Smart Living Weekly - June 7, 2017

Smart L iving Weekly Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • Rockford Region/Beloit/Freeport 95¢ • June 7, 2017

™

Right in Our Region

Midsommar Fest at Erlander Museum

See Page 16

All About Eye Floaters Is it Time to Remodel Your Kitchen?

Get Outside, Get Healthy!

Heritage Days in Belvidere Your Fun: What To Do This Week

FREE WIN!

2 Event Passes to Old Settlers Days

See Pg. 28 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!

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In This Issue

Right in Our Region ........................Cover & p. 16 Midsommar Festival Your Home .................................................. ..... 11 Don’t Crumble in the Face of Challenges Inspiration & Worship ......................................12 Why Pentecost Matters so Much Your Kitchen .....................................................15 Home Upgrades Make Sense Any Time Outdoor Living ..................................................19 Get Outside, Get Healthy at Forest Preserves Your Outings .....................................................21 Enjoy Belvidere’s Best at Heritage Days Your Health ............................................. .......... 23 Treatment for Eye Floaters Your Fun ................................................... ......... 25

Restaurant of the Week ................................... 26 GreenFire Bakery Dining Locally .......................................... ........ 26 Your Money .............................................. ......... 29 Don’t Be Afraid to Learn Money Basics

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 Writer Peggy Werner General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes Advertising Sales Representatives Brian Hughes, Jeremy Jones, Bob Ulmer, Nita Lasky 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 2017 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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Why Buy Local S mart Living Weekly is all about strengthening locally owned businesses in Greater Rockford. It’s also about sharing knowledge. In every issue, we search out great offers and tips from local businesses to help you save money and live better.

Being a cheerleader for our region is nothing new to our staff. For 12 years, we’ve produced Northwest Quarterly, a magazine that showcases the best of life in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.

Our latest edition is hot off the press, and, as usual, it’s filled with stories about this region’s homegrown local businesses and the leaders behind them.

We sincerely believe that our region is a wonderful place to live, work and play.

But we’re tired of seeing national chain stores take over our city. Did you know that about 80 cents on every dollar spent at a big-box store leaves our community?

Each week, homeowners are assaulted by a barrage of chain store ad circulars. Locally owned businesses just can’t compete against this expensive advertising. We’re changing all of that by providing blanket coverage through Smart Living Weekly.

And we’re determined to help you, the consumer, connect with the businesses that will serve you best.

Why do local businesses serve you best? They’re accountable to you. Their owners live, work and play here. If you have a complaint, they can’t hide behind a remote 1-800 customer service number.

Also, they spend their money by hiring local accountants, bankers, insurance agents, attorneys … you get the idea.

Sure, we all do some shopping at chain stores. But economists estimate that if we shifted just 10 percent of our dollars to locally owned businesses, our region would see more than $1 million in new economic activity and hundreds of new jobs.

What are we waiting for?

Janine Pumilia Managing Editor

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The Rockton Lions Club presents

FROM YOUR CAR TO THE GATE...

DON’T BE LATE! Give yourself a little extra time and park at Hononegah High School this year!

June 15-18 Rockton, IL

For information or to purchase tickets visit

Blackhawk Blvd.

i

Tickets & Badges

Salem

Bridge

Hwy. 75

Union Street/Rockton Road to Rt. 2 Hwy. 251 & I90

Information Booth

PARKING

Hononegah H.S.

Main Street

Entrance Handicapped Parking

W

Entrance* Entrance

N

E

S

Hawick Street

* There are no tickets sales available at this location.

OldSettlersDays.com Festival Grounds

SMTD is there to help you get to the grounds AND back to your car. Rain or shine. Avoid the hassle and take the bus. IT’S FREE! Public Transportation serving the Rockton, Roscoe and South Beloit area.

Stateline Mass Transit District

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June 7

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The Yard Care Experts

MOWING FERTILIZING HYDROSEEDING MOSQUITO CONTROL Call Today for a Free Estimate

815.877.3500 EwaldServices.com

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Y H  G

Don’t Crumble in the Face of Challenges!

By Peggy Werner arry Lazzerini sees opportunity where others crumble in defeat.

As the owner of Premier Pavement Solutions, 5059 Contractors Drive, in Loves Park, he has been in business for more than 30 years and knows how to reinvent himself and adapt to circumstances beyond his control.

In business for himself as Premier Pavement Solutions since 2012, Lazzerini brings a diverse experience to customers.

Premier Pavement Solutions is a full-service asphalt company specializing in sealcoating, infrared repairs, striping and markings, asphalt maintenance, crack filling, pothole repair, collapsed drains and snowplowing/salting, during the winter, for the City of Rockford and its residents.

A specially formulated Seal Master Brand sealcoat is made exclusively for his company by a manufacturer in

L

Streamwood, Ill., and comes with a letter of authenticity. Latex and sand are added to the product to make it stronger, more flexible and durable.

Sealcoating improves the appearance of a driveway and protects it from the damaging effects of sun, water, salt and chemical spills like oil and gasoline from cars. The non-porous coating makes cleaning easier and provides a smooth surface for rain to wash away dirt and debris. Regular maintenance can double the life of a new driveway, Lazzerini says, and needs to be done between May and November.

What sets him apart from the competition is customer service, or what Lazzerini calls the “Premier Difference,” which consists of going to each home before and after a job is completed.

Repeat customers have priority on the schedule and get discounted pricing.

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Signs homeowners need to watch out for, in order to know when to replace or repair a driveway, include discoloration, the top of the driveway pulling away from the garage, deep cracks and holes where water can seep in, loose rock and broken edges.

Lazzerini warns that many scam artists try to take advantage of homeowners.

“You don’t know where they’re from, if they will be around, what’s in their product and how watered down it is,” he says. ❚

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I  W

Why Pentecost Matters So Much

S

ometimes we lose sight of the most important things we have. But much like finding old treasure in an attic, the rediscovery can be magical. So it is with the gift of holy spirit, first given to followers of Christ on a Jewish holiday more than 2,000 years ago.

This past Sunday, June 4, Christians around the world celebrated Pentecost, which is 50 days after Easter and closes the Easter season. It marks the day God chose to equip His children with the spiritual power and courage needed to carry Christ’s message to the world.

In Acts 1:4-5, just before he ascends to Heaven, the resurrected Christ tells his apostles to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the gift his Father has promised them.

“For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the holy spirit.”

By Acts 2:1, when the day of Pentecost had come, miracles commenced. After receiving holy spirit and witnessing the miracles, Peter boldly quotes the prophesy of Joel, about the coming of this day, then bravely preaches Christ. Shortly before this, he had been denying Christ and cowering in fear of authorities. “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about 3,000 were added to their number that day.” (Acts 2:41).

It’s significant that God chose the Jewish holiday of Pentecost to bestow the gift of holy spirit on mankind. Also known as the Feast of Weeks, Pentecost (“penta” means five) commemorates the day Moses received the law (Torah) on Mt. Sinai, 50 days after death “passed over” (hence Passover) the firstborn Jews in Egypt who painted their doorposts with the blood of a sacrificed lamb to escape the 10th plague wrought by God through Moses.

So, the Age of Law began at Sinai 50 days after Passover; the Age of Love began in Jerusalem 50 days after Easter, when holy spirit was given to those who believe in Jesus Christ, “our Passover lamb” (I Cor. 5:7b), who spilled his blood, causing eternal death to “pass over” those who believe, even to this day.

Enjoy your treasure hunting in Acts chapters 1 and 2. ❚ – Janine Pumilia 12

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Y K

Home Upgrades Make Sense Any Time

By Janine Pumilia, managing editor

T

he majority of today’s homebuyers are looking for homes that have been updated, and they’re willing to pay more for them. “In fact, we find that if the home is not updated and fresh, it will always be reflected in a much lower selling price,” says Frank Gambino, owner of Gambino Realtors and Gambino Building and Remodeling.

And, those people who update their homes just for their own enjoyment reap a significant psychological benefit.

“They feel better and happier about their surroundings,” says Gambino.

For more than 90 years, the Gambinos have been leaders in selling real estate as well as building and remodeling homes in the region.

Recently, Gambino opened a new building/remodeling design center and showroom at 6114 E. Riverside Blvd.,

in Loves Park, to help customers have a better experience with the design and decision-making process.

“The advantage for our customers is that it’s more convenient and the showroom offers a wider sampling of kitchen and bath materials and ideas,” says Gambino. “People are very visual. It’s a lot easier to have something to look at before a plan is set in stone. We’re able to really talk and look over the options, so we feel we’re making the right decision.”

Gambino’s contractors average 20 years or more of working for the Gambinos. “We believe in quality and trustworthy craftsmen,” says Gambino. “What sets us apart from the box stores and other remodelers is that we handle the pro-

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cess from start to finish. Because we do the design work for the project, as well as supply all labor and many of the products, our customers only have one point of contact for all of their needs. Gambino Building and Remodeling’s showroom is open to the public and you can stop in anytime. In some instances, you can get a quote right there for your project.”

Call (815) 637-0113 to learn more. ❚

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R  O R

Midsommar Festival Honors Swedish Culture B y To n i R o c h a

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lways a highlight of Rockford’s summer scene, this year’s Swedish Historical Society’s Midsommar Festival promises to be even more fun for festivalgoers, with a major schedule change.

“This year, Midsommar will take place on Friday, June 16, and Saturday, June 17, instead of the traditional oneday celebration of the summer equinox,” says Tim Krumland, site manager for the society’s multiple-lot campus. “We booked the concerts for Friday night

in order to attract the City Market crowd.”

Midsommar Festival kicks off at 4:30 p.m. on Friday when the grounds open at 404 S. Third St., just off Kishwaukee Street at the intersection of Third and Grove streets.

“Our live-music event opens with Radio Shine at 6 p.m., followed by ABBA Salute, a Chicago group that performs hit songs from Sweden’s popular ABBA rock band,” Krumland says. “Prairie Street Brewhouse will provide the food and beverages, including hot dogs, BBQs and more festival food for both days.”

Admission for Friday night’s concert is $20 for nonmembers and $10 for society members. While past Midsommar

Festivals lasted a full day on Saturday, this year’s Saturday schedule opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 4 p.m.

“Traditionally, Sweden’s Midsommar Festival celebrated the longest day of the year,” Krumland explains. “Sweden’s festivals revolve around nature and the seasons, and this is the day that people can be outdoors all day long.”

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R  O R Krumland says that Rockford’s Saturday festival will feature not only Prairie Street Brewery’s food, but also such seasonal treats as strawberries and ice cream, plus Swedish food including ham sandwiches, to reflect Swedish tradition. The Stockholm Inn will serve up its famous Swedish pancakes and meatballs, as well.

“Another iconic event for Midsommar Festival is the raising of the May Pole, in this case a tree decorated with flowers. We dance and sing around the May Pole,” Krumland says. “Also traditional are the flower crowns that are made by the women and children of Sweden who pick the flowers and weave them to be worn as head decoration. We will have those for sale.”

While there is no admission to the Saturday portion of the festival, guests can purchase food and beverage tickets and tour the historic Erlander House for a $5 fee for nonmembers.

“We’ll have live music playing pretty much all day, from local groups such

as Svea Sonar,” Krumland says. “Activities designed for children include crafting and a castle bounce house at the rear of the museum.”

The Swedish Historical Society owns three pieces of land at the intersection of Third and Grove streets, which not only allows for parking, but also includes a new Nordic Cultural Center, dedicated to accommodating special activities connected to the Scandinavian community.

The building houses exhibits and more.

“Additionally, vendors will set up to offer Swedish crafts and specialties,” Krumland says. “Visitors can browse through handmade decorations and crafts.

I expect lots of really cool stuff.”

And to add an even more appropriate dimension to the Midsommar Festival, Saturday’s event includes a Volvo car show featuring vintage vehicles as well as new models.

“Visitors are encouraged to vote for their favorite,” Krumland says. “It will be a full day, everything from Vikings to

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Volvos.”

For more information about Midsommar Festival, call the Swedish Historical Society at (815) 963-5559 or visit its website at swedishhistorical.org. ❚

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O L

Forest Preserves: Get Outside, Get Healthy!

T he free Winnebago County Forest Preserves program ‘Get Outside, Get Healthy!’ kicked off at Hononegah Forest Preserve on Saturday, May 20. An afternoon of games, exhibits, crafts and demonstrations showed visitors some of the nature adventures offered through this summer’s Get Outside, Get Healthy! passport booklet.

Pick up a passport for yourself and get all the information you need to take full advantage of the many opportunities and activities happening through July 30 in area forest preserves.

Get Outside, Get Healthy! is a free program that encourages people of all ages to discover the health benefits of spending time in nature. Participants can connect with nature through a full schedule of diverse outdoor opportunities such as guided hikes, nature study, camping, golf, bird watching, river study, paddling trips, fun runs, archaeology and more.

Bring your Get Outside, Get Healthy! passport with you to all of the self-guided and guided activities and have it validated so you can earn points to qualify for the grand prize.

This year’s grand prize is a fabulous gift basket overflowing with valuable gifts to enhance your enjoyment of the outdoors, including: • One-year Severson Dells Nature Center family membership • One-year Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden family membership • Certificate for a guided paddle trip with Rocktown Adventures, outdoor retailer and adventure club • Gift certificate for Macktown, Atwood Homestead or The Ledges Golf Course • Birding cap from Sand Bluff Observatory • Award-winning nature guide books • FPWC backpacks

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• Many more items to enhance your nature explorations.

Passports can be picked up at any of these participating locations: FPWC Headquarters, 5500 Northrock Dr., Rockford; Severson Dells Nature Center, 8786 Montague Road, Rockford; Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden, 2715 S. Main St., Rockford; and Sand Bluff Bird Observatory, 5209 Haas Road, Shirland.

Get Outside, Get Healthy! is a free community program presented by the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County. ❚

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Y O

Heritage Days Celebrates All That is Belvidere F B y To n i R o c h a

or more than 45 years, Belvidere has celebrated its unique history and diversity on the weekend before July 4th.

Over the past several years, the activities have spread far beyond the signature parade and fireworks downtown.

“Last year, we estimated 22,000 attended,” says Mayor Michael Chamberlain. “Thanks to tremendous cooperation, supporters and partnerships, we not only are able to put on a huge variety of activities and attractions but also have finished in the black.”

Heritage Days starts early on Friday, June 23, in downtown Belvidere with an invitation to paint wooden panels that will be assembled and displayed as murals on downtown buildings.

Children can enjoy carnival rides in Jack Wolf Auto’s parking lot and the movie “Minions” in the park, while adults have fun with the street dance and

laser light show downtown.

Out at the Boone County Fairgrounds, there’s an SCA-sanctioned steak throw-down cooking up good times at 4 p.m., followed by a steak dinner hosted by the Belvidere Athletic Alumni Club.

Saturday features the Brick Art Fair, Paint on State and a continuation of the mural painting. Visitors can tour the car show, shop the vintage flea market and catch musical performances. Dairy Ripple offers pony rides, face painting and wax handcraft works for children.

Out at the fairgrounds, the Kansas City BBQ Society-sanctioned cook-off draws chefs from across the region.

The competition downtown heats up, as well, with a 5K walk or run, a 10K elite run, and an old-fashioned water fight for regional firefighters, to be held from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.

On Sunday, a patriotic worship ser-

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vice will be held at 10 a.m. before the bed races kick off at noon.

At 3 p.m., the huge parade begins its march through downtown.

The grand finale at the fairgrounds features a pre-fireworks concert from 7 to 9 p.m., followed by one of the largest fireworks displays in the region.

“Our fireworks rival Rockford’s, thanks to the support of a donor,” Chamberlain says.

For more information, visit ci.belvidere.il.us. ❚

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Y H

Treating the ‘Little Insects’ in Your Eyes

By Lindsey Gapen, assistant managing editor

F

loaters aren’t usually a serious problem, but they can be annoying.

“They look like little insects flying around in front of you,” Yavitz says. “It bothers people – they think there’s something in front of them when there’s not. It’s actually a problem inside the eye.”

People often complain of floaters after they get cataract surgery, Yavitz adds. Floaters are also more common in people who are nearsighted or who have had inflammation in their eyes.

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, floaters are tiny clumps of gel or cells that float inside the vitreous of your eye. These tiny clumps

looking at something plain, like a blank wall or blue sky.

Though floaters tend to fade away over time, ophthalmologists can remove severe occurrences by surgery. Yavitz removes floaters at his office, saving patients up to $500 in comparison to going to a surgery center.

“I use a laser to remove them,” Yavitz says. “I can see them by shining a light into the eye under a lens. They look like little white specks floating around, and I use the laser to disintegrate them.” ❚ look like small specks, dots, circles, lines or cobwebs in your field of vision. They deceivingly appear to be floating in front of you, and are easier to notice when

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JASON SNORECK 630-239-8545

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10006 W 190TH PLACE MOKENA

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.

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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

Starlight Presents “Beauty and the Beast” June 7-10, Wed.-Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.; July 5-9, Wed.-Sun. 8 p.m. This classic story follows Belle, 1.800.521.0849 a young woman in a provincial Rockford, IL 61101 gorockford.com French town who becomes a captive of the Beast, who is actually a young prince trapped under a spell. Starlight Theatre, Rock Valley College, 3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford, (815) 921-2160, rockfordsymphony.com.

9/10/07 2:07:37 PM

Wildflower Walkabout: Kieselburg Forest Preserve June 7, 6 p.m. Discover the natural beauties of native prairie remnants and restorations of northcentral Illinois. Kiseslburg Forest Preserve, 5801 Swanson Road, Roscoe, Ill., naturallandinstitute. tumblr.com.

Dwight Yoakem June 8, 8 p.m. Dwight Yoakem is a multiple Grammy Award winner, with five albums topping Billboard’s Country Albums chart.

Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 968-0595, coronadopac.org.

Rockford Art Museum: “Bittersweet Observations” June 9-Oct. 1, daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m. This whimsical feature exhibition explores the beauty and wonder, and sometimes darker side, of modern fairy tales. Rockford Art Museum (RAM), 711 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 968-2787, rockfordartmuseum.org.

Concerts on the Creek: Emily Hurd June 10, 7 p.m., doors 6 p.m. Singer-songwriter and pianist Emily Hurd performs in the Concerts on the Creek music series. Spring Creek UCC, 4500 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, (815) 8772576, springcreekucc.org.

Explore Rockford Roots June 11. Tinker Swiss Cottage, Klehm Arboretum and The Ethnic Heritage Museum partner to offer free tours throughout the day. Each location additionally offers food coupons redeemable at eight area establishments. Tinker Swiss Cottage, Klehm Arboretum and The Ethnic Heritage Museum, Rockford, gorockford.com.

AJG Tuesday Evenings in the Gardens: Tom Mac Group June 13, Doors open 5 p.m., performance 5:45 p.m. Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring

Wilco, a Chicago-based alternative rock band, performs at the Coronado on June 14.

Creek Road, Rockford, (815) 229-9390, andersongardens.org.

2017 Wildflower Walkabout Series June 13, 21 & 27, 6 p.m. The Natural Land Institute and Severson Dells invite you to experience the Illinois landscape in a variety of preserves. Walk where flowers carpet the forest floor and birds fill the air. Check website for locations. Info: naturalland.org/docs/2017_ Walkabout.pdf.

Wilco June 14, 7:30 p.m. This Chicago-based alternative rock band produces an eclectic indie rock sound. Coronado Performing Arts Center, Rockford, (815) 968-0595, coronadopac.org.

Starlight Presents “Peter and the Starcatcher” June 14-17, Wed.-Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 2 & 8 p.m.; July 12-16, Wed.-Sun. 8 p.m. This Tony-winning production upends the century-old story of how a miserable orphan comes to be Peter Pan. “Peter and the Starcatcher” playfully explores the depths of greed and despair and the bonds of friendship, duty and love. Starlight Theater, Rockford, (815) 921-2160, rockvalleycollege.edu.

Old Settlers Days June 15-18, Thurs. 5-10 p.m., Fri. 4-11 p.m., Sat. noon-11 p.m., Sun. 2-9:30 p.m. Benefitting the Rockton Lions Club Charities, this festival features a midway, a rent-a-firefighter silent auction, live entertainment, a parade, food booths and a beer tent. Blood Drive Thurs.; Sat. 5K Run/ Walk. Guests are invited to bring a pair of eyeglasses for the Lions Club to recycle. Location: Settlers Park, 100 E. Hawick St., Rockton, Ill. Info: Rockton Lions Club, Rockton, Ill., (815) 206-8525. ❚

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

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WDL

Dreamy Desserts at GreenFire Bakery

By Peggy Werner

P

astry Chef Nancy Bedows of GreenFire Restaurant, Bakery and Bar, 6795 E. Riverside Blvd., Rockford, is the mastermind behind creations that are as much a feast for the eyes as for the palate.

The display case is filled with cakes, cupcakes, pies, cheesecakes, muffins, cookies and more that reveal her creativity, artistry and dedication to her work.

She credits two people for who she is today; her mom, Delores, and her former boss, the late Philippe Forcioli, who owned Café Patou and later opened GreenFire.

“My mom could just pull things out of the cupboard and make something out of nothing. I just can’t say enough about her. Philippe taught me to never give up and to experiment with flavors,” she says.

Today, she’s always thinking about what to bake next with the freshest of ingredients and seasonal items.

“I start out with one flavor, like a raspberry, and then I start thinking about what other flavors will go with it,” she says.

The results are amazing.

To name just a few, Cookies and Cream Cake is a chocolate layer cake with mascarpone cookie filling; Blackberry Lemon Cake is vanilla cake made with fresh blackberries, lemon custard and blackberry Italian meringue butter cream; Silky Bliss is a chocolate chip cookie cup filled with a Belgium chocolate mousse; and Peanut Butter Bomb is a chocolate cake with a salted caramel center topped with peanut butter mousse and nuts. Then, there’s Prickly Pear Wonder Cake, made with a vanilla cake soaked in prickly pear liqueur and layered with

fresh mixed berries. This recipe took three years to perfect, she says, and was inspired by her sister, who has a gluten allergy and is vegetarian.

GreenFire Owner Shendet Ismajlaj says the prickly pear cake is popular with everyone, regardless of dietary restrictions.

“When she makes it, it’s gone.

Nancy is a hard worker and I’m lucky to have her on my staff,” Ismajlaj says.

“Our desserts are about flavor and texture and are not made with a lot of sugar.” ❚

In the Spotlight

Top Picks for Local Restaurants 9 East Coffee E Casual/Coffeehouse. Specialty coffees, pas- GreenFire E Upscale-Casual/American contemporary. Seatries, breakfast, lunch. 9 E. Stephenson St., Freeport, (815) sonal cuisine; local-sourced ingredients; gourmet market; live entertainment. 6795 E. Riverside Blvd., Rockford, (815) 233-7300. BkL M-F 7am-3pm, Sat to 2pm. $ 316-3473. BkLD M-F 11am, Sat-Sun 8am. Bar open late. $$$.

Arturo’s Mexican Restaurant E Casual/Authentic Mexican. 107 W. Main St., Poplar Grove, Ill., (815) 765-1144. LD M 11am-8pm, Local Dough Cafe E Restaurant/cafe. Baked goods, breakfast, lunch, dinner, beer, wine. 202 W. Main St., Rockton, Ill., T-Th to 9pm, F to 10pm, Sun noon-8pm. $.

(815) 957-0584. BkLD W-Sun 7am-6pm. $.

Bravo Pizza E Italian/American. 376 Prairie Hill Road, South Beloit, Ill., (815) 624-7900. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11pm. $. Hearthrock Cafe E Restaurant/cafe. Baked goods, coffee, breakfast, lunch. Inside Benson Stone Co., 1100 11th St., Cannova’s Italian Cuisine E Casual. 1101 W. Empire St., FreeRockford, (815) 227-2000. BkL M-F 7:30am-3pm; Sat. 8amport, (815) 233-0032. D T-Th, Sun 5-9pm; F-Sat 10pm. $-$$.

3pm. $-$$.

Costa’s Ristorante E Upscale-Casual/Italian. 133 Blackhawk Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint E Fine Dining. Ironworks Dr., Byron, Ill., (815) 234-4707. LD Daily 4pm. $-$$.

Hotel, 500 Pleasant St., Beloit, (608) 313-0700. D Sun-Th Dickey’s Barbecue Pit ECasual/BBQ. 845 S. Perryville Road, 4:30-9pm, Fri-Sat to 10pm. $$.

Rockford, (815) 599-1110. LD Daily 11am-9pm. $-$$.

Prairie Street Brewhouse E Upscale-Casual/American. 200 Dos Reales Mexican Restaurant E Casual/Mexican. Authen- Prairie St., Rockford, (815) 277-9427. LD Sun-W 11am-10pm, tic dishes, lunch menu. 5855 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 227- Th to midnight, F-Sat to 2am. $-$$.

4979. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 10:30pm. $-$$.

Taco Betty’s E Casual/Mexican-American. 212 E. State St., Fresco at the Gardens. E Casual/American Café. Fresh, lo- Rockford, (815) 977-5650. LD Daily 11am-1am $$. cal-sourced ingredients. 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, Thrive Café E Casual/Cafe. Salads, wraps, sandwiches, (815) 316-2256. BkL Daily 7am-3pm. $$ smoothies, cold-pressed juices. Inside Peak Fitness, 4401 Peak Giordano’s E Casual/Italian. Stuffed pizza, salads, entrees, Drive, Loves Park, Ill. BkLD M-F 6am-8pm, Sat 8am-2pm. sandwiches, desserts. 33 Executive Parkway, Rockford, (815) Vito’s Ristorante E Casual/Fine Dining. Carry-out, steak & 398-5700. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11 pm. seafood, Italian specialties, pizza. 4866 Bluestem Road, Roscoe, Ill., (815) 312-5080. D M-Sat 4pm. $-$$. ❚ 26

Smart Living Weekly

June 7

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C

Cannova’s

annova’s has been serving up authentic Italian dishes and pizza since Anthony and Philippina Cannova started the restaurant in 1921.

Today, their granddaughter, Linda, and her husband, Patrick Beckman, carry on the tradition, at 1101 W. Empire St. They use many original recipes for pizza, spaghetti sauce, Italian beef, fresh bread and pizza dough.

House specials include a Sicilian filet, marinated in olive oil and red wine; Italian-style baked cod; and seafood Alfredo. Linda’s made-from-scratch desserts include tiramisu, cheesecake and chocolate spoon cake.

Then there are the award-winning pizzas: the Classic; the New York; the double-crusted Gloria Read, named for a longtime customer; and the Sicilian.

Cannova’s is open Sun.-Tues. 5-10 p.m. and Fri.-Sat. until 11 p.m. ❚

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Y M

Don’t Be Afraid to Learn Money Basics

By Peggy Werner

T

eaching people of all ages how money works is part of the mission of MembersAlliance Credit Union, 2550 S. Alpine Road, Rockford.

Educating middle and high school students about the basics of financial literacy is one of the responsibilities of Anna Hauck, director of training and development. Hauck has worked in the financial services industry for more than 16 years and is studying to earn her Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor designation through the Credit Union National Association.

“I’ve seen students come in with their first paycheck and hand it over, not knowing at all what to do with it,” says Hauck.

“Others have come in to apply for their first loan or credit card, without understanding what they need to get a loan, only knowing that they need the money.There are even instances in which young adults

applying for credit for the first time find out someone has stolen their identity.”

In some cases, family members or friends have used a minor’s personal information to obtain services that require sufficient credit ratings because their own credit isn’t adequate.

Unfortunately, there are many people who never learned to manage their money or who have had bad experiences with a checking account or loan and ultimately decide to deal in cash only.

Two years ago, MembersAlliance began sponsoring Banzai, an online financial literacy program available to area teachers and students. The response was so positive that the program was expanded to provide in-class presentations on banking basics, credit and budgeting.

Hauck and other credit union professionals have taken the program to more than 2,300 students in 16 schools, both public and private, in Winnebago, Boone and

Ogle counties.

“If I just reach one student, it’s time well spent,” says Hauck. “That will be one less person struggling to understand and manage money later in life. Informing the students before they begin their financial lives will not only help them, but will also help our communities.”

MembersAlliance also has Rockford branch locations at 6951 Olde Creek Road, and inside the Wal-Mart Supercenters on West Riverside Boulevard, Walton Street and Rockton Road. ❚

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June 7

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