Smart Living Rockford - February 2, 2023

Senior Editor Lindsey Lukas

Managing Editor Jim Taylor

Assistant Editor Steven Bonifazi

Graphics Director Samantha Behling

Graphic Designer Ashley Smith

Contributing Writers Jermaine Pigee, Janine Pumilia, Peggy Werner

General Sales Manager Brent Hughes

Sales Manager Brad Hughes

Hughes, Jeremy Jones, Nita Lasky

Blessing in Disguise

I’veheard before — “bad things happen so good things can come out of it.”

Honestly, I usually roll my eyes at this slogan. It makes me think of a reality dating show where people break up and adopt this phrase as their mantra. But I have to admit, a small situation had me thinking of this “cheesy” phrase.

Last week, our dishwasher broke. No matter how many times you pressed the “start” button, this thing was not going to run, and my husband claimed to smell a burning scent.

“That’s just great,” I thought. Then came the obvious questions — Can the dishwasher be fixed? Will we have to get a new one? And the kicker — How much is this going to cost?

We had an appliance electrician come to our house the next day, and it turns out, the broken dishwasher was a blessing in disguise. It wasn’t working because a wire had fried, and the electrician was able to fix it impressively fast. But he also discovered a much bigger problem. It turns out, there was a steady drip of water leaking underneath our dishwasher. And when I saw the damage, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.

The wood flooring we couldn’t normally see was discolored and already becoming uneven. It wasn’t rotten, but it was definitely headed in that direction. Who knows how long that leak had been there?

The electrician said we were lucky to catch the problem now, since it wouldn’t be long before we’d see the effects on our basement ceiling. He also said the previous owners of our house probably new about this problem, since someone had attempted a hacky DIY repair.

If the dishwasher hadn’t broken down, we probably wouldn’t have discovered that leak until it became a much larger (and costly) problem. Despite myself, I said the Pinterestworthy quote out loud. “Bad things happen so good things can come out of it.”

I mean, it wasn’t a break up or a health scare, but the situation still had me feeling grateful. Cheers to your problems becoming blessings. ❚

Lindsey Lukas Senior Editor

Modify Your Home to Prevent Falls

By Peggy Werner

At 65, Michael Sullivan wanted to use his life to make a difference in other people’s lives.

With his business, sales and construction work experience, he decided a year ago to open Sullivan’s Home Improvement Solutions, with the goal of helping people live independently in their homes longer. He prides himself in being the first general contracting business in Rockford to obtain a Certified Age in Place Specialist (CAPS) certification through the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB), a specialty that focuses on “fall prevention home modifications” to make spaces more accessible. Such changes are also helpful for those with a mental or physical disability, progressive disease, or common aging limitations.

“Every job we do is satisfying because we know we help people avoid a fall

as much as possible,” Sullivan says. “It’s not a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’ someone is going to have trouble living at home.”

“As we age, our ability to get around becomes more difficult, and the family discussions of moving into a facility becomes more frequent,” he continues. “Moving can be difficult emotionally for the senior and the family members. By making a few changes at home, a person can reduce the chances of falling and stay at home longer.”

It has been estimated that 80 percent of falls happen in the bathroom and 10 percent occur on stairways, Sullivan adds. His services provide full bathroom upgrades, tub to shower and tub to walkin tub conversions, improved lighting, flooring, countertops and vanities, grab bars, first floor laundry, chair lifts, ramps, wider doorways, threshold alterations

and American with Disabilities Act-rated stools.

Sullivan works with occupational and physical therapists to make sure changes are in line with their recommendations. The business follows the CAPS code of ethics and complies with local building codes. Installers are licensed and certified. Because of the company’s thoroughness, most jobs take three days to complete, and all work has a satisfaction guarantee.

For more information or to schedule a free home assessment with a detailed estimate, call Sullivan at (815) 234-0688. ❚

Great Food

Americans spent $36 billion on dietary supplements last year, most of them unnecessary and some harmful, according to a 2022 Harvard Medical School report. Unlike drugs, these products aren’t scrutinized or even tested by the FDA before they’re sold.

Mass marketing aside, what drives our hunger for more and more nourishment in the richest nation of the world? A desire to escape mortality?

To be sure, Jesus Christ had a lot to say about feeding the hungry; every person is valued by God and every person needs food. But Jesus said our need for spiritual nourishment is even greater.

After being without food for 40 days in the desert (Matthew 4:4), Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 4:8 to Satan: “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”

God doesn’t require us to fast for 40 days, but He does tell us to nourish our spiritual lives. Jesus showed us how. He internalized scripture, spent prayer time alone with God, worshipped in community, obeyed Mosaic law and passionately cared for people regardless of their status.

“I am the bread of life: he that comes to me shall never hunger; and he that believes on me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35).

At the Last Supper, during Jewish Passover, Jesus uses food – bread and wine – as metaphor for the flesh and blood sacrifice he will soon make on our behalf. Passover celebrates freedom from Egyptian bondage. The final, 10th plague on Egypt was death of firstborn sons, but death skipped over Jewish families who marked their doorposts with lamb’s blood. Jesus Christ, our sacrificial Passover lamb, freed us from the bondage of mortality.

We were never meant to live in spiritual starvation.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:2830). ❚ - Janine Pumilia

Valentine’s Recipes You’ll Love to Share

If the way to your loved one’s heart is through the stomach, there’s no better way to start off this Valentine’s Day than with a homemade breakfast prepared with love.

Find more recipes you’ll love to share with your nearest and dearest this Valentine’s Day at culinary.net.

Cocoa-Kissed Red Velvet

Pancakes

Recipe courtesy of Nestlé

Servings: 10 pancakes

1 cup all-purpose flour

¼ cup granulated sugar

3 tablespoons Nestlé Toll House w/ Baking Cocoa

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

1 large egg

1 cup reduced-fat buttermilk or low-fat milk

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1½ teaspoons vanilla extract

1 teaspoon red food coloring heart-shaped pancake cutters or cookie cutters (optional) butter, for garnish (optional) powdered sugar, for garnish (optional) maple syrup, for garnish (optional) fresh berries, for garnish (optional)

In large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt; stir well. In separate large bowl, whisk together egg, buttermilk, unsalted butter, vanilla extract and food coloring. Add to flour mixture; stir to combine. Allow mixture to sit 5 minutes. Heat nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Brush with oil or butter.

Add about 1/4 cup batter to skillet. Cook about 2 minutes, or until bubbles start to form on top. Flip and cook 1-2 minutes, or until bottom is lightly browned. Serve immediately with butter, powdered sugar, syrup and berries, if desired.

Tip: If using pancake or cookie cutters, be sure to coat with oil so pancakes don’t stick. Place cutters in skillet and pour batter into cutters. Remove cutters before flipping. ❚

Source: Family Features

A Stronger and Better Film Festival

By Jermaine Pigee

The upcoming Beloit International Film Festival (BIFF) is slated to be stronger, better and more diverse than ever.

Now in its 18th season, BIFF, as it’s commonly known, is an annual 10-day film festival that recognizes the beauty and allure of independent films from across the country and around the world.

Film lovers converge in the heart of Beloit to enjoy 100 films in local venues, some of which can hold up to 200 people.

This season, the festival starts on Feb. 24 and runs through March 5 and includes narrative features, documentaries and short films.

Greg Gerard, executive director of BIFF, says BIFF is putting more of an emphasis on films with diversity and inclusion.

“It’s not that we haven’t always been a proponent of diversity and inclusivity, but I think we’re taking a step forward this year and bringing that into the light a little bit more than normal,” he says.

One film that Gerard is excited about is “Leaders of Madison’s Black Renaissance.”

Despite black people making up just 7% of the Madison, Wis., population, there are more African-American elected officials on the city council and school board than ever. In addition, the school superintendent, police chief, district attorney and county sheriff are also black. The film dives into what’s happening in Madison and the city’s culture.

There’s also a film called “The Exchange. In White America. Kaukauna & King 50 Years Later.” It’s a compelling story about an exchange of black and white high school students at Rufus King High School, in Milwaukee, and Kaukauna High School, in the Fox River Valley. The students lived in each other’s homes and attended classes in each other’s schools during the middle of the Civil Rights Movement.

Another interesting film that’s worth

(Peer Canvas photos)

checking out is “Big Crow,” a story about the power of hope in South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

“We’re in the business of film, so there’s always going to be plenty of great films for diverse groups,” Gerard says. “BIFF is for everyone, and we want everyone to see these stories.”

Longtime favorites, like the BIFF Sing-Along and the First National Bank Classic Film Showcase, are making a comeback this year.

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is this year’s BIFF Sing-Along, happening Feb. 25 at La Casa Grande, in Beloit. Yellow Brick Road, a local LGBTQ+ organization, will lead a downtown parade before the show.

The classic film “Top Gun” is this year’s selection for the Classic Film Showcase, happening March 5 at La Casa Grande.

All films will be shown in-person at various downtown Beloit venues, like Bagels & More, the Hendricks Center for

the Arts and the Downtown Beloit Association. Other sites showing films include La Casa Grande, Visit Beloit and the shiny-new Weissberg Auditorium in the Powerhouse at Beloit College.

The Beloit College CELEB building will again serve as the official BIFF Box Office during the duration of the festival.

“If you’re not around the first weekend, you can catch the films on the second weekend,” Gerard says. “The films also used to be spread all over town, but when there was a mission to recreate downtown Beloit, we started to focus more on our downtown venues and merchants.”

Those local merchants are ready to serve the hundreds of guests attending the festival, including Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint, Lucy’s #7 Burger Bar, Velvet Buffalo Modern Italian and Blue Collar Coffee Co.

Gerard says the festival will help people overcome those winter doldrums.

“BIFF happens at a time of year when cabin fever is really setting in and

when people are sick of sitting in their homes,” he says. “You can laugh, scream or cry during a film, go down the street and have a beer and talk about the film with other people who were there. It’s truly a nice environment to be in.”

Visit beloitfilmfest.org for information on tickets and film showings. Find the film festival on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. ❚

Cover photo by Peer Canvas

Rockford IceHogs Hockey

Now through April 15. The Rockford IceHogs are members of the American Hockey League and are affiliated with the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League. Home games are at the BMO Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford. See the full schedule at icehogs.com.

Natural History Trivia Night

Feb. 4, 4-5:30 p.m. Think you know your natural history? Grab your smartest friends and test your knowledge of animals, plants, dinosaurs and more. There are prizes for the top teams and for last place. Teams up to 8 people allowed. Burpee Museum of Natural History, 737 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 964-9713, burpee.org/trivia-night.

RAM: Yoga in the Gallery

Feb. 9-March 2, Thursdays 9 a.m. Join local artist and registered yoga teacher Rhiannon Yandell for a 60-minute vinyasa-style yoga practice suitable for all abilities. Mats available for use or bring your own. View art exhibits after class. Rockford Art Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 9682787, rockfordartmuseum.org.

Old Dominion: No Bad Vibes Tour

Feb. 10, 7:30 p.m. Since breaking in 2014, Old Dominion has had eight No. 1 singles at country

Entertainment & Events

radio and more than 1 billion on-demand streams. BMO Center, Rockford, thebmocenter.com/ events/old-dominion.

RSO: Music of John Williams

Feb. 11, 7:30 p.m. From “Jaws” to “Star Wars” and “Harry Potter,” Williams has become the soundtrack for generations of music lovers. An elite choir made up of the region’s high school students joins the orchestra for the “Hymn of the Fallen” from the movie “Saving Private Ryan.” Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 965-0049, rockfordsymphony.com.

Sundays at Macktown: Music of the 1840s

Feb. 12, 2-4 p.m. Try your hand at playing an oldstyle musical instrument and see if you can play a song that would have been popular in the 1840s, including tunes by Stephen Foster and Old Dan Emmet. Macktown Living History, 2221 Freeport Road, Rockton, Ill., (815) 624-4200, macktownlivinghistory.com.

Concert on the Creek

Feb. 12, 3-4 p.m. Uplifting sacred and secular music by Rockford’s Jodi Beach on vocals and piano, accompanied by her husband Jim McDowell’s

virtuosic bass playing. Spring Creek United Church of Christ, 4500 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, (815) 877-2576, springcreekucc.org.

Cocoa & Company Hikes: Alpine Hills

Feb. 14, 7-9 a.m. Begin the hike with hot chocolate and coffee inside before hitting the trails. Reg. req. Location: Snow Park at Alpine Hills, 4402 Larson Ave., Rockford. Info: Rockford Park District, Webbs Norman Center, 401 S. Main St., Rockford, (815) 987-8800, rockfordparkdistrict.org. ❚

Old Dominion brings their No Bad Vibes Tour to the BMO Center Feb. 10 at 7:30 p.m.