Smart Living Weekly December 12, 2018 by Northwest Quarterly Mag

Sm mart a r t L iving Weekly Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • Rockford Region/Beloit/Freeport 95¢ • December 12, 2018

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Right in Our Region

Give the Gift of Literacy

See Page 16

Tasty Holiday Bites Organizing Your Home New Hospital Set to Open! Different Seeds for Different Birds

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2 Tickets to Public Skate See Pg. 28 Details

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In This Issue

Right in Our Region ........................Cover & p. 16 Give the Gift of Literacy Your Home .................................................. ..... 11 Organize Your Home Inspiration & Worship ......................................12 Christmas: The Dawn of Grace Your Kitchen .....................................................15 Tasty Holiday Bites Outdoor Living .............................................. ... 21 Different Seeds for Different Birds Your Health ............................................. .......... 23 New Mercyhealth Hospital Set to Open Your Fun ................................................... ......... 25

Restaurant of the Week ................................... 26 Salamoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s North Dining Locally .......................................... ........ 26

Smart L iving Weekly â&#x201E;˘

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes

Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Managing Editor Lindsey Gapen Assistant Managing Editor Jermaine Pigee Editor Emeritus Janine Pumilia Graphics Director Blake Nunes Graphic Designer Samantha Behling Contributing Writer Peggy Werner, Paula Kalivoda Furniss General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes Advertising Sales Representatives Brian Hughes, Jeremy Jones, Nita Lasky, Anthony Franklin 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 2018 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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Sorry, Martha I

gave up trying to be Martha Stewart a long time ago. It’s not that I don’t admire her. I’m dazzled by the way Martha commands tiny rosettes of bright red icing to straighten up and fly right on her White Chocolate Triple Berry 16-Layer Super Difficult Christmas Cake. But I spent too many holidays exhausted by such Olympic-level efforts when what I should have done was use that time to play a few board games with my kids. Today, cooking shows are my entertainment, not my aspiration. But it took awhile. My fascination began with TV’s “Galloping Gourmet” (Graham Kerr) when I was a kid. One night I carefully baked his fancy Cornish Hen recipe for my parents. Afterward, Dad, trying to be supportive, told me we could afford “real chickens instead of those scrawny ones” next time. Sigh. Years later I was a devotee of the “Frugal Gourmet” (the late Jeff Smith). My toddlers would yell to me from the living room, “Mommy, your friend is on TV!” as I ripped open a box of Kraft Mac ‘n Cheese for supper. From Smith I learned to appreciate what our immigrant ancestors brought to the American table. His late ’80s book on that subject sparked a holiday tradition of inviting family to celebrate the cuisine of a different culture each year. We’ve kept that tradition for 30 years. So when I walked into The Norwegian restaurant on North Main this weekend, I recognized the Krumkake waffle cookies and could appreciate the burned fingers that go into making them ... at least when I do it. I loved it when the Food Network came along in the early ’90s (Bam!), as well as HGTV and the great PBS shows. Sometimes I try out their ideas, but mostly I just watch them do it. And that’s fine. What I know now is that setting aside relaxed time together is the key to a happy Christmas for children and adults alike. Few people care whether the wreath is handmade or the pasta sauce comes from a jar. The kids just want you to not be exhausted. The joy is in the journey, even at busy Christmastime. Have a great week! ❚ Janine Pumilia SLW Editor

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Make a Differenc By Peggy Werner

f you truly want to make a difference, consider helping an adult to discover the joy of reading. Most people take for granted being able to read street signs, grocery store ads, instructions on a medicine bottle, the latest news or being able to fill out a job application. But for those who have limited reading skills, all they see are roadblocks to better living. Some English-speaking adults have limited reading skills because they had interruptions at a time when they should have been learning to read, whether caused by illness, relocation, problems at home or just not being able to learn in the style that was taught, says Debbie Lindley, program director for The Literacy Council, 982 N. Main St. And, some people are in the process of learning English as a second language. “By the time some people are adults, they’ve gone through a lot in life and

Literacy Can Make All the Difference

Give the Gift of Membership Just $90 for one full year of fun learning at Discovery Center! To purchase, go to DiscoveryCenterMuseum.org/visit or call 815-963-6769

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It Starts With You!

STUDENT.

Become a It’s Easy and It’s Free!

TUTOR.

Be a Empower Someone. Volunteer Today!

Visit: www.theliteracycouncil.org E-mail: Read@theliteracycouncil.org Call: 815-963-7323

To advertise call 815-316-2300

suffer lack ing m result and l says. V ing t the 5 be p attend shops Belvi learn who Coun imum stude teach least schoo that m T

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Y H  G

An Organized Home Decreases Your Stress By Janine Pumilia

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. ❚

Get SLW Home & Garden articles every week. Visit NWQSmartLiving. com and start your e-Edition today.

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I  W

Christmas

The Dawn of Grace

hile many details related to Jesus’ birth are murky, scriptures in both the Old and New Testaments couldn’t be clearer about his purpose for coming: to bring light to a dark world and everlasting life to those who choose to believe on him. In Luke 4:16-21, shortly after Jesus began his ministry, he went to his hometown synogogue in Nazareth, opened the scroll of the prophet Isaiah (part of the Old Testament, written some 700 years before he was born) and read: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” Then Jesus closed the book, gave it back to the minister, and sat down. Everyone stared at him, and he told them, “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.” While many religions recognize Jesus as a prophet, only Christianity celebrates him as the son of God and the messiah prophesied in the Old Testament. Christianity is entirely unique in its message of grace. “For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God,” writes the apostle Paul in Ephesians 2:8. John 1:17 tells us, “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” Jesus Christ ended classism by extending the option of salvation to all people, Jew and non-Jew, male and female, slave and free (Galatians 3:28). Shortly before his death by crucifixion, Jesus prayed not only for people who already believed on him, but for “all those who shall believe on me through their word” (John 17:20) – and that means us. Why not make time this season to read for yourself the scriptures that describe Christ’s birth? You’ll find them in the first chapters of the gospels of Luke and Matthew. Merry Christmas! ❚ 12

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Beautiful flowers, topiaries and gift s 2213 E State St Rockford, IL 61104 Poskastyle.com (815) 316-2979

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Y K

Dazzle Guests with Easy Holiday Eats C

reating a delicious holiday spread that your guests will love doesn’t have to be hard. Keep it simple and serve a table of tasty appetizers rather than a full meal, especially during a season when guests likely have several stops to make.

Making delectable appetizers doesn’t mean you have to spend hours in the kitchen. Timesavers, such as the easy-toserve feta cheese crumbles used in this Holiday Bruschetta, are a quick way to enhance any salad, cheese plate or side dish. Then round out your menu with a diverse offering of other crowd-pleasing, quick-prep items, from deviled eggs and pinwheels, to shrimp cocktail and bagel pizzas.

Holiday Bruschetta • 1 baguette • olive oil • 1 tomato, diced

• 1/2 cup red pepper, diced •1 container (6 ounces) Simply Artisan Reserve Feta Cheese •1 tsp. Litehouse Instantly Fresh Basil •1/2 cup Litehouse Organic Balsamic Vinaigrette

Directions: Cut baguette into 1/2-inch slices. Brush with olive oil and grill lightly. In bowl, combine tomato, red pepper, feta cheese, basil and just enough vinaigrette to lightly coat. Place heaping spoon of mixture on each baguette slice and drizzle with more vinaigrette, to taste.

Blue Cheese, Pomegranate and Quinoa Caviar • 2 ounces Simply Artisan Reserve Blue Cheese (Crumbles or Center Cut) • 1/3 cup pre-cooked red quinoa • 1/3 cup pomegranate arils (seeds), 1 TB. reserved • 1 tsp. Litehouse Organic Balsamic Vinaigrette • 1 tsp. Litehouse Instantly Fresh Thyme

• 1 TB. chopped walnuts • assorted crackers

Directions: In small bowl, add blue cheese crumbles, quinoa, pomegranate arils and vinaigrette. Stir gently to combine. Transfer to 6-ounce ramekin dish and use back of spoon to tightly pack down. Place serving plate on top of ramekin and quickly invert. Carefully lift ramekin, leaving mixture in mold form. Sprinkle top with thyme, walnuts and reserved pomegranate arils. Serve with crackers. ❚ Source: Family Features

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R  O R

Give the Gift of Literacy & See People Bloom By Peggy Werner

elping people learn to read, write and speak English might just be the best gift you can give to yourself and others. The Literacy Council in Rockford, 982 N. Main St., is looking for volunteer tutors to shorten the list of about 60 learners waiting to be paired with someone who can help change their lives, says Literacy Coordinator Bonnie Juarez. “All you have to do is be patient and have a willingness and desire to help make a difference,” she says. You don’t have to be a teacher to volunteer. Volunteer tutors need to be at least 18 years old, have at least a high school diploma or GED, and successfully complete a 12-hour online or in-person training course. The next in-person tutor training will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, Jan. 7-28, at North Suburban Library, 6340 N. 2nd St. in Loves Park. An online training will begin Jan. 8.

Smart Living Weekly

“Tutors are asked to make a twohour weekly commitment for at least one year, but many relationships last a lot longer because the tutors and learners enjoy working together and become good friends,” says Juarez. “When helping someone to read, it’s a good idea to use material that’s interesting to the learner to help keep their attention and heighten their desire to learn. The most successful matches happen when both tutor and learner want to learn from each other and enjoy their time together,” she says. Phil Hjemboe, a retired teacher and librarian, debated whether to make a oneyear commitment as a tutor. Almost 20 years later, he’s still volunteering and now works with five learners. “I enjoy working with students oneon-one and am eager to zero in on what they need. I always ask what the student

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Tutor Phil Hjemboe with learner Eugene Street. Both gentleman won Spotlight Awards for Service and Achievement from Illinois of Secretary of State Jesse White.

wants from me as a tutor and I ask that question periodically during our time together because needs change,” he says. Learners want to improve their skills in order to continue their education, to get a job or promotion, to pass a citizenship test or just to be better citizens.

R  O R Hjemboe especially enjoys ESL students because he likes working with people from other countries. Language skills require practice. For that reason, he’s grateful to The Literacy Council for starting a weekly conversation group in 2017. Cheng Wu attends the conversation group, takes ESL classes at Rock Valley College (RVC) and has worked one-onone with Hjemboe for about six months. A native of China, she has two college degrees and is a wife and mother of two. Her newly acquired skills have increased her confidence. As a result, she now works as a volunteer helping grade school children with their reading. “I feel I have made a lot of progress and at least I can now hold a conversation. That’s a big step for me,” she says. Hjemboe says he can’t imagine what else would give him more satisfaction than working as a tutor. “I regard my work as a tutor as central to my life in retirement,” he says. “I volunteer for other causes, but nothing

gives me the satisfaction I get from tutoring. It’s a great sense of accomplishment for everyone and knowing the language is vital for being able to fully participate as a citizen in this country.” He recommends that people who are thinking about tutoring give it a try. “The important thing is that you like helping people,” Hjemboe says. “That’s why people volunteer for anything.” Tutor Michel Williams has worked with two learners this year. One is a native speaker and the other is an ESL learner. The first has improved by two reading levels and the ESL learner has obtained her U.S. citizenship. It’s not necessary, she says, to know a person’s native language when teaching them to speak English. “I can’t imagine not doing this. It’s very rewarding and interesting to learn about other cultures,” she says. Esther Jaramillo is an ESL learner at The Literacy Council and takes ESL classes at RVC. An at-home caregiver and

seamstress, she was paired with a tutor about six months ago because she wanted to be able to communicate Cheng Wu better with her American customers and her own grandchildren. “I feel I’ve made a lot of progress because I can speak and read English better and have learned some computer skills. I was so nervous at first, but now I’m excited to learn something new every week and my grandchildren are so proud of me,” she says. From Mexico, she has lived in the U.S. for nine years. She hopes to get more of her family members interested in being tutored. For more information on becoming a tutor, attending training sessions or getting a tutor, contact The Literacy Council at (815) 963-7323, ext. 18. ❚

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O L

Different Seeds Attract Different Birds

By Peggy Werner ird feeding is not just a fun hobby for homeowners; it’s also an essential part of the equation for helping birds have the energy and nutrients they need to stay warm in winter. “Birds can lose up to 15 percent of their entire body weight on an especially cold night. They need energy from food to ﬂy, to reproduce in the summer and to stay warm in the winter,” says Phil Rezin, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited, 631 S. Perryville Road in Rockford. Normally, birds use feeders to supplement other food sources available in nature, but when the temperatures dip, they rely on backyard feeders more than ever to get those much-needed calories for survival, he says. The sale of fresh, high-quality bird seed accounts for about half the business at Wild Birds Unlimited in Rockford, Rezin says.

“Our seed comes in weekly, moves quickly, and is always stored inside. Seed, like produce, comes from plants and the longer it sits around, the less nutritional value it has,” he says. High-quality birdseed provides the most calories because it’s pure seed. “There’s no waste in any of our seed,” says Rezin. “Waste is a common problem with most birdseed because it’s 70 to 80 percent filler, consisting of cereal and other grains that birds won’t eat.” Various blends attract various birds. Sunflower and safflower-based seed blends attract cardinals, chickadees, nuthatches and finches. Woodpeckers, blue jays, titmice and nuthatches all like nuts with their seed. The best seller, though, is the “no mess blend,” which is pure seed with no hulls. Hulls make a seed blend about 40 percent inedible because the birds don’t eat them and when they are discarded

they can sprout and cause unwanted vegetation in a yard. “A lot of people like to see birds cracking hulls, for their own entertainment, but the birds don’t care about hulls,” says Rezin. “If birds are what you want to see, tell us what kinds of birds you like and we can help you get them in your yard.” ❚

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Y H

Mercyhealth Javon Bea Hospital Opens T

wo years and 10 months after Mercyhealth broke ground on Mercyhealth’s Javon Bea Hospital and Physician Clinic–Riverside, some 8,000 members of the public came out on Dec. 8 to tour the largest construction project in Rockford’s history. Mercyhealth’s employee/partners who will work in the new $505 million, 563,000 square-foot hospital and physician clinic stood along the tour route to speak with members of the community about the highly specialized care that will be provided to children and adults in the 6-story hospital and 4-story physician clinic. “The sickest of the sickest will be cared for at this hospital,” said Javon R. Bea, Mercyhealth President and CEO. “This pillar of the Earth will serve people’s bodies, minds and souls as a center of healing and comfort.”

The new facility has 194-patient beds, houses the region’s largest Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit that provides the highest level of specialized care, the only Small Baby Unit in the region, an Adult and Pediatric Emergency Trauma Center, Adult Medical and Surgical Units, hybrid operating suites and more.

The public open house was a celebration of the communities of northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin, the areas Mercyhealth serves with more than 2.4 million patient visits a year. Guests were treated to music provided by students from local chools and a performance by saxophonist and Rockford native Harlan Jefferson. The health and wellness expo featured a chance for the public to meet the physicians and other providers who will care for them at the new hospital. “This new specialty referral hospital and clinic, combined with the $50 million commitment already made to the Javon Bea Hospital and Physician Clinic–Rockton, will bring the breadth and depth of medical services in the Rockford region to an exciting new level,” said Bea. The hospital officially will open to patients on Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019. ❚

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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 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

Trinadora’s Holiday Frolic Concert Dec. 13, 7 p.m. Katie’s Cup, 502 7th St., Rockford. Free. Refreshments for sale. Doors openILat61101 6 p.m. Rockford, 1.800.521.0849 gorockford.com 9/10/07 2:07:37 PM

AE: “A Christmas Carol” Radio Play Dec. 14-16, Fri.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sat. 4 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Temperamental Everett Kane as Scrooge. Cheek Theatre, Rockford University, (815) 394-5004, artistsensemble.org. AE: “A Christmas Carol” Radio Play Dec. 14-16, Fri.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sat. 4 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Notoriously temperamental Everett Kane is playing Scrooge on the annual broadcast of “A Christmas Carol.” If he shows up. And if things go according to plan. AE, Cheek Theatre, Rockford University, (815) 394-5004, artistsensemble.org. Byron Civic Theatre Christmas Spectacular Dec. 14-16, Fri.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 2 p.m. Surround yourself with the sights and sounds of a magical Christmas. This production features favorite classics, as the area’s finest talent celebrates the season in style. Byron Civic Theater, Byron Middle School, 850 N. Colfax St., Byron, Ill., (815) 312-3000, bctmagic.com. “Yes, Virginia: The Musical” Dec. 15, 7 p.m. Based on the story of eightyear-old Virginia O’Hanlon, who wrote a letter in 1897 to the editor of the New York Sun newspaper asking about the existence of Santa Claus. The answer has become history’s most reprinted newspaper editorial. CTP/YTP, Nordlof Center, Rockford. Info: rockfordpubliclibrary.org.

Five By Design will join the RSO Holiday Pops concert at Coronado Theater Dec. 15 & 16.

BJSO: A Holiday Extravaganza Dec. 16, 2 p.m. Featuring the Badger Chordhawks and the jolly man in red. Beloit Janesville Symphony (BJSO), JPAC, Janesville, (608) 758-029. Tickets/Info: (608) 313-1200, beloitjanesvillesymphony.org. A Choral Christmas Dec. 16, 7 p.m. The Bel Canto singers are known for their beautiful harmonies and lush interpretations of Christmas music; featuring organist Deborah Krauss Smith. St. Victor Catholic Church, 1760 14th St., Monroe, Wis., (608) 214-0331, monroeartscenter.com. Christmas at the Armory Dec. 21-22, 7 p.m. The area’s finest performers entertain with a family evening of Christmas songs. Surprise visit by you-know-who. Cocktails and buffet available prior to show. Janesville Armory, 10 S. High St., Janesville, (608) 741-7400, janesvillearmory.com.

Tinsel & Twang: A Merry-Cana Christmas Dec. 15, 7:30 p.m. Enjoy spirited renditions of holiday music with a touch of Nashville and Branson twang as Tom Waselchuk, Jami Lampkins and their band deliver an energetic Christmas concert. JPAC, Janesville, (608) 7580297, janesvillepac.org.

A Christmas Carol Radio Show Dec. 24 & 25, see website for broadcast times. Gather the family to listen to this radio drama, which tells the tale of tight-fisted Ebenezer Scrooge as he learns the true meaning of Christmas. MAC, Monroe, (608) 325-5700, monroeartscenter.org.

RSO: Holiday Pops Dec. 15-16, Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m. Lift your spirits with seasonal songs and traditional carols performed by the RSO and the Mendelssohn Chorale, with guest artists Five By Design. RSO, Coronado PAC, Rockford, (815) 965-0049, rockfordsymphony.com.

Legends of Country Dec. 31-Feb. 17, see website for times. A stage full of country superstars re-created in one performance: Dolly Parton, Tim McGraw, Reba McEntire, Brooks and Dunn, Shania Twain and Johnny Cash. Fireside, Fort Atkinson, Wis., (800) 477-9505, firesidetheatre.com. ❚

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Salamone’s North: Italian Cuisine with a Twist

By Mika Doyle

ockford residents don’t have to drive to Cherry Valley to get their Salamone’s ﬁx anymore. The family-run establishment has opened a second location called Salamone’s North, tucked inside the shopping plaza on the corner of Mulford and Spring Creek Roads in Rockford. The new 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 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

In the Spotlight

Top Picks for Local Restaurants Baci’s Kitchen  Fast-Casual, dine-in, carry-out. 2990 N. Perryville Road, inside A Perryville Place. (815) 329-6922. Open 7 days/wk. at 8 a.m. BkLD. Complete menu at Baciskitchen.com. Backyard Grill & Bar  Casual/American. 5390 Elevator Road, Roscoe, Ill., (815) 623-6677. 2nd St., Loves Park, Ill., (815) 6369430. LD M-Th 11am-midnight, F-Sat to 2am, Sun noon-10 p.m. $-SS. Bravo Pizza  Italian/American. 376 Prairie Hill Road, S. Beloit, Ill., (815) 624-7900. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11pm. $. Capital House  Lunches, fine dining, sushi bar, gourmet coffee & pastries, martini bar. 308 W. State St., Rockford, (815) 708-8989. LD T-Th 11am-10pm, Fri.-Sat. 11 am-10pm. $-$$$. Ciao Bella Ristorante Upscale-Casual/Italian-American. Daily specials. 6500 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park, Ill. (815) 654-9900. LD M-F 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sat. 5-10 p.m. $$ Cucina di Rosa  Italian Bistro/Bakery 1620 Bell School Road, (815) 395-5040. BkLD. M-Sat 7am-9pm. $$ Dos Reales Mexican Restaurant  Casual/Mexican. 5855 E. State St., (815) 227-4979. LD $-$$.

398-5700. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11 pm. GreenFire  Upscale-Casual/American contemporary. Live entertainment. 6795 E. Riverside Blvd., Rockford, (815) 3163473. BkLD M-F 11am, Sat-Sun 8am. Bar open late. $$$. Hearthrock Cafe  Restaurant/cafe. Baked goods, coffee, breakfast, lunch. Inside Benson Stone Co., 1100 11th St., (815) 227-2000. BkL M-F 7:30am-3pm; Sat. 8am-3pm. $-$$. Lino’s  Italian/American. 5611 E. State St., Rkfd. (815) 397-2077. D M-Sat 4:30am-10pm; Sun. 4:30am-9 pm. $$. Maciano’s  Casual Italian. 6746 Broadcast Pkwy., Loves Park, (815) 633-7500; & 5801 Columbia Pkwy., Rkfd., (815) 227-5577. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11pm. $-$$. 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. $-$$. Prairie Street Brewhouse  Upscale-Casual/American. 200 Prairie St., Rockford, (815) 277-9427. LD Sun-W 11am10pm, Th to midnight, F-Sat to 2am. $-$$.

Fresco at the Gardens.  Casual/American Café. 318 Spring Creek Road, (815) 316-2256. BkL Daily 7am-3pm. $$

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

Giordano’s  Casual/Italian. Stuffed pizza, salads, entrees, sandwiches, desserts. 33 Executive Parkway, Rockford, (815)

Taco Betty’s  Casual/Mexican-American. 212 E. State St., Rkfd., (815) 977-5650. LD Daily 11am-1am. $$. ❚

Smart Living Weekly

always come out and interact with our guests. We meet such great people.” Salamone’s North is open at 11 a.m. seven days a week. The kitchen is open until 10 p.m., but the bar is open late. 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. ❚

Dec. 12

To advertise call 815-316-2300

Higher Grounds

or 10 years, this coffee shop at 1709 S. West Ave., Freeport, has helped area residents to get their days off to a great start. Owner Cynthia Faulkner uses choice specialty coffee beans and prepares food fresh daily, using only top quality ingredients. Breakfast items include scones, muffins, quiche, cinnamon rolls and pastries; at lunchtime there are soups, chicken and tuna salad wraps, panini and flatbread sandwiches. Naturally the shop is best-known for its specialty coffee drinks: lattes, cappuccinos, espressos, mochas and house blend coffees. Other beverages include hot chocolate, teas, Italian soda, frozen smoothies and frappes. Higher Grounds is open Mon.-Fri. 6:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat. 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. and Sun. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. ❚

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Smart Living Weekly

Dec. 12

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To advertise call 815-316-2300

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Dec. 12

Smart Living Weekly

Issue 1