Sm mart a r t L iving Weekly Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • Rockford Region/Beloit/Freeport 95¢ • July 26, 2017
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Right in Our Region
Lee Ann Womack Headlines Festa Italiana
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Organize Your Closets Hit the Links at Beaver Creek Shop the Blocks Downtown All About Eye Floaters Loads of Summer Fun Events!
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2 Tickets to Magic Waters
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In This Issue
Right in Our Region ........................Cover & p. 16 Festa Italia Your Home .................................................. ..... 11 Organize Your Home Inspiration & Worship ......................................12 What is Character? Outdoor Living .............................................. ....21 Hit the Links at Beaver Creek Your Kitchen .....................................................15 Easy Meal Ideas Your Health ............................................. .......... 23 What to Know About Eye Floaters Your Fun ................................................... ......... 25
Restaurant of the Week ................................... 26 Cucina di Rosa Dining Locally .......................................... ........ 26
Your Outing .............................................. ......... 19 Shop the Blocks in Downtown Rockford Your Technology ...................................... ......... 29 Save Money on Security and Tech Services
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Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Managing Editor Janine Pumilia
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Good Things, Good People
NEW THIS YEAR! SPECIAL THURSDAY NIGHT CONCERT!
“P
eople are doing good things all the time – we just hear more about the ones doing bad things.” My mom told me this often, but it wasn’t until I became a journalist that I learned how right she was. It’s easy to get your name in the paper if you commit a crime, not so easy if you do something good. Thankfully, most well-adjusted human beings don’t insatiably crave publicity. Even so, I’d like to give a shout-out to some people I heard about this week. John Sommer, owner of the Don Carter Lanes group of five local bowling centers, recently was recognized for raising more than $100,000 for The Bowlers to Veterans Link (BVL), a charity that provides recreational and therapeutic programs to veterans recuperating in VA medical centers nationwide. He set a record by raising $25,000 in 2016 alone. A veteran of the Vietnam War, Sommer took up the cause more than 10 years ago. He also developed BVL’s Lanes for the Troops kits, which are portable carpet bowling lanes used in more than 500 active duty units around the world, providing troops with a chance to step away from the stress of active duty. Learn more about this charity at BowlforVeterans.org. I’d also like to congratulate our local WNIJ public radio newsroom team for earning second place in a national news directors competition for a five-part news series called “Great Lakes Basin Railroad: Down the Line,” which aired last December. This is no small accomplishment, given the many fine public radio news teams in cities across the U.S. Hats off to Guy Stephens, Jenna Dooley, Chase Cavanaugh and Sue Stephens for contributing excellence to the free press that educates our citizenry and sets our democratic republic apart from those who rule through propaganda. Good things are happening every day. Have week! ❚
a
Grammy Award Winning
Lee Ann Womack August 3, 2017
Doors open at 6 pm Show starts at 7 pm $30 per ticket plus receive a free weekend pass to Festa Italiana!
August 4-6, 2017 • Boylan High School festaitalianarockford.com
good
Janine Pumilia Managing Editor
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Y H G
An Organized Home Decreases Your Stress By Janine Pumilia, managing editor
W
hen Joe Weller began installing closet systems more than 30 years ago, options were pretty limited. “When I started in this business in 1985, most everything was shelf and pole construction and closet design wasn’t talked about much. That has changed,” says the owner of Shelving & Bath Unlimited, 4337 S. Perryville Road, Cherry Valley, Ill. Today, almost 80 percent of Weller’s customers opt for custom laminate closet systems that look like finished wood cabinets. Along with more than 50 melamine colors and textures, there are 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 reach-in closets by having them professionally designed. Either way, it’s the design expertise offered by Shelving Unlimited that makes it possible to meet organization goals. “It’s all about good design,” says Weller. “You can have the largest Taj Mahal-type closet in the world, but if it’s not functioning well it can become one more mess to deal with. Good organization saves you time and prevents frustration.” Weller also designs storage solutions for the pantry, garage, laundry room, home office and basement.
“Good organizational design plays a big role in making a home more functional and enjoyable,” he says. Along with adjustable-shelf laminate storage, Shelving Unlimited offers wireshelving systems by Rubbermaid, the No. 1 brand in the industry. ❚
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I W
About Character
C
haracter. What is it? Some have said it’s what you do when no one is watching. One dictionary definition is “The aggregate of features and traits that form the individual nature of some person or thing.” What features and traits does God ask us to make part of our nature? Those modeled by Jesus Christ. Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. – I John 2:6 (ESV) Here are just a few of the traits Jesus modeled during his 33 years in the world. Prayerfulness But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. – Luke 5:16
Student of Scripture “It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God,” Jesus tells Satan in Matthew 4:2-4 Courage, Love, Self-Control For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. – I Timothy 1:7 (ESV)
Full of Grace and Truth We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. – John 1:1b (NIV)
Compassionate, Ready to Teach When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. – Mark 6:34
Forgiving, Not Vengeful But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. – Luke 6:27 & 28 (NIV) Attitude of a Servant (NOT a bully) The son of man came not to be served but to serve. – Mark 10:45
Humble and Obedient to God “He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of – Janine Pumilia the cross.” ❚ 12
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Y K
Smart Meals for Busy Families E
ase your way into a busy new school year with easy dishes you can prepare and serve in minutes. Keep versatile ingredients on hand that you can use in a variety of ways. For example, pre-sliced pepperoni is perfect for quick snacks, but it’s also great for a new take on grilled cheese sandwiches. Another idea is to keep frozen meatballs handy. Not only do fully cooked meatballs save plenty of time, they bring great flavor to dishes like macaroni and cheese.
Grilled Cheese and Pepperoni Sandwiches
Ingredients 2 Tb. butter or margarine 8 slices white or whole-grain bread 8 slices cheddar or American cheese 32 Armour pepperoni slices 1 cup roasted red pepper strips or 4 thin tomato slices (optional)
Directions Spread butter over one side of each bread slice. Put four slices of bread on sheet of waxed paper, buttered-side down. Top each slice of bread with one cheese slice, eight slices pepperoni, 1/4 cup peppers or sliced tomato, if desired, and additional cheese slice. Top sandwiches with remaining bread, buttered-side up. Heat large, nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add two sandwiches; cook 4-5 minutes per side, or until cheese is melted and sandwiches are golden brown. Repeat with remaining sandwiches.
Cheesy Mac and Meatballs
Ingredients 12 ounces elbow macaroni, uncooked 1 package (14 ounces) Armour original meatballs, thawed
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12 ounces shredded cheddar cheese 1 cup milk Directions Cook pasta according to package directions. Cut meatballs in half. In large saucepan over medium heat, combine shredded cheddar cheese and milk, stirring until smooth. Stir in meatballs; cover and simmer 5 minutes, or until meatballs are hot. Drain macaroni; stir into meatball mixture. ❚ Source: Family Features
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July 26
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R O R
Everyone Enjoys Festa, Italian or Not By Peggy Werner ou don’t have to be Italian to enjoy Festa Italiana; you just have to love the Italian spirit that brings together family and friends to enjoy great music, food, and fun all weekend long. This year’s festival opens at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 3, at 4000 St. Francis Drive, on the grounds of Boylan High School, with Grammy-winning vocalist and country music super star Lee Ann Womack singing at 7 p.m. She’ll perform hit songs including “There’s More Where That Came From,” “Call Me Crazy,” “I Hope You Dance,” and “The Way I’m Livin.’” Tickets are $30, which includes a weekend pass to Festa, and can be ordered by going to leeannwomack.com and clicking on “the road” tab or call (800) 965-9324. Rick Heffner, Festa entertainment chairman, says “This is the biggest act we’ve ever had, and our goal each year is
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to expand and bring in new and more talent. We’re an ethnic festival, but we want to share our culture and heritage with as many people as possible, by appealing to a diverse crowd.” The main goal of the festival each year is to raise scholarship money to help pay tuition for students wanting to attend Catholic schools. Now in its 39th year, Festa Italiana is also known as a great event for gathering people together to enjoy some traditional favorites and something new. New attractions this year include a marketplace in the cultural tent featuring jewelry, crafts, cookies, dog treats, books by local authors and more, for sale. Also making its debut is a new book titled “Immigration History of Rockford Italian Families,” compiled by Frank Perrecone, co-chairman of the Greater Rockford Italian American Association (GRIAA), and
July 26
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Mike Doyle, editor of the association’s newsletter, Pappagallo. Volunteers cook and serve all the food. New this year is a pasta tent, fruit cups, salads made to order, and the return of the pork chop sandwich. Other traditional favorites include Italian Beef and Italian Sausage sandwiches, Cannolis, hot buttered sweet corn and Sfinci pastries. The GRIAA-sponsored festival will present continuous music on two stages, beer and wine, children’s crafts, souvenirs, a Bocce tournament, carnival rides, and the traditional outdoor Catholic Mass celebrated by Rockford Diocese Bishop David Malloy at 10 a.m. on Sunday. Heffner remembers, as a young child, going to the festival with his grandfather, Dominic DeCori. That experience led him to becoming a volunteer and then entertainment chairman in 2003.
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“I enjoyed the food, the people, the music, and being with my grandfather. We’d walk the field and enjoy the ambience. He knew a lot of people out there and I thought that was so cool,” he says. Although his grandfather passed away in 2000, Heffner returns every year to the “family reunion” on festival grounds. Festa is among the longest-running ethnic festivals in the Rockford area, with many generations of Italian families involved in the planning each year, he says. Womack’s opening act will be singer/songwriter Charlie Worsham, performing songs from his newly released album
“Beginning of Things.” He has performed alongside many country stars including Taylor Swift and Miranda Lambert. Friday’s music lineup includes the Harlan Jefferson Band from 5 to 6 p.m.; Jack Miuccio of Chicago from 6 to 6:50 p.m.; Soco7, a seven-piece Italian/pop band from 7:30 to 9 p.m; and AudioDrive, a RAMI award-winning ‘80s rock band, will perform from 9:40 to 11 p.m. Saturday’s entertainment includes AutoRewind, a five-piece family band from 2 to 3 p.m.; The J.E.T. Italian All Stars, performing Italian and American hits from 4:15 to 5:45 p.m.; and Dakota Horvath, from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. Horvath, a 29-year-old singer/songwriter, has often been compared to Frank Sinatra, Michael Buble, Bobby Darin, and Harry Connick, Jr. The Tenors 3 sing ethnic favorites, with a touch of humor, and will perform from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. BritBeat will perform classic 1960s Beatles songs from 9:30 to 11 p.m. On Sunday, Vince Amore will display his strong vocals and passionate
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delivery as he performs songs made famous by Frank Sinatra, Andrea Bocelli, Dean Martin, and more, from 2:20 to 3:30 p.m. He has performed with the Chicago Lyric Opera, Jimmy Kimmel’s Annual Fundraiser, Frankie Avalon, Luciano Pavarotti, and for the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. The RAMI award-winning R&B classic rock group The Missing Links will perform from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Sunday. They have shared the stage with well-known artists such as Little Richard, the Four Tops, the Marshall Tucker Band, Three Dog Night, and the Spinners. Festival hours are 6 to 10 p.m. Thurs. Aug. 3; 5 to 11 p.m. Fri., Aug. 4; noon to 11 p.m. Sat., Aug. 5; noon to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Aug. 6, with Mass at 10 a.m. Admission is $5 and children under 12 are free, when accompanied by an adult. Admission is free to all those active in the military and veterans. Ride carnival rides from noon to 5 p.m. and all day Sunday with the purchase of a wristband for $15 at the South Ticket Booth. ❚
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Experience Downtown Rockford
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Shop the Blocks Aug. 4 for Downtown Fun T
he River District Association (RDA) and its partners announce the third in a series of four “Shop the Blocks” on Friday, Aug. 4, 3-8 p.m. “We know that offering residents and visitors something more to do will provide them the opportunity to stay longer in the core of our great city,” says RDA Executive Director Leah Tuneberg. A few select parking spaces will be turned into temporary interactive openair “parklets.” The parklet idea took root in San Francisco in 2005 and has extended to more than 1000 parklets in 160 cities in 35 countries. Parklets encourage visitors to kick back, relax and to connect with friends. Visitors also can do unique activities like skateboarding or playing a game of life-sized chess. A sampling of participants: • 317 Studio and Gallery: Watch artists work and interact with them. Appetizers and beverages, 5-8 p.m., free. • 510 Threads/Eurostyle: Spring sidewalk sale & clearance; up to 50 percent
off. • Arch: Weekly specials. Every first Friday this summer, 3-6 p.m., all products 10 percent off plus $5 braids and bun hair styling. • Blue Line Sports Pub & Whiskey Bar: Alfresco dining • District Bar and Grill: Alfresco dining • Ground Floor Skateboards: Skate in the alley west of the shop and get free socks with purchase of footprint insoles • Lucette Salon and Spa: Boho Braid Tent and Aveda iced tea. Arrojo & Farmhouse Fresh products 20 percent off, 3-9 p.m., all braids $10. • Minglewood Boutique: Summer sidewalk sale. Live oil painting by Brian Harker; Card readings and pottery by Eve Harker; Soap carving by Lincoln Bias. • Octane Interlounge: Alfresco dining. • Owly Oop Sports Pub: Patio dining,
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live music by Milwaukee-based indieAmericana pop band Trapper Schoepp and The Shades, 7:30-9:30, free. • Rockford Art Deli: Parklet. • Rockford Roasting Company: Alfresco dining/coffee in new parklet. • Salvaged by Sonya: Girl Scouts crafting in parklet. • Woodfire Brick Oven Pizza: Alfresco dining. • Yolo’s Sweets: Parklet & puppet shows; $2 ice cream cones and face painting. ❚
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O L
Hit the Links at Beaver Creek By Randy Rueff
L
ike a child becoming an adult, Beaver Creek Golf Course, nestled in rural Boone County, is showing more and more signs of maturity. “Twenty-one years ago it was a cornfield,” says owner Brian Camp. “Now the little trees from the past are more than 50 feet tall. If you haven’t been out here in awhile, you’d be surprised at how much it has grown up.” The par-35, 9-hole course, located at 19619 Leroy Center Road in Capron, has been called a “hidden gem” by many who’ve played it. It has four sets of tees ranging from 2,300 to 3,033 yards. On seven of the nine holes, the winding Beaver Creek comes into play. And this year, the course joined the Chicago District Golf Association. The golf course opened in 1997 and was run by the Ed Randall family, until they sold it to the Kelly Camp family four years ago. The Camps have contin-
ued develoing the course, and it shows. “The conditions have improved with Mother Nature’s help,” Camp says. “We haven’t had any droughts, so our greens are always in good shape and our grass conditions are improving every year.” One of the course’s biggest draws is its layout. “It plays to all abilities,” Camp says. “Your avid golfer will still find challenges, but it’s also playable for the beginning golfer.” The other advantage at Beaver Creek is its availability. “You can come out on a weekday morning and it’s not packed,” Camp says. “If you’re looking for a nice quiet morning to watch the sunrise and play a round, this is the course.” And Beaver Creek offers more than golf. It’s a popular place for fundraisers, thanks to a banquet room in the clubhouse basement that can accommodate
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up to 60 people. “We also do a lot of baby showers, birthday parties, class reunions and other events that are not golf- related,” Camp says. “You can have the girls holding a shower while the guys play a round or two.” One of Beaver Creek’s popular staples is its Friday Night Fish Boil. For $24, a person can get a round of golf and an all-you-can-eat cod dinner. For more information, including tee times, costs and reservations, call (815) 569-2427 or go to beavercreekgolfil. com. ❚
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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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Want a second opinion? We give you one at every visit! The L.P. Johnson Family Health Center (FHC) trains resident physicians. Every time you see a resident physician, a seasoned family physician reviews your current condition. You benefit from the highest standards of family focused care. As the family medicine residency program for the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, FHC has trained more than 400 family medicine physicians, many of whom continue to provide care in our community. We accept most insurance and are open 8 am–8 pm Monday through Thursday and 8 am–5 pm on Fridays.
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Fri-Sat-Sun Harvardballoonfest.com Rides:
Balloon/Inflatables/ Extreme/Helicopter/Pony
Live Music: 16 Bands 2 Stages
Entertainment:
Shopping:
Magic Shows Balloon Night Glows Movies in the Park
Open Air Market Business Expo
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Photo Credit Carolyn Flaherty
July 26
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
Pec Playhouse Theater: 'Bye Bye Birdie' Through July 30, Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 2 p.m. It’s the late 1950s and teenagers from across the U.S. are going crazy for the handsome rock star Rockford, IL 61101 Conrad Birdie.1.800.521.0849 Meanwhile,gorockford.com his manager, Albert Peterson, is going into debt and has staked his financial future on Conrad’s success. Pec Playhouse Theater, 314 Main St., Pecatonica, Ill., (815) 239-1210, pecplayhouse.org. 9/10/07 2:07:37 PM
Starlight Theatre Presents 'Godspell' June 28-July 1, Wed.-Fri. 8 p.m., Sat., 2 & 8 p.m.; July 26-30, Wed.-Sun. 8 p.m. An eclectic blend of songs, ranging in style from pop to vaudeville, tells the story of Jesus’ life. Starlight Theatre, 3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford, (815) 9212160, rockvalleycollege.edu. Tunes on the Terrace: Steve McClanahan July 26, 5-7:30 p.m. Relax and listen to this local musician perform on the terrace along the bank of the Rock River. Beverages and food are available for purchase. Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, 1354 N. 2nd St., Rockford, (815) 9878858, nicholasconservatory.com. Girl Power Fun Run July 27, 6 p.m. Gather for a 3- to 4-mile run with sangria and food to enjoy after. Ladies only. Fleet Feet Rockford, 1653 N. Alpine Road, Rockford, (815) 978-4643, fleetfeetrockford.com. Band Geeks! July 28-30, Fri. 7 p.m., Sat. 2-6 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. With just a handful of members and dwindling funds, the Cuyahoga High Marching Beavers are close to extinction. When a troubled athlete is relegated to their ranks, Elliott, the tuba-playing band captain, and Laura, his best friend, must find a way to embrace their inner geek and save the Marching Beavers. Rockford University Maddox Theatre, 5050 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 332-2205, thestudiorockford.com. Tanabata Japanese Star Festival July 28, 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Enjoy Japanese star stories and explore the night sky in the planetarium, then walk through the Shinto shrine and explore more in a temporary exhibition - Hello From Japan. Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 963-6769, discoverycentermuseum.org. Music on the Mall: Groove Hotel July 28, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Enjoy local musi-
Festa Italiana returns Aug. 3-6 with carnival rides, bocce ball, Italian food and dancing.
cians performing their latest tunes. Seating is limited, so bringing your own chair is encouraged. Edgebrook Shops, Rockford, (815) 2260212, edgebrookshops.com/events. Concerts on the Creek: Patte Lund July 29, 7-9 p.m. Pizza from Mamma Mia’s, canned soda, bottled water and popcorn available. Spring Creek United Church of Christ, 4500 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, (815) 8772576, springcreekucc.org. 'East Friesen Then & Now' July 30, 1 p.m-4 p.m. Marlene Vorthman, who has visited Germany five times searching for family members, speaks on her experiences and findings. The German Valley Historical Museum, 805 Church St., German Valley, (815) 362-3671, gvmuseum.org. Music in the Park: Dvorak, Rossini, Vivaldi Aug. 1, 7 p.m. Rock Valley Summer Festival series, Sinnissippi Park Music Shell, 1401 N. 2nd St., Rockford, rockfordparkdistrict.org. AJG Tuesday Evenings in the Gardens: Michael McDermott Aug. 1, Doors open 5 p.m., performance 5:45 p.m. Folk rock. Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, (815) 2299390, andersongardens.org. Festa Italiana Aug. 3-6, Th. 6-10 p.m., Fri. 5-11 p.m., Sat. noon-11 p.m., Sun. noon-7 p.m. Sunday Mass at 10 a.m. This family event features carnival rides, bocce ball, Italian food and dancing. Location: Boylan High School, 4000 St. Francis Drive, Rockford, (815) 289-7704. ❚
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July 26
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WDL
Real Italian Gelato Right Here in Rockford
By Peggy Werner
I
f you feel like you’ve just walked into an Italian café when you enter Cucina di Rosa, 1620 Bell School Road, it’s because you have. The first things you’ll see are pans heaped full of creamy swirled gelato, in a variety of flavors and colors. Owner Rose Mary Provenzano was born and raised in Sicily and learned the art of making gelato in Italy. She still buys her ingredients for the delectable dessert in Italy. “Italy is where it all started,” she says. “You can’t walk two feet without seeing gelato being sold. “A lot of people who have been to Italy walk into my restaurant and are drawn right to it because they know how good it is. “I learned about the basic calculations and formulations for making gelato. It’s a lot like chemistry, having to know what to do and when. Once you know the
basic process, you can make any flavor, but it’s very time consuming,” she says. Up early every morning, she heads to the restaurant to whip up one batch at a time, before the ovens heat up for breakfast and lunch entrees. Among the most popular gelato flavors are hazelnut, pistachio and salted caramel. Some of the more unusual favorites are basil and strawberry balsamic. Gelato is milk-based but has less air and fat than ice cream, Provenzano says. Gelato is about 4 percent fat, and because it’s denser, it’s more flavorful, creamier and better tasting than ice cream, she adds. In addition to the gelato, other desserts served at the Italian café include homemade sorbet, Italian cookies, eclairs, cream puffs, cannolis, cannoli cake, biscotti, and fresh croissants served with fruit preserves, custard, or Nutella. ❚
In the Spotlight
Top Picks for Local Restaurants
Giordano’s E Casual/Italian. Stuffed pizza, salads, entrees, 9 East Coffee E Casual/Coffeehouse. Specialty coffees, pas- sandwiches, desserts. 33 Executive Parkway, Rockford, (815) tries, breakfast, lunch. 9 E. Stephenson St., Freeport, (815) 398-5700. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11 pm. 233-7300. BkL M-F 7am-3pm, Sat to 2pm. $ GreenFire E Upscale-Casual/American contemporary. SeaArturo’s Mexican Restaurant E Casual/Authentic Mexican. 107 sonal cuisine; local-sourced ingredients; gourmet market; W. Main St., Poplar Grove, Ill., (815) 765-1144. LD M 11am-8pm, live entertainment. 6795 E. Riverside Blvd., Rockford, (815) T-Th to 9pm, F to 10pm, Sun noon-8pm. $. 316-3473. BkLD M-F 11am, Sat-Sun 8am. Bar open late. $$$. Big Papa’s Barbecue E BBQ Specialties. 5811 Forest Hills Road, Hearthrock Cafe E Restaurant/cafe. Baked goods, coffee, Rockford, Ill., (815) 904-6612. LD M-Th 11 am-9 pm, F-Sat 11 am- breakfast, lunch. Inside Benson Stone Co., 1100 11th St., 10 p.m, Sun 11 am-7 pm. $. Rockford, (815) 227-2000. BkL M-F 7:30am-3pm; Sat. 8am-
Bravo Pizza E Italian/American. 376 Prairie Hill Road, South Be- 3pm. $-$$. loit, Ill., (815) 624-7900. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11pm. $. Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint E Fine Dining. Ironworks Cannova’s Italian Cuisine E Casual. 1101 W. Empire St., Free- Hotel, 500 Pleasant St., Beloit, (608) 313-0700. D Sun-Th port, (815) 233-0032. D T-Th, Sun 5-9pm; F-Sat 10pm. $-$$. 4:30-9pm, Fri-Sat to 10pm. $$.
Costa’s Ristorante E Upscale-Casual/Italian. 133 Blackhawk Prairie Street Brewhouse E Upscale-Casual/American. 200 Prairie St., Rockford, (815) 277-9427. LD Sun-W 11am-10pm, Dr., Byron, Ill., (815) 234-4707. LD Daily 4pm. $-$$. Th to midnight, F-Sat to 2am. $-$$. Cucina di Rosa E Italian Bistro/Bakery 1620 Bell School Road, Rockford, (815) 395-5040. BkLD. Homemade gelato, baked Taco Betty’s E Casual/Mexican-American. 212 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 977-5650. LD Daily 11am-1am $$. goods, pasta, frittatas, more. M-Sat 7am-9pm $$ Dos Reales Mexican Restaurant E Casual/Mexican. Authen- Thrive Café E Casual/Cafe. Salads, wraps, sandwiches, tic dishes, lunch menu. 5855 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 227- smoothies, cold-pressed juices. Inside Peak Fitness, 4401 Peak Drive, Loves Park, Ill. BkLD M-F 6am-8pm, Sat 8am-2pm. 4979. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 10:30pm. $-$$. Fresco at the Gardens. E Casual/American Café. Fresh, lo- Vito’s Ristorante E Casual/Fine Dining. Carry-out, steak & cal-sourced ingredients. 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, seafood, Italian specialties, pizza. 4866 Bluestem Road, Roscoe, Ill., (815) 312-5080. D M-Sat 4pm. $-$$. ❚ (815) 316-2256. BkL Daily 7am-3pm. $$ 26
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July 26
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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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Save Money: Choose Tech, Security Wisely By Peggy Werner
G
etting the best deal on tech services, including security services, isn’t always easy. “Most people pay too much,” says Charles Zambrano, owner of EZ Satellite & Wireless, 6239 N. 2nd St., Suite B, in Loves Park. “People are paying too much for phone, internet and television services by using just one company, and they often pay too much for home security protection, too,” he says. “You don’t have to choose just one company to save money.” Sometimes people are tricked by promotional offers that may jump up dramatically in price after a special offer ends, he says. “You should know exactly what you’re getting so that it doesn’t cost you a lot of money down the road.”
With all the crime happening in our area, Zambrano finds himself helping both residential and business customers to set up cost-effective but reliable security systems. He offers the highly rated Protect America home security service for as little as $19.95 per month. The family-owned business opened in 2011. It’s a full-service retailer for satellite TV and Internet, and can also help people to acquire cable services. After working for many years as a satellite dish installer for one of the local providers, Zambrano decided to go out on his own to be more in control of his life and to help others do the same. “I love to see people’s faces when they find out how much money they can save.” EZ Satellite & Wireless is an authorized Dish network retailer and also
offers services from any other provider, using dish, cable, Internet or home security, such as Comcast, Frontier, HughesNet, DishNet, DirectTV, Digitenna and Vivint. Zambrano can help those who drop their TV cable service to set up Sling TV for $20 a month. Sling offers 30 channels of live TV including CNN and ESPN. Sometimes a customer simply wants a TV antenna set up in order to receive local TV station programming including Chicago Cubs baseball games through WGN. Zambrano is happy to help them. And, through DISH, he also offers the Amazon Echo Dot, a hands-free, voicecontrolled device that uses the same farfield voice recognition as Amazon Echo. For more information, contact EZ Satellite & Wireless at (815) 957-4335 or stop by the office ❚
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