrewingco.com.

Artist Lecture: Sarah Krepp Oct. 27, 7-8:30 p.m. Learn about exhibiting artist Sarah Krepp and her body of work. The exhibit, "Deconstructing the American Landscape," is on display through Jan. 29. Rockford Art Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 968-2787, rockfordartmuseum.org.

Lam Hun Koh & Avalon String Quartet Oct. 28, 7:30 p.m. This cross-cultural concert introduces traditional Asian music and theater and explores how these traditions extend into the 21st century. The Avalon String Quartet presents newly composed pieces with members of Lam Hun Koh. Mendelssohn Hall, 406 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 964-9713, mendelssohnpac.org.

Night Sounds Oct. 28, 6-8 p.m. Enjoy Halloween fun for the whole family. This trick-or-treating event travels through the four floors of Burpee Museum with different activities and viewing stations. Burpee Museum of Natural History, 737 N. Main St., (815) 965-3433, burpee.org.

Spooky Science Oct. 28, 6-9 p.m. Bring your trick-or-treat bag and grab gobs of goodies and make creepy crafts. Fill in a bingo card as you garner science facts and feats from expired engineers and deceased scientists. Come in costume. Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 963-6769, discoverycentermuseum.org.

The Rocky Horror Show Oct. 28-29, 8 p.m. & midnight. Pull on your fishnets, lace up your corsets and join (usual) suspects for "The Rocky Horror Show." The Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main St., Rockford, rockfordpubliclibrary.org.

The Moody Blues take the Coronado stage on Oct. 26 at 8 p.m. The band's music is regarded as some of the most innovative of our time.

BOOtique Trick or Treat Oct. 29, 10 a.m. Local businesses in Roscoe and Rockton invite customers to "trick or treat" for exclusive specials. Get a card stamped at each store and turn it in for a chance to win giftcards from participating businesses. Start at Zazu Gift Co., 11013 Main St., Roscoe, Ill., (815) 623-9298, facebook.com/bootiqueTrickorTreat.

Boo Bash Play and Skate Oct. 29, 1-3 p.m. Pay combined admission for a day of fun at two special events. Get your face painted, enjoy balloon art and experience a magic show at Sapora Playworld and enjoy a public ice skating session with spooky music, games and prizes at Carlson Ice Arena. Both locations at 4150 N. Perryville Road, Loves Park, (815) 969-4069, rockfordparkdistrict.org.

Ikebana & Chanoyu Oct. 29-30, Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m. & 2 p.m. Attend a Japanese flower arranging (Ikebana) demonstration and gallery exhibit combined with a demonstration of a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony (Chanoyu). Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, (815) 229-9390, andersongardens.org.

The Rockford Wind Ensemble Oct. 30, 3 p.m. The Rockford Wind Ensemble is now in its 15th season, performing a remarkable range of musical styles. Expect historically significant works, outstanding soloists, world-premieres as well as popular favorites. The Nordlof Center, Rockford, rockfordpubliclibrary.org. ❚

For More Attractions & Events Visit GoRockford.com Tell them you saw it in ...

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Oct. 26

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WDL

A Spooky & Delicious Week at Local Dough Café

By Peggy Werner

T

o get at the treats at Local Dough, 202 W. Main St. in Rockton, you have to enter into the realm of ghosts, goblins, witches and other haunting signs of Halloween.

Jack-o-lanterns have their eyes on anyone coming through the front door.

Once inside, skeletons can be seen hanging from the ceiling and shelves. Black birds are perched among the bags of granola, coffee and gift items. Huge hairy spiders hang from other doorways and strings of orange lights frame the win-

dows. Twelve-foot inflatables in the form of a witch, a grim reaper, and a pumpkin head loom over patrons seated beneath cobwebs and spiders.

“We go all out for Halloween. It’s quite spectacular. People always enjoy it, look forward to it, and the kids can’t wait to see what we’ve come up with,” says Jules Cook, co-owner with her husband, Jeremy.

From the kitchen, there are teeth made from milk and white chocolate, chocolate-covered giant marshmallows on a stick, giant turtles made with pecans or almonds, caramel apples and much more.

Local Dough will be one of more than two dozen businesses participating in the second annual Trick or Treat from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30th in downtown Rockton. Business owners will have candy for kids and pro-

motional items for adults, says Patricia Diduch, planning and development administrator for the village. Last year, 2,500 people attended the event.

“Last year, we created a fun atmosphere by propping open our front door with a rickety fence, turning off the bright lights and using a fog machine for special effects,” Jules says. “We enjoy entertaining people in this way. We figure we’re here every day, so we have to do something fun for ourselves and everyone we see.”

Local Dough serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus baked goods. ❚

In the Spotlight

Top Picks for Local Restaurants

GreenFire EUpscale-Casual/American contemporary. Seasonal cuisine; local-sourced ingredients; gourmet market; 9 East Coffee E Casual/Coffeehouse. Specialty coffees, pas- live entertainment. 6795 E. Riverside Blvd., Rockford, (815) tries, breakfast, lunch. 9 E. Stephenson St., Freeport, (815) 316-3473. BkLD M-F 11am; Sat-Sun 8 am. Bar open late. $$.

233-7300, BkL M-F 7am-3pm, Sat 7am-2pm. $ JMK Nippon Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar E UpscaleArturo’s Mexican Restaurant E Casual/Authentic Mexican. Casual. Food cooked tableside. 2551 N. Perryville, Rockford, 107 W. Main St., Poplar Grove, Ill., (815) 765-1144. LD M 11am- (815) 877-0505. L T-F 11:30am-2pm, Sat to 2:30pm; D M-Th 8pm; T-Th to 9pm; F to 10pm; Sun noon-8pm. $.

5-9:30pm, F-Sat to 10:30pm, Sun 4:30-9:30pm. $$.

Bravo Pizza E Italian/American. 376 Prairie Hill Road, South Be- Local Dough Cafe E Restaurant/cafe. Baked goods, breakloit, Ill., (815) 624-7900. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat 11pm. $. fast, lunch, dinner, beer, wine. 202 W. Main St., Rockton, Cannova’s Italian Cuisine E Casual. 1101 W. Empire St., Free- (815) 957-0584. BkLD W-Sun 7 am-6 pm. $. port, (815) 233-0032. D T-Th, Sun 5-9pm; F-Sat 10pm. $-$$.

Main Street Meat Co E Deli/bakery. Quality meats, seafood, Costa’s Ristorante E Upscale-Casual/Italian. 133 Blackhawk café/bakery with catering services. 9515 N. 2nd St., Roscoe, (815) 623-6328. BkLD M-F 8 am-6:30 pm; Sat. 8 am-6 pm; Dr., Byron, Ill., (815) 234-4707. LD Daily 4pm. $-$$.

Sun. 9 am-5 pm. $.

Franchesco’s Ristorante E Upscale/Italian-American. Sommelier, live entertainment. 7128 Spring Creek Road, Rock- Mamma Mia’s E Casual/American. Pizza, pasta, sandwiches, wraps. 1139 N. Alpine Road, Rockford, (815) 399-6262. ford, (815) 229-0800. LD Sun-Th 4-9pm, F-Sat to 10pm. $$ LD M-Th 4-9pm, F 11am-10pm, Sat 4-10pm, Sun to 9pm. $$ Fresco at the Gardens. E Casual/American Café. Fresh, localsourced ingredients. 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, (815) Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint E Fine Dining. Ironworks Hotel, 500 Pleasant St., Beloit, (608) 313-0700. D Sun-Th 316-2256 BkL Daily 7am-3pm. $$ 4:30-9pm, Fri-Sat to 10pm. $$.

Giordano’s E Casual/Italian. Stuffed pizza, salads, entrees, sandwiches, desserts. 33 Executive Parkwy., Rockford, (815) Prairie Street Brewhouse E Upscale-Casual/American. 200 Prairie St., Rockford, (815) 277-9427. LD Sun-W 11am-10pm, 398-5700. LD Sun-Th 11 am-10 pm, F-Sat to 11 pm.

Th to midnight, F-Sat to 2am. $-$$.

Giovanni’s/Big Al’s Bar/Alchemy E Upscale-casual/American. Three dining rooms. 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford. Thrive Café E Casual/Cafe. Salads, wraps, sandwiches, (815) 398-6411. LD M-Th 11a.m.-10 pm, F to 11 pm, Sat 3-11 smoothies, cold-pressed juices. Inside Peak Fitness, 4401 Peak Drive, Loves Park, Ill. BkLD M-F 6am-8pm, Sat 8am-2pm. ❚ pm. Live entertainment, open late. $-$$.

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Oct 26 To advertise call 815-316-2300

Alchemy

T

his trendy restaurant inside Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford, offers an out-of-the-ordinary experience in a big-city atmosphere.

“Alchemy has its own vibe and feel,” says Al Castrogiovanni, chef and founder. “I always had a vision and knew what I wanted to do. We do a lot of out-of-the-box thinking and customize everything.”

The full service bar features 36 craft beers on tap. Everything on the menu is made from scratch with fresh ingredients.

Pizzas made from handcrafted dough, with names like Chicago Dog and Thai Pie, are baked in a wood-fire oven. Classic fare includes pastas, soups, salads, burgers and sandwiches, all with a special twist, and daily specials.

Alchemy serves lunch 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Mon.-Fri.; and dinner 4-10 p.m. Mon.Thurs. and 4-11 p.m. Fri.-Sat. The bar is open later. ❚

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Giovanni’s: Keep the Fun, Lose the Work P

art of smart living is figuring out how to have more fun while doing less work, right? Throwing your own Halloween bash means spending a lot of time and money on cleaning, decorating, stocking the bar and coming up with food.

Likewise, throwing a full-blown Thanksgiving dinner means a lot of time spent planning, shopping and cooking – not to mention getting up at 4 a.m. to heft a giant turkey into the oven. Still, there’s just something special about hosting that meal around your own dinner table.

Giovanni’s Restaurant and Convention Center, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford, offers solutions for the best of both worlds for each holiday.

The Rockford restaurant kicks off the holiday season with its frightful Boo Bash on Friday, Oct. 28, with doors opening at 8:30 p.m.

Billed as “the best Halloween party in town,” the event will feature DJ Jordan

right, upgrade the experience with a personal lounge and bottle service, by calling (815) 398-6411.

Thanksgiving Dinner to Go

Chance and a live performance by Southern Charm. More than $1,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded for the sexiest costume, best group or duo costumes, and best overall costume.

As always, Giovanni’s will set the Halloween mood, fully decked out in spooky and imaginative décor.

The cost is $10 at the door, or you can preorder tickets by calling Giovanni’s at (815) 398-6411.

If you really want to do things up

Once again, Giovanni’s will do all the cooking for you, this year, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time relaxing with friends and family.

Its carry-out Thanksgiving meal includes fresh roasted turkey, apple sage stuffing, buttermilk whipped potatoes, gravy, green beans, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls and pumpkin pie. The cost is $169.95 for a complete meal that serves 12 to 14 people, or $99.95 for a 14 lb. roasted turkey with stuffing and gravy.

For an additional $12.95, have your turkey applewood smoked.

Order your meal by Nov. 21, and specify a Thanksgiving Day pick-up time of either 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. Payment is due in full upon ordering. ❚

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Oct 26

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Some Local Options for Safe Halloween Fun The Harvest Festival

Join the fun at Life Church in Roscoe on Oct. 31, from 6-9 p.m., for a festive and safe night filled with food, carnival rides and games, entertainment and plenty of candy. The event is free. Pre-register by downloading a registration form and returning it to church offices. The church is located at 5910 Elevator Road.

The Harvest Festival began 12 years ago and has grown to be a staple community event.

Scarecrows on Parade

Nearly 50 scarecrows have been “adopted” by local businesses, organizations, families, school groups, Scouts, and individuals in Cherry Valley. They’re dressed, decorated and displayed on lamp posts up and down East State Street and Mill Road.

Scarecrow viewers are encouraged to vote for their favorite scarecrows at $1 per vote. Vote as many times as you wish,

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at the Cherry Valley Public Library or other selected Cherry Valley businesses.

Winners will be announced at the village’s Halloween parade on Oct. 29.

Spooky Science at Discovery Center Museum

Enjoy Spooky Science at Discovery Center Musuem on Oct. 28 from 6-9 p.m.

Fill your Trick-or-Treat bag with gobs of goodies as you concoct glowing slime and make creepy crafts.

Fill in a bingo card and gather facts from expired engineers and deceased scientists. Explore the park in the dark, pick up a prize from Alfred Nobel, enjoy the not-quite-right chemistry of Dorothy Hodgkin and practice science tricks that look like magic. Grownup ghouls, midsized monsters and little goblins will have an enchanting experience in this Halloween festival. Come in costume. Cost is $4 for members, $9 for non-members.

Oct 26 To advertise call 815-316-2300

A Wild Ride in the Night!

Join the Beloit Janesville Symphony Orchestra (The Rock River Philharmonic) on Oct. 29 at 7:30 p.m. for a concert that includes scary Halloween favorites like “In the Hall of the Mountain King,” Night on Bald Mountain,” “Danse Macabre” and much more. At Eaton Chapel, on the campus of Beloit College. For tickets, call (608) 931-5705 or go to beloitjanesvillesymphony.org. ❚

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Oct 26

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How to Pay the Best Price for Auto Repair D o you take your car’s “health” for granted?

Only when the check engine light comes on do most of us realize how important a fully functional vehicle is to our daily lives.

“According to Mintel, on average, drivers spend nearly $1,000 per year maintaining their cars,” says Joe Wiesenfelder, executive editor of Cars.com.

“Even more important, a recent survey

by Cars.com and Toluna found that one in three drivers don’t trust that the prices mechanics quote to them are fair.”

Knowledge is power, but for many consumers, car maintenance can be shrouded in mystery. Here are a few expert tips, resources and busted myths: 1. You probably don’t need to change your oil every 3,000 miles. Due to technology advancements, many auto manufacturers recommend changing oil at 7,500 miles or more for new cars.

2. A clogged air filter won’t significantly affect fuel economy, but it can reduce acceleration from 6 to 11 percent, according to a U.S. Department of Energy study. For that reason, it’s a good idea to periodically visually check the engine air filter.

3. Cars.com has launched a new “Service & Repair” feature that provides a fair price estimate for different types of services, helping to ensure that drivers never overpay. The online tool also helps drivers find local service providers and offers reviews from actual customers to help them find a quality mechanic.

4. Drivers expect the tires that come with their new vehicle to last a long time, but tire life depends on many factors, including the quality of the tire, its treadwear rating, whether it’s an all-season, summer performance or winter tire, the type of vehicle and where and how it is driven.

5. If the check engine light comes on and has a steady illumination, that indicates a possibly serious issue that should be dealt with quickly by a mechanic. If the check engine light is flashing, find a place to park the vehicle and turn the engine off as quickly as you safely can. Ignoring your check engine light increases the likelihood of additional problems. ❚

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Source: Brandpoint

Oct 26

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Dr. Shylendra B. Sreenivasappa Hematology/ Oncology

A Higher Power of Health.

What makes OSF Saint Anthony the region’s leader in cancer care?

Amanda says it’s the new Patricia D. Pepe Center for Cancer Care, providing faster, more accurate diagnosis and award-certified treatment, all at one location, close to home.

All that, plus a mission to serve with the greatest care and love. That’s a Higher Power of Health.

Learn more at osfsaintanthony.org 34

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