Smart L iving Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • Rockford Region/Beloit/Freeport 95¢ • January 15, 2020
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Right in Our Region
Why Retirees are Choosing Rockford
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How to Get Organized in 2020! What’s Your Flooring Strategy? Tips for Choosing a Snow Blower Navigating a High-Risk Pregnancy
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$25 Gift Card to Arch
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Helen & Ernie Redfern
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In This Issue
Right in Our Region ........................Cover & p. 16 Why Retirees Are Choosing Rockford Your Home ................................................... ..... 11 Flooring Strategy; Getting Organized for 2020 Inspiration & Worship ......................................12 Do We Pray? Your Kitchen ......................................................15 A Savory Breakfast Dish Outdoor Living ....................................................2 Snow Blower Savvy Your Health ............................................. .......... 23 Navigating a High-Risk Pregnancy Your Fun ................................................... ......... 25
Restaurant of the Week ................................... 26 Salamone’s North Dining Locally .......................................... ........ 26
Your Technology ........................................ ....... 29 Smart Home Technology
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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 Multimedia Editor Sara Myers 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 2020 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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Black Hawk Restored
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he new year brings happy news that Lorado Taft’s “Eternal Indian” (aka Black Hawk) is emerging from his plastic cocoon at last. Perched above the Rock River near Oregon since 1911, the freshly repaired statue means so much to so many, including me. Long ago, when I was a young thing with more moxy than wisdom, I was riding home from a church leadership program in Dixon with an older man who was my mentor. As he drove, I gave him an earful about the many problems I saw in our particular organization. About the time we passed Black Hawk on Route 2, he’d finally heard enough. A lesser leader would have “put me in my place” or denied the problems or changed the subject. Instead, he looked at me and asked, “What are YOU doing to make things better?” His question shut me up fast. But it also acknowledged my intelligence and challenged me to turn my energy toward finding solutions. “Anyone can point to what’s wrong and tear things down,” he said. “Anyone can rally people around anger or fear. It’s easy to focus people on hating this or that. Real leadership is about lifting people up, setting a vision, replacing bad ideas with better ones and not worrying about who gets the credit. It’s motivating with love. That’s much more difficult.” He was right, of course. How many selfserving politicians have I watched rise to power on waves of anger, empty of solutions? How many workplaces are filled with more grumblers than problem-solvers? And how many leaders of boards, councils and congregations work harder at building coalitions than building consensus? Good leaders exist, too. Some politicians risk their positions to do what’s right. Some citizens resist complaining and focus on improving our community. And some reach out to the most vulnerable among us, fueled only by love. Those are people I can follow. For me, Black Hawk has always been a silent witness to that long-ago conversation about solution thinking. Now he’s an actual result of solution thinking. It wasn’t easy, but good leaders found a way to fund his restoration. I’m grateful. He reminds me to ask myself: “What am I doing to make things better?” ❚ Janine Pumilia SLW Editor
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Y H G
Be Strategic When Choosing Flooring By Jermaine Pigee, assistant managing editor
W
hether you’re building a home or remodeling, it’s important to consider all the elements of your home when you’re installing flooring. “If you’re freshening up your home, new floors can make it look completely different because the flooring ties everything together,” says Erin Knabe, kitchen and bathroom design consultant at Benson Stone Co., 1100 11th St., Rockford. “A home project is like putting together a puzzle and flooring is a big piece to that puzzle.” While creating a plan for your next project, it’s important to think about textures and details in flooring. “You want to coordinate your wall tile with your floor tile so everything works together,” she says. “People will come in and say they want a whole project in addition to the flooring, so we’ll do decorative things, like a wood and tile mix.”
Knabe sees people make the mistake of doing their flooring projects one room at a time, which may result in a checkerboard of patterns throughout the house. “You really don’t want to do more than two, sometimes three types of flooring in the house,” she says. “If you keep everything consistent, you’ll elevate thresholds and breakup, so it makes the square footage of the home feel larger and everything will flow better.” Knabe and her team offer plenty of support and guidance. “When people walk into a big-box store and pick up flooring, they might get the cheapest thing and they might not get any say on what goes where,” she says. “We try talking to customers instead of giving someone a sample and saying ‘Here you go, have fun with this.’” One way customers can help with the process, Knabe says, is to be upfront with
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the staff in the beginning. The more they know about the type of project you have in mind, the more helpful they can be. Flooring is an important aspect of a house, Knabe says, so it’s important that the entire project is done right the first time. “We’ll send someone out to your home to complete measurements, install a proper sub-floor, or maybe even tear up the old floor,” she says. “No matter what we end up doing, we just want to make sure everything is done correctly.” ❚
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Do We Pray?
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ven those of us who love scripture and believe in the power of prayer sometimes fail to make time for a consistent prayer life, even though prayer is the engine of our spiritual life and the lynchpin of our relationship with God. When we fail to take time for prayer, it’s often because we’re in an “I can do it by myself!” mode, not unlike a stubborn toddler. But life isn’t meant to be lived without parental guidance; spiritual maturity demands it and the more we pray, the more we grow up in Christ. The gospels brim with examples of Jesus’ prayer habits, sometimes with others, sometimes alone. “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed,” we read in Luke 5:16. Note the word “often.” He made his relationship with God top priority and taught his followers to do likewise. In Luke 11 Jesus’ disciples ask him how to pray. His response is something we should study as an example, not as a rote prayer to be repeated mindlessly. In 11:11 & 12, Jesus reminds us that God wants to answer our prayers and to give us good things, but we must ask. Prayer isn’t only about “me, me, me,” however. It’s also a time of praying for other people, and for praising God and expressing our deep and sincere gratitude. This poem, most often attributed to Grace L. Naessens, sums things up well: I got up early one morning and rushed right into the day; I had so much to accomplish that I didn’t have time to pray. Problems just tumbled about me, and heavier came each task, “Why doesn’t God help me?” I wondered. He answered, “You didn’t ask.” I wanted to see joy and beauty, but the day toiled on gray and bleak; I wondered why God didn’t show me; He said, “But you didn’t seek.” I tried to come into God’s presence; I used all my keys at the lock; God gently and lovingly chided, “My child you didn’t knock.” I woke up early this morning, and paused before entering the day; I had so much to accomplish that I had to take time to pray. ❚ – Janine Pumilia
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A Savory, Crowd-Pleasing Breakfast W
hen you need a breakfast to feed a large group, this casserole is a perfect option. Find more breakfast recipes at Culinary.net.
Biscuit-Sausage Mushroom Casserole 1 1 8 1/2 4 1 12 1 1/2 1
package (16 oz.) pork sausage 12 oz. bacon, chopped TB butter, divided cup flour cups milk 8 oz. mushrooms, sliced eggs can (5 oz.) evaporated milk tsp. salt nonstick cooking spray can (12 oz.) flaky biscuits
In pan over medium-high heat, cook pork sausage thoroughly, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and drain sausage. Set aside. Chop bacon into small pieces. In
separate pan over medium-high heat, cook bacon until thoroughly cooked. Remove from heat and drain bacon. Set aside. In saucepan over medium heat, melt 6 tablespoons butter. Add flour; whisk until smooth. Cook on low heat 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually stir in milk. Cook until bubbly and thickened. Add sausage, bacon and mushrooms; mix well. Set aside. In large bowl, combine eggs, evaporated milk and salt. Using whisk, beat until blended. In saucepan over medium heat, melt remaining butter. Add egg mixture; cook until firm but moist, stirring occasionally. Heat oven to 350 F. Spray 13-by-9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Spoon half the egg mixture into bottom of baking dish. Top with half the gravy mixture. Repeat layers. Separate biscuit dough and cut into quarters. Top sauce with biscuit quarters,
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points facing up. Bake 20-25 minutes, or until mixture is heated and biscuits are golden brown. ❚ (Source: Family Features)
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Why Retirees are Choosing Rockford By Chris Linden, executive editor
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t was fate that brought Helen and Ernie Redfern to Rockford, but it was Rockford’s amenities that caused them to stay. Ready to flee Chicago suburbia for a quieter retirement, the couple had a simple set of criteria: a community that was in walking distance of major amenities, had ample health care facilities, had proximity to grandkids, and offered many activities when family and friends visited. The couple’s search led them to communities up and down the Mississippi River, from places like Fort Madison and Keokuk in Iowa, to Quincy and Monmouth in Illinois. No matter where they searched, they just couldn’t find “the one.” Maybe it was the lack of cultural diversity. Maybe it was the lack of visitor attractions or the long response times when you call 911 – things you think about in retirement. In one case, it was
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the realtor saying her ho-hum community was three years away from a turnaround. “It got to a point where we were lowering our expectations,” says Helen. “We would go back to our spreadsheet and say, ‘This had three going-out-of-business signs, and this one only had two. Maybe we should look there.” Helen and Ernie felt defeated as they headed back from visiting their 20th community in the summer of 2018. Traveling the long, empty road home, Helen was scrolling through a real estate app on her phone when the car hit a bump and her finger slipped. Suddenly, the search area expanded. Rockford? That hadn’t even been on their radar. But sure, why not? They took a detour and never looked back. It’s a story that’s becoming more frequent as Rockford becomes a top community.
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“We came down East State Street and saw the planters and saw people walking about,” says Helen. “I was joking that we landed on the set of a Hallmark movie.” Ernie had never been to Rockford, and after living in Chicago for nearly 35 years, had no real expectation for the city. Right away, he was struck by the activity downtown, the liveliness at the Prairie Street Brewhouse, and the variety of activities in between. “The thing I liked best was, as we started looking at our criteria, we wanted someplace we could walk to fairly safely, we wanted good health care – and, my gosh, Rockford was just unbelievable,” he says. Helen realized the town looked very different than it did upon her last visit in early 2010. “Something’s happening here,” she kept telling her husband.
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“If something had changed this much in a decade, there must be some new life and positivity here,” says Helen. Driving down newly paved Spring Creek Road, they noticed a sign. “It said this was a project that was doable because of the 1 percent sales tax increase that the population had voted on,” says Ernie. “I looked at that and was amazed they were willing to reinvest in their community, because we had come from places where it may take decades to climb up to where Rockford is.”
After that day, they pretty much threw out the spreadsheet. They were all in for Rockford. The couple closed on a house in the Churchill’s Grove neighborhood in August 2018, renovated it and moved in by Halloween. The Redferns’ first year here has been a whirlwind of activity. They joined their neighbors in a landscaping project to revitalize Veterans Memorial Circle at North Main and Auburn streets. At Christmas, their visiting family members ran out of time to enjoy everything they wanted to see. For several weeks last summer, they entertained their 7-year-old grandson, who kept finding new activities to enjoy. They’ve hosted many friends, too. “Who would think that people from Scotland would discover their first Japanese garden here in Rockford?” says Ernie. “I always tell Helen, ‘If we can’t find things to do in Rockford, we’re not
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looking very hard.’” Ernie and Helen are surprised by locals who give the city a bad rap. “If you have a negative perception, we would like to change it,” says Helen. “Look at all of the good things that are happening here. Look at how well-rounded we are – access to medical care, decent local restaurants, entertainment, culture, kids’ activities – it’s a pretty special place.” The Redferns admire the strong cando attitude of their neighbors and the accessibility of local officials. They value the region’s strong independent businesses. They love how easy it is to get around, whether you walk or drive. And they love spending time downtown. It’s everything they hoped they could find in retirement. “We were laughing when the [SeniorAdvice.com] story came out about Rockford being a Top 20 place to retire,” says Helen. “I kept saying, ‘Ernie, we’re ahead of our game.’” ❚
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Decrease Your Stress by Getting Organized 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 also options for granite surfaces, glass shelves, motion-activated LED lighting – even LED lights inside the drawers if you like – built-in mirrors, jewelry trays, removable laundry bags, a fold out ironing board, adjustable cubbies made for shoes, boots and handbags and much more.
“Many people are using fewer or no dressers in their bedrooms and are choosing instead to maximize their closet space,” Weller explains. While some people go so far as to convert spare bedrooms into luxurious walk-in closets, others double or triple the efficiency of their reach-in closets by having them professionally designed. Either way, it’s the design expertise offered by Shelving Unlimited that makes it possible to meet organization goals. “It’s all about good design,” says Weller. “You can have the largest Taj Mahal-type closet in the world, but if it’s not functioning well it can become one more mess to deal with. Good organization saves you time and prevents frustration.” Weller also designs storage solutions for the pantry, garage, laundry room, home office and basement.
“Good organizational design plays a big role in making a home more functional and enjoyable,” he says. Along with adjustable-shelf laminate storage, Shelving Unlimited offers wireshelving systems by Rubbermaid, the No. 1 brand in the industry. ❚
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What to Know When Buying a Snow Blower
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hen buying a snow blower, it’s important to get the correct model and size for your needs. Tim Kinney of Lincoln Rent-All & Lawn Equipment Sales, 3110 Auburn St., Rockford, offers a few tips for buyers. First, determine what size snow blower you need. They come in two basic types, single-stage and two-stage. Single-stage: This model is ideal if you have a flat, midsized paved driveway and walks; it easily handles snowfall up to 8 inches. It’s fairly light, easier to handle than a two-stage, and takes up about as much space as a lawn mower. Single-stage models usually clear an 18- to 22-inch swath, with rubber paddles that contact the surface to sweep the snow up and out of a chute in one quick movement. The rubber parts are forgiving on blacktop and concrete driveways, Kinney says, but since its auger contacts the ground, don’t use it on gravel driveways. Two-stage: This type is best if you
have a long, wide, or hilly driveway. It can take on a lot more snow than a singlestage and clear a swath 24- to 32-inches wide. A metal auger funnels the snow backward inside the machine, where a spinning impeller throws it out of a chute at high velocity, typically 10 to 15 feet farther than single-stage machines. “If you’re in an area with a lot of drifting, a two-stage is better,” Kinney says. Metal skids can be height-adjusted, depending on the surface. Since the auger doesn’t contact the ground, a two-stage model is needed for a gravel driveway. Next, decide what features you need. Both types come in electric and gas models, and controls can vary. “Can you handle just a pull start, or do you need an electric start?” Kinney asks. “The electric start doesn’t have a battery, so you do have
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to plug it in, but once it starts, you unplug it and you’re good to go.” Engine type is another consideration. Lincoln Rent-All sells only Toro snow blowers, which have four-cycle engines. That means you don’t have to mix the gas and oil, as you would with a two-cycle. If you just need a machine to clean off sidewalks, a deck, or even a very short city driveway, consider a smaller, all-electric model. They’re less powerful but convenient and require little maintenance. ❚
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Navigating Your High-Risk Pregnancy By Lindsey Lukas, managing editor
Dr.
Dennie Rogers, maternal fetal medicine specialist at Mercyhealth, loves it when women seek a pre-conception consultation. “That way we can optimize the pregnancy and decrease the risk factors,” she says. It’s best for hopeful mothers to begin management of chronic conditions, such as severe anemia, diabetes, hypertension and kidney disease, before getting pregnant. Rogers helps patients navigate these and other chronic conditions before and during pregnancy. Sometimes, perfectly healthy mothers can experience high-risk pregnancies.
“It can be things ranging from multiple births to the baby developing some type of abnormality, like a cleft lip or palate,” Rogers explains. “Maybe the baby is developing with an abnormal genetic blueprint.” Mothers with high-risk pregnancies can expect adjustments in medication, more ultrasounds, more specialists involved in prenatal care, more in-depth instructions for delivery, and, depending on the severity of the situation, lifestyle modifications. It can be scary to hear the words “high-risk” but there’s no reason to fear the worst, says
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Rogers. With proper care, the great majority of high-risk pregnancies end in happy outcomes. “I try to work with families to have reasonable expectations, but at the same time I never take away hope,” she says. “No matter how much we know in the medical profession, we don’t know everything. There’s always hope.” ❚
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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 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
Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
Winter Fun Attractions & Events
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.
Frosty Fridays Through April 24, Fri. 8-10 p.m. Enjoy indoor ice skating with family and friends; discounted Rockford, IL 61101 1.800.521.0849 gorockford.com packages available. Carlson Ice Arena, 4150 N. Perryville Road, Loves Park, Ill., (815) 9694069, rockfordparkdistrict.org. 9/10/07 2:07:37 PM
Cross-country Ski Fridays Fridays through March 1 when there's snow. Also Feb. 22, 8 p.m. Skis, boots, poles and a guide provided. Ages 10 and up. Reg. online. Byron Forest Preserve, 7993 N. River Road, (815) 234-8535, byronforestpreserve.com.
and Ryan Pelton. Coronado Performing Arts Center (Coronado PAC), 314 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 968-0595, coronadopac.org.
Artsy Experiences Jan. 15, 4:30 p.m. Mixed media and art project session. Dress for a mess; all skill levels welcome; all materials provided. Rockford Public Library, Rock River Branch, Rockford, (815) 966-2763, rockfordpubliclibrary.org.
RSO: Frankenstein & Mozart Jan. 18, 7:30 p.m. Featuring Robbins Coleman’s “For a Beautiful Land,” H. K. Gruber’s “Frankenstein!!” and Mozart’s “Symphony No. 39 in E flat, K. 453.” RSO, Coronado PAC, (815) 965-0049, rockfordsymphony.com.
Brews and Views: 'Coming to America' Jan. 15, 7:30 p.m. The Element Film Series presents retro-classic film programming tailored to film fans who grew up in the 1970s to '90s. Prairie Street Brewing Company, 200 Prairie St., Rockford, theelementrockford.com.
Tastes & Tunes: Willy Porter Jan. 18, 8 p.m. Celebrate Wisconsin’s singer/ songwriter community with acoustic music and storytelling; sample craft beers from 7:308 p.m. JPAC, (608) 758-0297, janesvillepac.org.
Dueling Pianos: Piano Fondue Jan. 17, 7:30 p.m. Two baby grand pianos, two professional entertainers and audiencesupplied requests. JPAC, Janesville, (608) 7580297, janesvillepac.org. The Elvis Tribute Jan. 17, 8 p.m. Celebrating the King's musicSpecial guest is The Blackwood Quartet, Coronado PAC, Rockford, (815) 968-0595, coronadopac.org. Beach Party Jan. 17, 7 p.m. Northleaf Winery, 232. S. Janesville St., Milton, Wis., (608) 580-0575, janesvillecvb.com Dueling Pianos: Piano Fondue Jan. 17 & Mar. 14, 7:30 p.m. Two baby grand pianos, two professional entertainers and audience-supplied requests make for an entertaining evening. JPAC, Janesville, (608) 758-0297, janesvillepac.org. The Elvis Tribute Jan. 17, 8 p.m. Celebrating the King’s music and featuring Shawn Klush, Cody Ray Slaughter
Learn about owls on Jan. 18 in Sycamore.
Owl Day Jan. 18, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Learn about owls and how humans can help them to survive. 11:30 a.m., 1 & 2:30 p.m. Midwest Museum of Natural History, Sycamore, Ill., (815) 895-9777, mmnh.org. Winter Beach Party Jan. 18, 2-3 p.m. Cast off the winter chill as you read summertime books, build a sandcastle, throw beachballs and make a summer craft. Hart Interim Library, 214 N. Church St., (815) 965-7606, rockfordpubliclibrary.org. ‘The Color Purple’ Jan. 19, 7:30 p.m. A joyous classic about a young woman’s journey to love and triumph in the American South. Coronado PAC, Rockford, (815) 965-0595, coronadopac.org. History: Roscoe Founders Jan. 20, 6:30 p.m. The First Congregational Community Church of Roscoe can trace its origins back to the early days of Roscoe Township and its founders. Roscoe Township Historical Society will feature that connection at a presentation at the church, 10780 3rd St., Roscoe, Ill. ❚
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Salamone’s North: Italian Cuisine with a Twist
By Mika Doyle
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ockford residents don’t have to drive to Cherry Valley to get their Salamone’s fix. The family-run establishment has a second location called Salamone’s North tucked inside the shopping plaza on the corner of Mulford and Spring Creek roads in Rockford. The location is owned and operated by Phil Salamone (twin brother to Benny, the owner of Salamone’s Downtown Cherry Valley) and Phil’s wife, Brieanna. Phil helped to manage the Cherry Valley location for 11 years and decided it was time to branch out and run his own restaurant. He’d been looking for a good location for about a year when this spot became available. Many residents will remember it as the former Angelo’s Restaurant and, later, Joey C’s. “I wanted to create a family experience where people could come and have great food with a great atmosphere and
just have a nice night out,” says Phil. The menu is mostly the same as Salamone’s Downtown Cherry Valley but there are some items you won’t find on the Cherry Valley menu, including a prime rib special on Saturdays and Sicilian baked chicken. The North location also uses a sweeter sauce in the chicken marsala and a sesame seed bread for the bruschetta. The most popular pizza on the Salamone’s North menu has been the Mediterranean pizza, which features pesto, mushroom, spinach, onion and black olives. “We want everyone to feel the love we put into the restaurant,” says Brieanna. “Our whole family runs it. We
always come out and interact with our guests. We meet such great people.” Salamone’s North opens at 11 a.m. seven days a week. The kitchen is open until 10 p.m., but the bar is open later. It’s best to make reservations on weekends if you want to make sure to get a table. If you don’t want to dine in, Salamone’s North also delivers. ❚ ❚
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. $$. ❚
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To advertise call 815-316-2300
In the Spotlight
Hearthrock Cafe
B
enson Stone Company’s Hearthrock Café has introduced new items to its already-popular menu. Head Chef Todd Cooper is following the popular farm-totable trend, working with seasonal and fresh ingredients as much as possible. One of his most popular new creations is the Smoked Andouille Sausage Flatbread, with a homemade Marinara sauce, fresh mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, red pepper and mushrooms. There’s also a new Benson Reuben sandwich, made with homemade sauce and pickled red cabbage. Fresh salads include apple walnut, mandarin orange, garden, spinach or Caesar, iwith optional chicken or bacon. Hearthrock Café hours are Mon.Fri. 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. and Sat. 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Breakfast is served until 11 a.m. Benson Stone Company is located at 1100 11th St. in Rockford. Learn more at BensonStone. com/hearthrock. ❚
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Jan. 15
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Find your place to get outside in Winnebago County! Ideas for getting active and having fun outside
815outside.com
815 Outside is an alliance of non-profit and public service organizations working together to promote opportunities to discover green spaces and experience nature for enhanced quality of life in Winnebago County, IL.
#815outside
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To advertise call 815-316-2300
Y T
A ‘Smart’ Gift that Makes Life Easier By Peggy Werner
T
he holiday season is over, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t treat yourself to some technology upgrades that can save you time, money and energy, says Charles Zambrano, owner of EZ Satellite and Technologies. Zambrano has expanded his business and is now working with Nest to bring the conveniences of home automation into his customers’ lives. “Everyone has a smartphone, but not everyone is using it to the fullest capacity,” he says. The number of “smart” devices is growing, and so are options for connecting those devices to local area networks. Products like the Google Nest Hub, Google Assistant and Amazon’s Alexa are just a few of the most popular options for people who want to monitor and access their homes and businesses remotely or with voice commands. Many of these devices connect to
cameras showing you what’s going on inside and outside your home, and you can talk to people at your door when you’re away. You can also switch lights on and off, change or lock in thermostat settings and lock or unlock doors remotely. Nest offers all services on one application, which is a one-time purchase for installation, with no additional charge for monitoring. “We’re just keeping pace with what’s available to customers and helping people to manage their lives better by getting them to use technology that’s available to them,” says Zambrano. EZ Satellite & Wireless is an authorized Dish Network retailer licensed to offer services from any provider using dish, cable, internet and home security, such as Rise Broadband, Comcast, HughesNet, DirectTV, Digitenna, Protect America, ATT and Nest Products. Smart devices often plug into these
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This story comes to life! To view this video, simply: 1) Download the Wikitude app 2) Open the app and search “SLM” 3) Scan this entire page using the app’s AR Lens
systems for additional functionality. EZ Satellite & Wireless maintains storefronts in Loves Park and Elgin, but its team also offers in-home consultations and full installation services. Contact EZ Satellite & Technologies at (815) 957-4335. ❚
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Smart Living Weekly
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To advertise call 815-316-2300
WELCOME HOME! BECAUSE IT IS HOME OPENING FEBRUARY 2020 - NOW LEASING! The TLC Living Community is an assisted living community designed to provide a vibrant, yet secure and comfortable way for its residents to age in place. From an independent life experience to assistance with healthcare needs, you’ll get it all without leaving the comfort of your apartment. Conveniently located in Machesney Park, TLC Living Community offers an abundance of included amenities…too many to list here! Call for a personal tour to see for yourself why everyone is celebrating!
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8702 N. 2ND ST., UNIT B MACHESNEY PARK, IL 61115 / (815) 242-2852 / WWW.TLC-MP.COM / FOLLOW US
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