iving Sm mart a r t L ivi Weekly Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • Rockford Region/Beloit/Freeport 95¢ • October 16, 2019
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Right in Our Region
Rock House Kids! Making Lives Brighter
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It’s a Vegetarian Feast! Explore Paths to Wellness All About Home Equity Loans Why Not Organize Your Home? Don’t Forget About Fall Lawncare
FREE WIN!
Rock House Kids Executive Director Deanna Lacny
2 Rounds of Golf at Aldeen Golf Club See Pg. 28 Details
Best of Life Information for Our Region’s Residents & Visitors Proudly Serving the Needs of 326,000 Neighbors - For Your Home, Health & Fun!
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In This Issue
Right in Our Region ........................Cover & p. 16 Rock House Kids! Your Home ............................................ ..... 11, 19 Fall Lawncare Tips; Getting Organized Inspiration & Worship ......................................12 God Alone is Good Your Kitchen .....................................................15 Easy Back-to-School Suppers Your Outing ............................................. .......... 21 Vegetarian Feast! Your Health ............................................. .......... 23 Alternative Medicine Adds Options Your Fun ................................................... ......... 25
Restaurant of the Week ................................... 26 Hearthrock Cafe Dining Locally .......................................... ........ 26 Your Money ...................................................... 29 All About Home Equity Loans
Smart L iving Weekly ™
Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes
Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Managing Editor Lindsey Gapen-Lukas Assistant Managing Editor Jermaine Pigee Editor Emeritus Janine Pumilia Graphics Director Blake Nunes Graphic Designer Samantha Behling Contributing Writer Peggy Werner, Paula Kalivoda Furniss General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes Advertising Sales Representatives Brian Hughes, Jeremy Jones, Nita Lasky Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes Distribution Kelly Fairbairn 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 2019 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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We Made it Happen!
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ou’ve come a long way, baby!” I say that each time I drive by our local airport and see the big cargo birds lined up – UPS, Amazon Prime and others. Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) is now the fastest-growing cargo airport in the world! Thousands of people are employed at the airport, some at our aviation maintenance facility, the largest in the nation. Students are learning aircraft maintenance in cooperation with Rock Valley College. And all of this helps employers like Woodward, Collins Aerospace, B/E Aerospace and GE Aviation. It’s good! But it wasn’t always so. The child in me recalls hopscotching the square-tiled floor at Peterson Flight School nearly 50 years ago, when the airport was no more than a few shabby buildings and a lot of empty acres once occupied by Camp Grant. My brother Brad, then 15, was taking flying lessons and washing airplanes to pay for them. Mom drove him to the airport and waited through lessons, so I got dragged along, Barbie dolls in tow. I was bored silly, but it was the most exciting place in the world to my brother. Brad got his pilot’s license before he could legally drive a car and later became the youngest pilot United Airlines (UAL) had ever promoted to captain. He loved flying jets and retired this summer on his 65th birthday, the mandatory pilot retirement age. Upon landing his final flight, giant water plumes criss-crossed over his jet to mark the end of his UAL career. I’m not only proud of my brother, but am proud of the little airport that gave him his start. I’ve closely followed the building blocks visionary airport leaders have put into place over the decades, like establishing a Foreign Trade Zone and building the super-long runways that ultimately helped us to land UPS. I like knowing that many of our young people today are finding solid careers because of investments local taxpayers were willing to make in this airport. Progress doesn’t happen by itself. We all made it happen! Have a great week! ❚ Janine Pumilia SLW Editor
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Fall Lawn Care Will Pay Off Next Spring By Jermaine Pigee
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awn care is easy to forget about in autumn, but some attention this fall will improve your lawn next spring. Don’t stop cutting your grass around Halloween, advises Mark Walter, owner of LawnCare by Walter, 4235 S. Perryville Road, Cherry Valley, Ill. Your grass will keep growing into November. In summer, cutting your grass to about three inches high helps to shade out sunlight and reduce weed growth, but once the cooler months come around, grass should be cut a little shorter. “We want to keep the lawn shorter going into the winter months because it’ll help prevent snow mold and other fungus diseases,” Walter says. The fall is also a good time to aerate your yard, since the root systems will continue to grow until the ground freezes. An aeration machine helps reduce soil compaction by pulling soil plugs from
your lawn so water, air and fertilizer can reach the grass roots more easily. Walter recommends aerating the lawn in the fall to help develop those root systems. “Core aeration is extremely important with the soils that we have in this area,” he says. “We’re trying to stimulate root development, which will help lawns over the winter.” Autumn bring plenty of falling leaves that block precious sunlight from getting to your yard. The leaves can suffocate your lawn and trap moisture that can lead to lawn fungus. That’s why it’s very im-
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portant to rake your yard regularly. “You don’t want your lawn going into winter with leaf cover because it’s going to end up matting your grass,” he says. “Doing that fall cleanup and keeping your leaves picked up before snow hits is critical. If you leave those leaves on your lawn and you try raking them up in the spring, you’ll pretty much just have dirt underneath instead of grass.” Now is also a good time to kill weeds, especially dandelions. “In the spring, you can spray the dandelion flower and it may die, but it doesn’t always kill the body because dandelions have a root system that’s eight to 10 inches deep,” Walter says. “If you use an herbicide, it pushes the plant through the growth cycle at an accelerated rate and it’ll grow itself to death. So, any weed control you do in the fall will get you off to a better start in the spring.” ❚
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God Alone is ‘Good’
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hroughout history, people have sought human heroes to save them from whatever they faced – and God has warned them not to make gods of men. (See the First Commandment, Exodus 20:3 and the Greatest Commandment, Matthew 22:36.) Such was the case when Israel begged for a king in I Samuel 8: When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as Israel’s leaders…But his sons did not follow his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice. So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. They said to him,“...now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have”… this displeased Samuel so he prayed to the Lord.” God told Samuel not to take it personally. “It is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so are they doing to you.” God told Samuel to warn Israel that a king would take away their children, would take the best fruits of their labor and would enslave them. “When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, but the Lord will not answer you in that day,” Samuel warned. But they insisted on having a king, which led in time to their enslavement and dissolution as a nation. Only God deserves absolute allegiance. In Mark 10:18, even Jesus refuses to be called “good.” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.” Men will always seek to impress and enslave other men with their worldly power, but don’t be fooled; this is not the way of God, says Paul in I Corinthians 1:26-31. God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him … Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” – Janine Pumilia 12
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You Deserve Mikes Unsurpassed Service Mike Weerda, Gambino Realtors Here’s What Mike’s Customers Have to Say: Mike was very professional and a lot of fun to work with. He was quick to respond to our questions and stayed on top of our transaction. He made himself available to whenever we needed him - it felt like we were his priority. I would recommend him to our friends!
Mike & Stephanie Bauer 815-985-2895 • mweerda@gogambino.com. See more of my testimonials at my website: GoGambino.com/mweerda
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Turn to Pantry Staples on Busy School Nights B
ack-to-school season means busy evening hours. RAGÚ blogger and mom Jamie Krauss Hess recommends stocking up on go-to pantry staples for quick, nutritious recipes. Find more at ragu.com.
Grown-Up Tomato Mac and Cheese
1 box (16 ounces) gemelli pasta 4 cups water 2 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded, divided 1/2 cup (2 oz) Pecorino Romano cheese, grated 1 TB corn starch 1 can (5 oz.) evaporated milk 1 jar (24 oz.) RAGÚ Simply Traditional Pasta Sauce 2 tsp. cracked black pepper In large pot, cook pasta over mediumhigh heat 20-22 minutes, stirring occasionally. In a bowl, combine 2 cups cheddar cheese, Pecorino Romano cheese and corn starch. Reduce heat to medium; stir milk, cheese mixture and sauce together with
cooked, undrained pasta. Cook 5-7 minutes, or until cheese is melted and mixture is thickened. Sprinkle with remaining cheddar cheese and pepper; serve immediately.
Mini Turkey Sloppy Joes
Recipe courtesy of Honey and Birch
Servings: 8 1 tsp extra-virgin olive oil 1 cup onion, diced 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 pound ground turkey 1 cup carrots, finely diced 1 medium green pepper, diced 1 medium red pepper, diced 1 jar (24 oz) RAGÚ Simply Chunky Marinara Sauce 1 TB Worcestershire sauce 1 tsp ground mustard 1/2 tsp kosher salt 1/2 tsp black pepper 8 mini buns
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Sautee onion and garlic. Add ground turkey. Break up meat and stir until browned. Add carrots, green pepper and red pepper. Cook 5 minutes. Add marinara sauce, Worcestershire sauce, ground mustard, kosher salt and black pepper. Stir and bring to boil. Reduce heat so it simmers; partially cover pan. Cook 10 minutes. Serve on mini buns. ❚ Source: Family Features
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Rock House Kids Celebrates 20th Year By Peggy Werner
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ock House Kids, 1325 7th St., is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. This Christian ministry for innercity kids gives them a safe and positive experience, with the goal of helping them to have better lives and better futures. “A lot of people still don’t know we exist,” says Rock House Kids Executive Director Deanna Lacny. “We’re all about building relationships and we want our kids to feel safe and cared for.” Lacny worked at Rock House Kids more than five years before being named director about 18 months ago. Her top priorities are to build awareness of the ministry through social media and advertisements, and to get more kids involved. The after-school program provides hot meals, supplies and volunteers who help children with homework, teach good values and stress the importance of staying in school.
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About 250 children per week, ages 6 to 18, attend from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Children can get help other times of the day, too. The evening program is year round, but in the summer there are extra activities, field trips, and camps. Safety is a top priority. The building is locked when children are attending. A security system and cameras monitor the property and the police are often present or quickly available. They also work with the kids to prove they, too, are helpful and dependable. As director, Lacny right away made necessary building repairs and received donations of two 15-passenger vans to pick up students who otherwise could not get to the ministry. More vans and drivers are needed to reach even more kids in other parts of the city, she says.
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About 25 volunteers work with the kids each night, but about twice as many are needed. The only qualification is to be a caring adult with a Christ-centered belief. Gloria Visel of Winnebago is a retired businesswoman who started volunteering one night a week four years ago. Having never worked with inner city kids, she tried to keep an open mind by having no expectations, while at the same time being willing to learn about the kids and herself. “I have to admit I was a bit afraid, not for my safety, but because these kids are so different than ones I had worked with in the past,” says Visel. “I felt I didn’t really understand what these children needed, but I didn’t need to know, I just needed to be there and be encouraging. “Middle-class kids are always being built up and given opportunities,” says
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Visel. “A lot of these kids never hear encouraging words. There’s no stability in their lives. They come from families with financial difficulties, violence, addictions, and a missing parent or two, often being passed around from one relative or friend to another. They use a lot of their personal energy just trying to survive and get through the night, so learning has been difficult for them and they find it hard to trust people.” Visel says she knows the ministry can’t take the place of families, but it can reduce stress in the lives of the children and their families by giving them time,
attention and resources, including clothing, shoes, coats, blankets and school supplies. “Research has shown that one caring adult can make all the difference in a child’s life, just by being there and being a constant,” she says. Lacny says, “We don’t give up on these kids and we change their lives by caring for them and showing them their value and potential and encouraging them to be the best people they can be.” The children receive a lot, but they have to give back, too, she says. They learn to work together, help each other, and to refrain from violence. One teenage male, who attended Rock House Kids until he graduated from high school, now has plans to go to college, and will be the first person in his family to pursue a degree.
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“He told us we helped him to become an adult,” says Lacny. “He started with us when he was four years old and this was home to him.” Rock House Kids is supported by churches, corporations, individuals and non-government grants. Other than the paid management staff, it’s run by volunteers and has steadily grown in the location where it all began. Rock House has slowly taken over the former Midwest Scale building donated to its cause, renovating as donations have come in. Only one section of the building is yet to be developed. It will be a computer learning lab where students can do their homework, job search and develop resumes with help from tutors. Long-term goals include adding more classrooms, an activity room, an all-purpose room with basketball courts and a movie theater. New volunteers are needed and welcome. Learn more at rockhousekids.org or by calling (815) 962-5067. ❚
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Why Not Organize Your Home this Autumn? By Janine Pumilia
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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 options for granite surfaces, glass shelves, motionactivated 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 reachin 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.”
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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. ❚
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Delicious Vegan Fare to be Offered Oct. 17 I
f you’ve ever wanted to learn what good vegetarian cooking tastes like, here’s your chance. The Element Rockford will present Rockford Vegan Fest 2019, featuring many vegan dishes from leading Rockford-area restaurants including Prairie Street Brewing Co., Pig’s Mind, Lucha Cantina, Aero Ale House, Edible Vibes, The Irish Rose and OctaneRKFd! Vegan Fest 2019 will take place on Thursday, Oct. 17 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Prairie Street Brew House, 200 Prairie St. There are VIP tickets available for $75, which allow early admission and a Vegan Fest T-Shirt in addition to other surprises. General admission tickets cost $35 in advance or $40 at the door. Tickets can be purchased in advance at eventbrite.com. Proceeds from this event will benefit The Element of Rockford and allow for continued programming. The Element Rockford is a community network that
works to bring positive experiences to the Greater Rockford area. Generating an up-to-date, urban lifestyle and increasing public awareness about it is the group’s goal. The Element is committed to marketing downtown Rockford as a destination for artists, art galleries, live/work spaces, and commercial restaurant and retail establishments. “Preferred by young professionals and artists of all ages, the urban lifestyle includes a large dose of culture, music, entertainment, visual arts, recreation and opportunities for learning,” states the group. Multiple studies commissioned by Rockford’s leadership have identified the need for Rockford to build this type of environment, which is crucial to successful recruitment and retention of the employers and employees of our present and future economy. The most recent study,
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by Angeloueconomics of Austin, Texas, even recommended opening a design school in downtown Rockford. “The Element feels strongly that a vibrant urban lifestyle and downtown are central components of all successful cities,” states the group’s website. “As such, a diverse urban lifestyle is critical for Rockford to attain status as a world-class place to live, work, play and learn. ❚
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Alternative Medicine Increases Options
By Peggy Werner ith new departments, services and staff, Circle of Wellness, 3626 E. State St., has come full circle in its goal to give patients a wide variety of alternative and traditional methods of treatment for injuries, illnesses and other conditions. The newest addition to the staff is Nurse Practitioner Roxanne White, who received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from St. Anthony College of Nursing in 2006 and then earned a master’s degree seven years later from Northern Illinois University. She has worked eight years as a cardiac and float nurse, three years Roxanne White APN, NP-C
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in post-acute care, and is board certified in adult-Gerontology through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Owner and founder Leila McQueen says White’s focus on holistic healthcare fits in with the direction she wants her business to go, by helping patients understand the importance of overall wellbeing and how to achieve it naturally, “It’s been a goal of mine to hire a nurse practitioner so we could have more well-rounded care for our patients. Her presence will help us to build stronger relationships with the medical community and our patients,” says McQueen. Many traditional medical professionals are looking for ways to treat pain without drugs, she says. “Alternative medicine isn’t about avoiding traditional means. It’s in addition to what’s available for patients.”
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Circle of Wellness offers a variety of services, including a new skin care department with products and treatments by a licensed esthetician; acupuncture; reflexology; lab tests; light stim therapy; kinescio taping; lypossage; ionic foot detox; nutrition counseling and informational classes. There are several massage membership plans for those wanting to get discounted rates on repeat treatments. Learn more by calling (779) 4231700 or by visiting the website at circleofwellnessrockford.com. ❚
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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
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
Autumn Fun
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.
Attractions & Events
Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
RAM: Bold Abstractions Now thru Jan. 26, daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Featuring paintings from the Thoma collection, exploring new forms of abstract painting Rockford, IL 61101 1.800.521.0849 gorockford.com from the 1960s. RAM, (815) 968-2787, rockfordartmuseum.org. 9/10/07 2:07:37 PM
Wings of Wonder: The Lorikeet Exhibit Now thru Nov. 10, Tues.-Sun. Get an intimate look into the fascinating world of these playful birds. Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, 1354 N. 2nd St., Rockford. (815) 987-8858. Arlo Guthrie Oct. 16, 8 p.m. Folk music icon Guthrie performs his “Alice’s Restaurant" and other hits. Egyptian Theatre, DeKalb, Ill., (815) 758-1215, egyptiantheatre.org. Cameras at the Confluence Oct. 17, 6:30 p.m. This month’s topic is portrait photography. Nature at the Confluence, South Beloit, Ill., (815) 200-6910, natureattheconfluence.com. Weep & Willow Oct. 18, 7:30 p.m. The duo of Miles Nielsen and Kelly Steward layers rich harmonies with honest lyrics. MPAC, Mendelssohn Hall, Rockford, (815) 964-9713, mendelssohnpac.org. Frenchman’s Frolic at Macktown Oct. 19 & 20, 9-4 p.m. Learn how our earliest settlers lived during this historical event pre-1850s rendezvous camp. Games and contests, black powder shooting demonstrations, period crafts, tomahawk throwing and more. Food & drink for sale, admission free. 2221 Freeport Road, Rockton, Ill. Holidazzle Craft Show Oct. 19-20, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. More than 150 crafters offering handmade items. Winnebago Co. Fairgrounds, 500 W. 1st St., Pecatonica, (815) 239-1641, winnebagocountyfair.com. Get the Led Out Oct. 19, 8 p.m. A tribute concert that focuses on the early years and a special acoustic set with Led Zeppelin favorites. Coronado PAC, Rockford, (815) 968-0595, coronadopac.org. Sycamore Pumpkin Festival Oct. 23-27, events daily. Thousands of pumpkins decorate the courthouse lawn, with a Wild West theme. Parade on Sun. Sycamore
(Jon McGinty photo)
down in colorful splendor. This fall, spend some quality time in the fun, nearby, value-packed Rockford Region. See stunning fall colors at
Enjoy learning about the pre-1850s history of our region at Frenchman's Frolic Oct. 19 & 20.
Courthouse & Downtown, 133 W. State St., sycamorepumpkinfestival.com. What’s Funny After 50? Oct. 25, 7:30 p.m. When comedian Dan St. Paul discovered his body changing after he turned 50, he decided to invite others to find the humor in it as well. MAC, Monroe, Wis., (608) 325-5700, monroeartscenter.org. Rock-Con Game Convention Oct. 25-27, Fri. 2-11 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-11 p.m., Sun. to 3 p.m. Historical and fantasy miniature gaming, collectible miniatures, role-playing, board gaming and more. Tebala Event Center, 7910 Newburg Road, Rockford, (815) 4941365, rock-con.com. Disney on Ice Presents: Dream Big Oct. 25-27, Fri. 7 p.m.; Sat. 11 a.m., 3 & 7 p.m.; Sun. 1 & 5 p.m. Discover the bravery of Moana, Jasmine, Ariel, Aurora, Belle & Cinderella. BMO Bank Center, 300 Elm St., (815) 9685222, thebmoharrisbankcenter.com. Katie's Cup - Saturday Midday Music Oct. 26, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Emerald Wind is a gifted sister duo creating beauty and serenity on harp and flute. 502 7th St., Rockford. Learn more at Katiescup.com. 'On Golden Pond' Oct. 25-Nov. 3, Fri.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Cantankerous Norman Thayer and wife Ethel spend summers at their New England vacation home. Janesville Little Theatre, 906 W. Racine St., (608) 756-4172, janesvilletheatre.org. RSO: The Last Night of the Proms Oct. 26, 7:30 p.m. Orchestra favorites, popular sing-alongs, sentimental tunes, including “Sweet Caroline,” “Sound of Music,” “William Tell Overture,” and “Rock Around the Clock.” Coronado PAC, Rockford, (815) 968-0595, coronadopac.org. ❚
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Chef Develops Tasty Fare at Hearthrock Café By Peggy Werner n his second year as head chef of Benson Stone Company’s Hearthrock Café, Todd Cooper is realizing his goal of taking the restaurant to the next level of quality. He’s ensuring customer satisfaction while regularly introducing new food and beverage items. “I’m always inviting customer input and want to cater to their ideas, as well as my own ideas and those of my staff,” he says. “I explore possibilities and try new things while providing the best food at affordable prices.” Recent menu changes include using all free-range grain-fed chicken in recipes, using more smoked meats in some
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tasty new sandwiches and adding specialty seasonal coffees like Salted Caramel Pumpkin Latte, Cinnamon Roll Latte, Caramel Macchiato and Cinnamon Dulce Latte are all on his radar. Newer sandwiches include a Double Bacon BLT, made with fresh guacamole, Roma tomatoes, shredded Romaine lettuce on toasted marble rye; and an apple wood smoked boneless baby back rib sandwich topped with homemade barbeque sauce. Among the most popular menu items are the Smoked Andouille Sausage Flatbread, made with a homemade Marinara sauce, fresh Mozzarella and Parmesan Cheese, red pepper and portabella mushrooms; a Mutated Reuben sandwich, made with a homemade sauce and pickled red cabbage; and traditional signature dishes such as the BBQ pulled pork, which is smoked in-house, and the tender, savory pot roast sandwich.
Todd Cooper
Cooper is following the farm-totable trend, working with seasonal and fresh ingredients as much as possible. New dishes are first introduced as specials. A computerized menu boards above the café counter displays daily and weekly features. ❚
In the Spotlight Top Picks for Local Restaurants Baci’s Kitchen Fast-Casual, dine-in, carry-out. 2990 N. Perryville Road, inside A Perryville Place. (815) 329-6922. Open 7 days/wk. at 8 a.m. BkLD. Complete menu at Baciskitchen.com. Backyard Grill & Bar Casual/American. 5390 Elevator Road, Roscoe, Ill., (815) 623-6677. 2nd St., Loves Park, Ill., (815) 6369430. LD M-Th 11am-midnight, F-Sat to 2am, Sun noon-10 p.m. $-SS. Bravo Pizza Italian/American. 376 Prairie Hill Road, S. Beloit, Ill., (815) 624-7900. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11pm. $. Ciao Bella Ristorante Upscale-Casual/Italian-American. Daily specials. 6500 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park, Ill. (815) 654-9900. LD M-F 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sat. 5-10 p.m. $$ Cucina di Rosa Italian Bistro/Bakery 1620 Bell School Road, (815) 395-5040. BkLD. M-Sat 7am-9pm. $$ Dos Reales Mexican Restaurant Casual/Mexican. 5855 E. State St., (815) 227-4979. LD $-$$. Fresco at the Gardens. Casual/American Café. 318 Spring Creek Road, (815) 316-2256. BkL Daily 7am-3pm. $$ Giordano’s Casual/Italian. Stuffed pizza, salads, entrees, sandwiches, desserts. 33 Executive Parkway, Rockford, (815) 398-5700. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11 pm. Hearthrock Cafe Restaurant/cafe. Baked goods, coffee, breakfast, lunch. Inside Benson Stone Co., 1100 11th St., (815) 227-2000. BkL M-F 7:30am-3pm; Sat. 8am-3pm. $-$$. 26
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Lino’s Italian/American. 5611 E. State St., Rkfd. (815) 397-2077. D M-Sat 4:30am-10pm; Sun. 4:30am-9 pm. $$. Maciano’s Casual Italian. 6746 Broadcast Pkwy., Loves Park, (815) 633-7500; & 5801 Columbia Pkwy., Rkfd., (815) 227-5577. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11pm. $-$$. Mary’s Market Cafe & Bakery Baked goods, sandwiches, salads. 2636 McFarland Road, Rockford, (815) 986-3300; 1659 N. Alpine Road, Rockford, (815) 394-0765; 4431 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 397-7291. BkLD Hours vary by location. $. Olympic Tavern Upscale-Casual/American. 2327 N. Main St., (815) 962-8758. Extensive beer list. LD M-Th 11 a.m.-midnight; Fri-Sat. to 2 a.m. $-$$. Prairie Street Brewhouse Upscale-Casual/American. 200 Prairie St., Rockford, (815) 277-9427. LD Sun-W 11am10pm, Th to midnight, F-Sat to 2am. $-$$. Salamone’s North Italian-American. 2583 N. Mulford Road, Rkfd. LD. Sun. noon-10 p.m.; Mon.-Th 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sat. noon-11 p.m. (815) 639-1200 Stockholm Inn Casual/American, Scandinavian emphasis. 2420 Charles St., Rockford, (815) 397-3534. BkLD M-Sat., Sun. brkfst. only. M-Th 7a.m.-7 p.m.; Fri. & Sat. 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Sun. 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Weekend brunch. Large menu, Swedish pancakes specialty. $$ Taco Betty’s Casual/Mexican-American. 212 E. State St., Rkfd., (815) 977-5650. LD Daily 11am-1am. $$. ❚
Oct. 16
To advertise call 815-316-2300
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Dos Reales
os Reales, 5855 E. State St., Rockford, has been serving up authentic Mexican fare and signature margaritas, along with some American fare, since 1998. Its recently updated menu features a burrito cheesesteak and chimichangas, along with newer items such as torta Mexicana, a Mexican style of sandwich filled with grilled chicken or steak; sopes Mexicanos, a traditional Mexican dish served with rice and beans; and molletes, a traditional Mexican meal with toasted bread covered in refried beans and grilled steak. Dos Reales offers glutenfree options, and dishes are mild unless a guest requests spicy. “We prepare everything from scratch and purchase our products from local sources,” says Jose Gonzalez, Dos Reales’s manager. Dos Reales is open Sun.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-10 p.m., and Fri.-Sat. until 10:30 p.m. ❚
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Oct. 16
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Need Cash? Consider a Home Equity Loan By Peggy Werner
P
eople agonizing over how to pay expenses may be overlooking a solution in their own backyard. “Your home may be an untapped source of funds you could use to your advantage,” says Matt Lynch, Director of Marketing for MembersAlliance Credit Union, 2550 S. Alpine Road. “Most people are aware of home equity loans, but many don’t think of them as an option when they need money.” Home equity loans can be used to pay for home renovations, debt consolidation, college or wedding expenses, vehicle purchases and more. The advantages of home equity loans, in most cases, are lower interest rates and closing costs, with fewer regulatory restrictions and fees. This is because the homeowner is not making a new purchase so the regulatory environment is not as cumbersome.
People often make the mistake of thinking what they’ve already paid on the home figures into the equation, but that’s not necessarily the case. What you can borrow depends on the current value of your home versus what you still owe. Every financial institution has different types of home equity offerings, interest rates and repayment plans. Rising home values are good news for people who want to access extra cash without paying prohibitively high interest rates. When borrowing money using a home equity loan, you receive the money in a lump sum and have a fixed interest rate, explains Lynch. This type of loan is not to be confused with a home equity line of credit (HELOC), which is an available maximum amount you can draw money from multiple times whenever you need it. Unlike a home equity loan, a HELOC usually has an adjustable interest rate. It’s a revolving loan, operating similarly to a
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credit card in that you only repay based on what you choose to spend at any given time. The interest rate is much more favorable than a credit card’s interest rate. Learn more by going to membersalliance.org or any MembersAlliance Credit Union location. MembersAlliance has Rockford locations at 2550 S. Alpine Road, 6951 Olde Creek Road, and inside the Wal-Mart Supercenters on West Riverside Boulevard, Walton Street and the Wal-Mart on Rockton Road. Experienced loan officers are available at all locations. Preapproval applications are available online. ❚
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To advertise call 815-316-2300
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