Smart a r t L iving art Weekly Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • Rockford Region/Beloit 95¢ • May 22, 2019
™
Right in Our Region
Downtown RMTD Transfer Center Gets Major Makeover See Page 16
Remodeling Tips Tasty Sheet Pan Supper Make Summer Parties Easier Seeing Your Pet Through Tough Times New Exhibit at Rockford Art Museum
FREE WIN!
Ron Muzzarelli, RMTD Dispatch Supervisor
4 Tickets to Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens
See Pg. 28 Details
Best of Life Information for Our Region’s Residents & Visitors Proudly Serving the Needs of 326,000 Neighbors - For Your Home, Health & Fun!
Smart Living Weekly
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In This Issue
Right in Our Region ........................Cover & p. 16 RMTD Downtown Transfer Center Gets Makeover Your Home ............................................ ..... 11, 19 New Home Showroom; Tips for a Smooth Remodel Inspiration & Worship ......................................12 Riches That Matter Your Kitchen .....................................................15 Tasty Sheet Pan Supper Your Life Hacks .................................................20 Make Summertime Parties Easier Your Community ...............................................21 When You Need Help Keeping a Pet Your Health ............................................. .......... 23 Reduce Allergens in Your Home Your Fun ................................................... ......... 25
Restaurant of the Week ................................... 26 Tavern on Clark Dining Locally .......................................... ........ 26
Your Outing ............................................. .......... 29 New Exhibit at Rockford Art Museum
Smart L iving Weekly ™
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 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 2019 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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May 22
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We’ll Miss You, Chuck
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s I was writing this column, Monday morning, I received the shocking news of Register Star political columnist Chuck Sweeny’s death. It knocked the wind out of me. Chuck and I have long been tethered by our love for the late Bob and Mona Stone, founders of the Rockford Journal newspaper, who mentored us both, albeit in different decades. Chuck visited them faithfully until they died. I sent Chuck a note a few years ago, thanking him not only for the integrity of his work, but also his longevity in this industry. Few people realize how difficult a line he walked, keeping the respect of people from all political stripes intact, decade after decade. I didn’t always agree with his opinion pieces, but that’s the point. No one did. Nobody owned him. Chuck replied to my note with some fun reminiscing that I don’t think he’d mind me LEASING OFFICE LOCATED AT: sharing here: 8702 N. 2nd St, Unit B - Machesney Park “I have a photo of Bob on my wall at my office and I look at it daily. I remember often the saying he used all the time when dealing with a touchy topic; write it ‘and let the chips WWW.TLC-MP.COM fall where they may.’ “Bob taught me what is important to readers; while I wanted to find the ‘big’ story all the time, he would remind me that taking a picture of Father McDonnell and the volunteers pre1 paring the corned beef and cabbage dinner 4.58x4.78_TLC-ad.indd at St. Patrick’s was just as important, and maybe more so, to Journal readers … “Over those years I wrote stories, took pictures, sold advertising, hauled papers off the press every week in Belvidere and threw them in a truck, delivered the bundles to carriers and made sure they got paid. Later, when I was in Durand, I helped Owen [Phelps] lay out pages. “Perhaps you can detect some of Bob’s style in a few of the things I write -- I always enjoyed the way he combined routine items with biting commentary. That paper was unique, and I am proud to be an alumnus ... I often think about those days now, in the twilight of my career.” Thanks, Chuck, for all the good words you wrote. For doing your homework thoroughly. For making us think. For staying down to earth. And for letting the chips fall where they may. We will miss you. Please give hugs to Bob and Mona. ❚
NOW PRE-LEASING! (815) 242-2852
5/20/19 4:18 PM
Janine Pumilia SLW Editor
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You Deserve Dawn’s Unsurpassed Service Dawn Karns, Gambino Realtors Here’s What Dawn’s Customers Have to Say: “Dawn Karns is the best! I couldn’t have asked for a better Realtor to help me buy my first house! She was approachable responsive and SO helpful throughout the whole process.”
Kelsey White 815-494-6507 • dkarns@gogambino.com See more of my testimonials at my website: GoGambino.com/dkarns
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Your Remodeling Experience Can Go Smoothly By Janine Pumilia
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od Chapman, owner of C & H Design Center, has coordinated a lot of kitchen and bath remodels during the past 10 years and has some advice to share. First, be wary of do-it-yourself projects. “We often have to go in and fix problems people created for themselves by taking on more than they really knew how to do,” says Chapman. “They’re trying to save money, but it ends up costing them more. Take advantage of the knowledge and experience people like us can offer.” Chapman’s 6,000-foot showroom at 6506 Logan Ave., in Belvidere, Ill., contains all the elements needed for any size job, from design help to cabinets, counters, tile, hardware, fixtures, shower systems, flooring and more. C & H Design serves customers within a 65-mile radius, including Rockford, Freeport, southern
Wisconsin and Chicago suburbs. “Some people think they’ll save a lot of money buying from big-box home centers but don’t realize those materials are often rejects or factory seconds that may not be great quality,” says Chapman. “Our pricing is comparable to home centers, but we carry a bigger selection of quality products at all price points. Plus, you don’t have to stand there and figure out all the aspects of the job yourself.” Chapman is glad he can offer a onestop experience to customers because he knows how many phone calls and headaches can be involved when coordinating a job. “Someone has to do all the scheduling for the various subcontractors,” he says. “We can handle everything so that you only have one interface, or we’ll work with you if you want to use a particular subcontractor. When you do a re-
model with us, you’ll get a schedule of who is going to be there, on which day, doing what.” Chapman advises people to make sure they feel comfortable with the contractor they hire and to be sure all subcontractors are licensed and insured. Ask to see photos of completed jobs and check references. Businesses with longevity and a local street address are more likely to be reliable. Learn more at candhdesigncenter. com or call (815) 547-8453. ❚
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The Riches that Matter
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or some reason, it became popular in some circles of American Christianity, in recent decades, to preach that we will grow rich in money if we seek out God and donate a lot of money to our churches. Certainly scripture states that God will meet our needs and is capable of blessing us beyond what we can imagine. And there’s plenty of scriptural support for giving God our “first fruits” – a regular portion of the finest things reaped from our labor. In our culture, that generally means money rather than the fattest sheep or tastiest grapes. That we should happily part with a share of our income makes perfect sense. After all, none of us would have anything without God – not even life or breath. The least we can do is return part of our income to God in gratitude, not because God needs the money, but because we need to be able to part with it. It’s also a way to obey God’s instruction that we take care of one another. Where we give and how we do that is something we prayerfully work out with God. But the desire for wealth is not in itself a reason to follow Christ, says the apostle Paul. There’s no guarantee that every devoted Christian will be wealthy or even comfortable. To the contrary, hunger, persecution and pain are common experiences among Christians, through no fault of their own. They always have been. The key, says Paul, is to be content and grateful to God, whether we’re in a state of poverty or plenty. Either one tempts us to lose our way. Wealth may inflate our human egos, feed our greed and scramble our priorities; poverty may cause us to resent God, hurt others or do evil things in our desperation. “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty,” Paul writes to the Philippians, who have sent him a gift of money to support his ministry. “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:12 & 13 (NIV). God makes us rich in all that matters most to Him. As we practice “putting on the mind of Christ” (Romans 12:12), we reap “fruit of the spirit” – love, joy, peace, forbearance (tolerance/patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22 & 23 NIV). These are true riches. ❚ – Janine Pumilia 12
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A Tasty Sheet Pan Supper
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heet pan suppers make it easy to create dishes with exceptional flavor depth that come together quickly and clean up fast. Keeping a variety of vegetables on hand makes it simple to pull together a family meal. Onions, for example, are versatile, flavorful, easy to store, have a long shelf-life and are available year-round from U.S. growers. They’re also a good source of fiber. Find more tasty onion recipes at onions-usa.org or usaonions.com. Spicy Sheet Pan Roasted Jambalaya Servings: 4-6 1 large yellow onion, diced 1/2 large green bell pepper, diced 1/2 large yellow bell pepper, diced 1/2 large red bell pepper, diced 3 stalks celery, sliced or diced 2 garlic cloves, minced 1-2 jalapenos, seeded and diced 1 pint cherry tomatoes
3 Tb. olive oil, divided 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. black pepper 1 link (13.5 ounces) Andouille sausage, sliced 1 lb. large shrimp, peeled and deveined 1 Tb. Cajun seasoning blend 1 pkg. linguine noodles, cooked according to package directions 1-2 lemons, sliced in thin wedges 2 green onions, sliced fresh chopped parsley
Heat oven to 400 F. Line 13-by-18-inch sheet pan with parchment paper. In large bowl, combine onion, bell peppers, celery, garlic, jalapenos, tomatoes, 2 Tb. olive oil, salt and pepper until evenly combined. Spread out evenly on pan in single layer. Add slices of Andouille sausage. Roast 15-20 minutes, or until vegetables are tender & browned.
Toss shrimp with Cajun seasoning and prepare linguine noodles. When ready, remove baking sheet from oven. Place shrimp on top of vegetable and sausage mixture in single layer. Top with half the lemon wedges. Return to oven and cook about 5-8 minutes, or until shrimp is no longer pink. Serve over linguine garnished with green onions and parsley with remaining fresh lemon wedges on side. ❚
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R O R
RMTD Touts Improved Transfer Center
By Jermaine Pigee, assistant managing editor ockford Mass Transit District’s Machesney Park and Belvidere. The 40 downtown transfer center is getting buses operate 18 routes Monday through a $7 million makeover. Saturday with six night routes and six Located at 501 W. State St., Rockroutes on Sunday. ford, the center is more than 30 years old The improvement project is divided and updates are a long time coming, says into two phases. The first one was comLisa Brown, marketing and public relapleted in February and included a comtions specialist for RMTD. plete overhaul of the inside of the transfer “We have about 4,000 people on our center at a cost of just over $4 million. buses everyday and about half of them The second phase is focused on the bustransfer downtown,” Brown says. “So, ing configuration outdoors. for 30 years, we’ve had 2,000 people a Since the completion of the first day going to that building and it’s taken a phase, the transfer center has more toll on it. The building went through a lot space, is brighter and features upof wear and tear. It needed to be refreshed dated amenities including better into give our passengers a much nicer waitformation system displays, charging ing environment.” stations for mobile devices, improved Since 1971, RMTD has been prosurveillance equipment and a large, viding affordable transportation to area oversized route board that provides residents. It offers fixed route and parareal-time bus arrival information. transit services in Rockford, Loves Park, “Basically, we took the old
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building, used about 90 percent of the existing structure and extended that property, so we doubled the footprint of what was originally there and it gave us a new facility,” Brown says. “Passengers will be able to see exactly when their bus will arrive in an easier format,” Brown says. “The board has all the routes and will notify passengers if their bus is on time or delayed.”
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Updated surveillance equipment will improve safety for riders and staff members alike. “It’ll be a safer environment because visibility is better and there are fewer blind spots in the building,” Brown says. The transfer center is ADA compliant, with plenty of room for handicappedaccessible seating. Waiting area seating is expanded and there are new vending machines plus a new family restroom. The second phase of the project will
change how the buses enter and leave the building by introducing a sawtooth configuration. “With the sawtooth design, the buses will come in and out in a straight line,” Brown says. “Before, the buses came to a cemented wall area and they had to back straight out. Backing up a 35-foot bus was something we did numerous times a day, but it wasn’t optimal because it wasn’t the safest and most efficient way to board passengers.” Brown says the new design allows for speedier dispatch of vehicles and also more efficient passenger loading. “We’ll now be able to use the middle doors on our buses and we couldn’t do that before,” Brown says. The second phase of the project also addresses better outside lighting, better
signage, additional security cameras and ADA-accessible boarding areas. “Once this portion is done, the whole project will be complete,” Brown says. If the weather cooperates, the second phase should be finished by late summer. It comes in at just under $3 million. Money for the entire project comes from a mix of state and federal funds. Once everything is finished, the downtown transfer center will resemble the newer RMTD transfer center at 725 N. Lyford Road, on the east side of Rockford, built in 2012. Each facility will have its own identity but be tied to the other from a style standpoint. “We’re using similar materials, but in a different color palette,” Brown says. “We also used natural materials like brushed aluminum. It was really important to us that both buildings looked the same so that people would still know they’re at an RMTD property, but we also wanted them to have their own identity.” ❚
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Cedar & Stone Cabinetry Showroom Opens By Peggy Werner
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acktown Construction, 9957 N. Alpine Road., in Machesney Park, has put on a new addition to make life easier for homeowners looking for ideas for their own home renovations. Cedar & Stone Cabinetry and Flooring is a new 2,400 square-foot showroom at the same location and carries a full line of cabinets, flooring, cabinet hardware, countertops and lighting to help people make choices, says President Tony Bonnet. “We want to create a better overall experience for our customers. In this business for more than 15 years, one thing that stands out is just how overwhelming and stressful it can be for people trying to make choices,” Bonnet says. Macktown specializes in kitchens, bathrooms and home renovations in the Stateline area and adheres to a seven-step process to make sure every construction
project runs as smoothly as possible and with minimal surprises. “When it comes to remodeling, you can find a lot of buried headaches in the areas of plumbing, electrical work and framing that can’t be seen at first. We want to make sure we have everything covered and there are no surprises,” he says. Macktown Construction professionals offer a free inhome consultation with customers. They give advice, talk about goals and any fears a customer may have regarding the project. A pre-construction meeting takes place before the project begins. When work is finished, a warranty is delivered and follow-up appointments ensure satisfaction, Bonnet says.
When thinking about a home remodeling project, people need to have an idea of how they want an area to look and what they’re willing to invest, he says. “The first thing we always want to know is why someone wants to make a change, whether it’s to update an existing space, open up an area, or set another goal,” he says. ❚
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Catering Options Make Party Fun Easier By Peggy Werner arm weather brings many good reasons for getting together – and everyone wants good food to eat. So, when planning a wedding, graduation, birthday, shower or grilling party this summer, the first person you want to call is the caterer. Countryside Meats & Deli, 781 Highgrove Place, Rockford, has always been in the business of catering and can provide everything you need – including the grill and the cook – or you can pick up the food and do it yourself. Julie Edwards, catering manager at Countryside, says the most important thing is to set a time and date, even before deciding the number of people and what’s on the menu. Edwards’ specialty is helping people to plan events and to know how much food to order. Numerous factors must be taken into consideration.
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“You just have to make an educated guess and it’s always better to have too much food than not enough. Our food is made fresh to order, so leftovers will be good in the refrigerator for a few days,” she says. Cheesy potatoes, barbecued pork, Italian beef and a variety of pasta and vegetable salads are among the best sellers, but people have a nearly endless variety of foods from which to choose at countrysidemeat.com. There’s a breakfast/brunch menu with egg, sausage or French toast casseroles, a choice of quiche, an assortment of pastries, fresh fruit, bacon and a sausage apple ring. Buffet menus feature roast beef, hickory-smoked ham, baked chicken, turkey breast, Italian beef, lasagna, mostaccioli, meatballs, six varieties of potatoes, beans and vegetables. There’s a hot and cold hors d’oeuvres menu, a wide choice
May 22
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of party trays with meat, shrimp, vegetables, sausage and cheese, relishes, and fresh fruit, in various sizes. The dessert menu includes cookies, brownies, turtle bars, lemon bars, cheesecake and carrot cake squares, and dipped strawberries. There’s also an assortment of dinner rolls to choose among and several picnic packages for outdoor fun. “We love what we do and always try to be as accommodating as possible,” says Edwards. For more information, call Countryside at (815) 399-8660. ❚
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There’s Help for Pet Owners in Crisis By Peggy Werner
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wning a pet is often a bigger responsibility than some people want to accept or think about in advance. People too often behave impulsively when caught off guard by an animal’s cuteness. They may not have thought through why they want or need a pet, who’s going to care for it, what it will cost long-term, what breed characteristics best fit their household, what training is needed, or how they will face tough times together. Until pet owners take their responsibilities more seriously, the number of strays and unwanted cats and dogs will only grow, says Stephanie Lauer, executive director of Noah’s Ark. She works with other agencies to help control cat overpopulation and to help people access the training, tips, food, medicine and other services they need for their pets. Brooke Pond, employed at Noah’s
Ark for about two years, went through some very tough times about three years ago, but that didn’t change her relationship with her 4-month-old puppy, Ellie, a pit bull terrier mix. Pond had been living with a friend. When things didn’t work out and she was given a 24-hour notice to leave, she packed up and lived out of her car for about three weeks, more often than not staying overnight with a relative or friend, if dogs were allowed. “Giving up Ellie was not an option for me,” says Pond. “It wasn’t her fault. She was a part of my family and we were going to face whatever we had to face – together.” After Pond found a place to live, she decided to dedicate her life to working at an animal shelter and applied for an opening at Noah’s Ark. It’s been an eye-opening experience.
“I’ve learned a lot about people and how much they love or don’t love animals. But what I do know is that if people want to keep a pet, they can. If you’re in a difficult situation and truly want to keep your pet, give me a call at Noah’s Ark and I will try to help you.” ❚
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Professional Cleaning Reduces Allergens By Peggy Werner
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fter a long winter, everyone looks forward to flinging open doors and windows to let the fresh air in ... but this also ushers in allergens. Paul McCann, owner of Stanley Steemer, 9958 N. Alpine Road, says that these culprits build up in the home year round and the only way to banish them is to have floors, grout and carpets professionally cleaned. “No matter how good you are at cleaning, there are microscopic particles of dust, pet dander, dead skin cells and pollen that build up in the home,” he says. Stanley Steemer’s equipment, people and products set his business apart, he says. He can remove about 94 percent of common household allergens from carpet, 96.5 percent from tile and grout and 96 percent from hardwood floors, while leaving behind no residue. This makes life safer for pets and people, he says.
All employees of Stanley Steemer undergo a criminal background check, are drug screened, thoroughly trained and certified, he says. Stanley Steemer has the Asthma and Allergy Friendly certification from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, which was created to scientifically test and identify consumer products that are more suitable for people with asthma and allergies. Chemicals used by Stanley Steemer meet the criteria for the Environmental Protection Agency’s “safer choice” category, which helps consumers find products that are safer for both human health and the environment. Professional equipment outperforms home machines by reaching higher temperatures with more pressure and vacuuming ability to get the best results, he says. Stanley Steemer makes its own
equipment and cleaning products in the U.S. McCann recommends people get all flooring cleaned every spring and winter. Depending on their lifestyles, number of children and pets, some may need to professionally clean more often. Contrary to what some people think, professional cleaning is not hard on flooring, he says. “We never get the carpet so wet that it goes through the backing. If you use the right products and technique, cleaning will not cause wear.” ❚
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May 22
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
RAM Community Day May 24, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Bring the family to the museum parking lot for music, food, art activities and more. YMCA & RAM, Rockford, (815) Rockford, IL 61101 1.800.521.0849 gorockford.com 968-2787, rockfordartmuseum.org. 9/10/07 2:07:37 PM
Roy & Patsy’s Roadshow May 25, 7-9 p.m. The music of Roy Orbison, Patsy Cline and other country legends, performed by Ron Holm, Jannie Nelson and Trinadora Rocks. Spring Creek United Church of Christ, (815) 877-2576, springcreekucc.org. Frogs & Friends May 30, 1-3 p.m. Put on old sneakers and explore the pond and creek for frogs and other aquatic life. Bring a change of clothes and shoes. Severson Dells Nature Center, (815) 335-2915, seversondells.com. Readings from the Rookery May 31, June 14 & 28, 9:30-1 a.m. Kids 5-9 and parents are introduced to nature books, then outside activities. Register online or at (815) 325-2915, seversondells.com. 'Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook' May 31, June 1-2, Fri.-Sat. 7 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. It’s been a rough day at kindergarten for Junie B. Jones. Mighty Richland Players, 203 W. High St., Orangeville, Ill. (815) 819-1310, mightyrichlandplayers.org. Michael Johnathon June 1, 7-9 p.m. Folksinger/songwriter Johnathan hosts the weekly “WoodSongs Old Time Radio Hour” on many PBS stations. Spring Creek United Church of Christ, Rockford, (815) 877-2576, springcreekucc.org. Annual Garden Fair at Klehm Arboretum June 1-2, Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. to 4 p.m. Enjoy live entertainment and 100 vendors selling flowers, antiques, art, food & drinks. Klehm Arboretum, 2715 S. Main St., (815) 9658146, klehm.org. BSJO: The Ultimate Tom Petty Experience June 1, 7:30 p.m. Southern Accents, a Tom Petty tribute band, joins with the Beloit Janesville Symphony Orchestra to celebrate Petty’s life and legacy. Coronado PAC, Rockford, (815) 968-0595, coronadopac.org. Bird Fun June 1, 8-10 a.m. Join Jack Armstrong for a
Enjoy the Annual Garden Fair at Klehm Arboretum on June 1 & 2.
peaceful morning of finding beautiful birds. Bring binoculars or borrow a pair. RSVP online or at (815) 335-2915, seversondells.com. Flag-lowering Reenactment June 7, 6-7 p.m. A ceremony by Company K that would have been performed at a fort or a garrison during the American Civil War. Walk through the first floor of the Lincoln-Tallman House and enjoy light refreshments. Rock County Historical Society, Janesville, (608) 756-4509, rchs.us. Olivia Dvorak June 8, 7-9 p.m. Dvorak’s style encompasses blues, fold, rock and Celtic. Spring Creek United Church of Christ, Rockford, (815) 8772576, springcreekucc.org. Who Once Lived at Ke-Chunk? June 8, Aug. 11 & Sept. 7, 1 p.m. Learn what we know about the once large Ke-Chunk settlement, also called Turtle Village, as well as its Ho-Chunk Nation inhabitants. Nature at the Confluence Learning Center, South Beloit, (815) 200-6910, natureattheconfluence.com. Walking Tour of Lake Geneva June 8 & 22, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Learn about Lake Geneva’s buildings as well as the colorful past of the downtown, Maple Park neighborhoods and Black Point Estate Riviera Dock, Lake Geneva. Tickets at (262) 248-1888, wisconhistory.org. 'West Side Story' June 12-15 & July 17-21, see website for times. Score by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Two young lovers find themselves caught between warring street gangs. Starlight Theatre, RVC, Rockford, (815) 921-2160, rockvalleycollege.edu. ❚
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WDL
Restaurant of the Week
Tavern on Clark: Great Food, Friendly Atmosphere By Peggy Werner
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rothers-in-law Sam Sabani and Dan Isai decided to create an eatery and bar with top-quality food and a great atmosphere, where business partners, couples, family and friends could gather for all occasions. The result is Tavern on Clark, 755 Clark Dr.. “We were very intentional in creating what we describe as the classic American tavern, with a fresh, new, clean look, where there’s something for everyone,” says Sabani. A full-service bar offers signature cocktails, an extensive wine list, about 40 bottled beers and eight domestic and imported drafts. Menu offerings include aged center-cut steaks and chops, fresh salads, flatbreads, appetizers, pasta and ribs. Lunch and dinner specials include a Friday fish fry and Saturday prime rib, as well as regular Ahi tuna, mahi mahi and
surf-and-turf deals. “We spent a lot of time researching what people wanted,” says Isai. “We offer quality you can’t find elsewhere.” All steaks and hamburgers are made from USDA-certified Black Angus beef, and all menu items are made-to-order from fresh produce, locally grown when possible. Signature dishes include a 10-ounce certified Black Angus beef burger and craft ale beer-battered sidewinder sea-salted French fries, served with a Wisconsin Cheddar beer sauce. Desserts include carrot cake, chocolate cake, New York cheesecake and more. The space is open and inviting, with plenty of natural light to showcase the quality décor of dark woods, stone walls, earth-toned granite countertops and por-
celain tile. Large booths seat six comfortably, and a private dining room, with a wall-mounted flat screen TV and a fireplace, seats 50 and can accommodate business meetings and presentations. Tavern on Clark opens daily at 11 a.m. for lunch. Dinner is served until 10 p.m. on weekdays, 11 p.m. on weekends. The bar is open later. ❚
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.
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. $-$$.
Backyard Grill & Bar Casual/American. 5390 Elevator Road, Roscoe, Ill., (815) 623-6677. 2nd St., Loves Park, Ill., (815) 6369430. LD M-Th 11am-midnight, F-Sat to 2am, Sun noon-10 p.m. $-SS.
Lino’s Italian/American. 5611 E. State St., Rkfd. (815) 397-2077. D M-Sat 4:30am-10pm; Sun. 4:30am-9 pm. $$.
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. $$ Dos Reales Mexican Restaurant Casual/Mexican. 5855 E. State St., (815) 227-4979. LD $-$$. Fresco at the Gardens. Casual/American Café. 318 Spring Creek Road, (815) 316-2256. BkL Daily 7am-3pm. $$ Giordano’s Casual/Italian. Stuffed pizza, salads, entrees, sandwiches, desserts. 33 Executive Parkway, Rockford, (815) 398-5700. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11 pm. 26
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Maciano’s Casual Italian. 6746 Broadcast Pkwy., Loves Park, (815) 633-7500; & 5801 Columbia Pkwy., Rkfd., (815) 227-5577. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11pm. $-$$. 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. $-$$. Prairie Street Brewhouse Upscale-Casual/American. 200 Prairie St., Rockford, (815) 277-9427. LD Sun-W 11am10pm, Th to midnight, F-Sat to 2am. $-$$. 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. $$ Taco Betty’s Casual/Mexican-American. 212 E. State St., Rkfd., (815) 977-5650. LD Daily 11am-1am. $$. ❚
May 22
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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., Freeport. 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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‘Chance Encounters’ Opens June 7 at RAM R
ockford Art Museum (RAM) will open “Chance Encounter: Julie Heffernan and Shelly Mosman” on Friday, June 7, with a free public opening from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at RAM, located inside the Riverfront Museum Park, 711 N. Main St. The exhibition will remain on view through Sept. 29. The paintings and photography by Julie Heffernan and Shelly Mosman use opulent beauty and gritty detail to tell visual stories that disrupt one-sided histories of female figures. Mosman’s recent projects include collaborating with Fashion Week Golden Age, 2017, by Minnesota to Shelly Mosman.
help celebrate youth and the beauty of aging. Heffernan is an Illinois native and a professor of art at Montclair State University in New Jersey, where she’s taught for more than 20 years. Both artists are represented in the RAM Permanent Collection. Chance Encounter is organized by RAM Curator Carrie Johnson. This exhibition and its related educational programming are sponsored in part by the Dean Alan Olson Foundation, Anne and David Boccignone and Women’s Art Board. It’s also partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency. Also on view will be lavish, one-ofa-kind pieces of furniture by Minneapolis designer Carter Averbeck of Omforme Design. Rockford Art Museum was founded in 1913 and exists to help make life in Rockford better for people of all ages
Self-Portrait with Trophies, 2018, by Julie Heffernan. Courtesy of Zolla/Lieberman Gallery, Chicago.
through a permanent art collection, frequent art exhibitions and lifelong art education. ❚
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