iving Sm mart a r t L ivi Weekly Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • Rockford Region/Beloit/Freeport 95¢ • May 10, 2017
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Right in Our Region
A Taste of Yesterday on RMTD Trolley Car
See Page 20
Local Mother’s Day Concert Tips for Buying a Car Get Steakhouse Flavor at Home What to Know About Windows Latest Treatments for Glaucoma
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Discover the health benefits of connecting with nature at this FREE community event
Bringing together wellness leaders and outdoor fun Saturday, May 20, 2017 12:00 - 3:00 pm Hononegah Forest Preserve #80 Hononegah Road, Rockton, IL 61072 At the Get Outside, Get Healthy! kick-off event you’ll learn about the physical and mental health benefits of various outdoor activities. Enjoy exhibits, information and demonstrations on Hiking, Paddling, Golf, Nature Study, Yoga, Tai Chi, Bird Watching, Fishing and more! Pick up your FREE Get Outside, Get Healthy! passport to dozens of FREE activities in the forest preserves. Get your passport stamped and qualify for the grand prize! Learn more at winnebagoforest.org
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In This Issue
Right in Our Region ........................Cover & p. 20 Ride the RMTD Trolley at City Market Your Outing ........................................................9 Mother’s Day Gala Your Home .................................................. ..... 11 Know Your Window Terms Inspiration & Worship ......................................12 500 Years Ago ... the Protestant Reformation Your Kitchen .....................................................15 Steakhouse Cooking at Home Your Outdoor Living .........................................19 Spring Planting Tips Your Health ............................................. .......... 25 Treating Glaucoma Your Fun ................................................... ......... 27
Restaurant of the Week ................................... 28 GreenFire Bakery Your Money .............................................. ......... 33 What to Know About Buying a Car
Smart L iving Weekly ™
Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes
Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Managing Editor Janine Pumilia Assistant Managing Editor Lindsey Gapen Deputy Editor Jermaine Pigee Graphics Director Blake Nunes Graphic Designer Samantha Ryan Contributing Writers Peggy Werner General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes Advertising Sales Representatives Brian Hughes, Jeremy Jones, Bob Ulmer, Nita Lasky Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes 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 2017 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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Your ‘True North’
W
hen it comes to smart living, in the broadest sense of the term, there may be no better advice than to get our priorities straight and keep them that way. Without a sense of our own “true north,” we may waste a lot of time on things that don’t much matter to us in the end. What matters most to you? It’s likely that things like faith, family, friendships, jobs, community and hobbies figure into your priorities, but in what order? Do you have an all-consuming passion for travel or charitable work or gardening or a particular sport? Do you love nothing more than to spend every free minute with family members? Is your job the thing that motivates you to get out of the bed in the morning because you can’t wait to get started? Sometimes our lives become more about avoiding the things we don’t like than embracing what we love. That’s never a good recipe for smart living and should be a wakeup call to change what we can. These are things I ponder during leisurely spring walks through our glorious local parks and neighborhoods. There’s just something about fresh air that helps me to think more clearly as I’m taking stock of my life and how it aligns with my true north. Life has a way of sweeping us along its natural currents. Sometimes that’s just fine! But if you’re feeling you got swept into a rocky crevice or a stagnant pond, it may be time to take back the wheel and chart your own destiny. In this issue, we offer tips for navigating some very practical matters of life, like car buying, spring planting, eye care and window purchasing. After all, the more efficient we are about handling everyday matters, the more time and money we can devote to the things that fuel that fire in our belly. Take time to sniff those lilacs and make your week a great one! ❚ Janine Pumilia Managing Editor
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Mother’s Day Gala at Nordlof Center on Saturday
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n Saturday, May 13, “A Mother’s Day Gala with the Stars” will be hosted by the Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main St., Rockford. Joe Irving, a soul singer with Rockford roots, will headline the show. Irving traveled the U.S. and Europe for many years, returning to Rockford in 2012. His recording career began with Stax and ABC Dunhill sessions, and he subsequently recorded at Rockford’s Vincent Records, owned by Rockford’s legendary Vince (“The Tailor”) Chiarelli. Irving’s performance highlights include regular billings with Wilson Pickett. He’s enjoying a resurgence in popularity, thanks in part to the release of several new songs. A European record release and tour are in the works. Irving’s accompanists, the Flames of Fire band, are seasoned professionals
Trinadora Rocks
who’ve worked with artists like Natalie Cole, Stevie Wonder and Ronnie Laws. The musical lineup also includes Soul Review and Trinadora Rocks – two of the Stateline’s most sought-after groups. Trinadora Rocks is known for channeling the music of Patsy Cline and Roy Orbison
with uncanny fidelity. It recorded on the seminal Mountain Railroad Records label that helped launch the careers of internationally celebrated songwriter Greg Brown and Nirvana producer Butch Vig. Soul Review is on the vanguard of a new generation of funkR&B-jazz artists that both respects the old ways and forges into new sounds. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the concert begins at 7 p.m. Refreshments will be available. Advanced tickets are available for $12 at trinadora.com/events or $15 at the door. Phone (815) 979-1949 or email trinadoramusic@gmail.com for details. ❚
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Understand Window Terms Before You Buy By Janine Pumilia, managing editor
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art of smart living is doing basic homework before you do a major project like window replacement. Two windows that look similar may be very different in quality. Better-quality windows save you money in the long run by reducing energy costs to heat and cool your home. If you’re confused about the terms used to describe window efficiency, you’re not alone. Here, Window World of Rockford owner Scott Williamson explains terms you may encounter when you’re “window shopping.” Learn more during the April 29 grand opening of the newly expanded Window World Showroom at 6010 Forest Hills Road, Loves Park. R-Value: “This is a measurement that refers to the amount of heat lost through a window’s glass panes,” Wil-
liamson explains. “A higher R-value means higher efficiency and an R-value rating of 3 is very good.” U-Factor or U-Value: “This refers to the level of heat a window loses – how well it insulates,” he says. The lower the U-factor, the greater a window’s resistance to heat flow and the better its insulating properties. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends a U-Value of 0.25 or less for superior energy performance. Low-E: A Low-emissive window redirects heated air back into your home. “A very thin metallic coating applied to the pane traps heat, reducing the burden of your furnace,” Williamson explains. “This is the newest improvement to energy-efficient windows and complements good U and R values. It also keeps an air-conditioned home cooler in summertime.”
UV Factor: UV rays from the sun can bleach out your carpet and furniture. “A window with high ultra-violate blockage is recommended,” says Williamson. Williamson worked 10 years in the window replacement industry before he and wife Jen established the Window World of Rockford franchise in 2005. The company serves residential customers in the Illinois counties of Winnebago, Boone, Stephenson, McHenry, DeKalb and LaSalle. Learn more at windowworldofrockford.com. ❚
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500 Years Ago T
his year marks a big milestone in Christian history. It was in 1517 that Roman Catholic monk and Bible professor Martin Luther presented 95 theses, or ideas, to the Wittenberg Castle church in Germany.
Luther advanced a belief that we’re saved by God’s divine grace, not by our own good works. While we take this concept for granted today, things were very different in Luther’s time, when corrupt church leaders sold “indulgences” to their mostly poverty-stricken and illiterate parishioners. The common man believed indulgences were an opportunity to buy God’s forgiveness and reduce time they and their loved ones would spend in Purgatory – supposedly a place of suffering people enter after death, before attaining enough purity to enter Heaven. Grace is taught in scripture and Purgatory is not, but the illiterate didn’t know this. The propaganda vehicle of the day – huge colorful murals painted on church walls – often depicted scary pictures of humans suffering in Purgatory. Luther’s bold stance earned him ex-communication from the church and the wrath of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, who ordered Luther’s writings to be burned. But it did not earn Luther a death sentence, as was the case for many martyrs before and after him. Why? Some historians believe it’s because Charles V couldn’t afford to alienate the Luther-loving German people and princes needed to defend Vienna against Ottoman Empire invasion. The term “Protestant” is rooted in “protest;” the princes protested against mandatory Roman Catholicism as their state religion. Luther spent the next 10 years translating scripture into German. A newfound interest in theology, coupled with Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press in the mid-1450s, gave rise to literacy beyond the small pool of elites who possessed it during the Dark Ages. Luther married a former nun and had five children. Before he died in 1546, he became an outspoken anti-Semite and a defender of polygamy, views we find repugnant today. He also proclaimed the pope to be the Antichrist. To learn more, TV travel expert/author Rick Steves has produced “Luther and the Reformation,” an excellent 60-minute program filmed in locations where European reformation leaders forever changed our religious and political landscape 500 years ago. -- Janine Pumilia 12
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Bring the Steakhouse Feel Home
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ring the delicious tastes of a traditional steakhouse to your own dining room with simple steps. Set the table Rather than plating food with any old dishware, break out your nicest dishes and set the table the way a restaurant would. Remember: forks on the left, knives on the right. Pull out the linen napkins for an added upscale feel. Change the mood Most fancy steakhouses keep the lights dimmed low, so find creative ways to mimic that ambiance at home. If you don’t have a dimmer switch, invest in a smart bulb that lets you easily convert a standard fixture into a custom light in minutes. Or skip the overhead lighting altogether and instead dine by lamp or candlelight. Also, try turning on your group’s favorite music to change up the audible impression of the night. Dress the part
Another way to change the atmosphere is to ask friends and family who attend to dress in more formal clothing. Start with soups Much like in a traditional steakhouse, please your guests’ palates at the start of the meal with a warm soup. Idahoan Premium Steakhouse Potato Soups – which bring together real Idaho red potatoes, flavorful spices and rich cheeses in four varieties – provide a creamy taste in every spoonful, perfect for giving your “customers” a restaurant experience from the comfort of home. Main menu After everyone has their fill of a creamy pre-meal soup, pile their plates with a savory meat and side dishes. A popular combination of a home-cooked steak with mashed potatoes and asparagus can easily do the trick.
Decadent dessert Be sure everyone leaves a little bit of room after the hearty meal to top it all off with something simple and sweet. With the evening winding down by this point, a scoop of cool, creamy ice cream should cap off the meal perfectly. For more delicious ideas for creating the delicious, ideal dinner at home, visit Idahoan.com. ❚ Source: Family Features Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Beaver Creek L
19619 LeRoy Center Road, Capron, Ill., (815) 569-2427
ocated in rural Boone County, this 9-hole golf course offers a rewarding yet effectively challenging experience. With four sets of tees, golfers may choose a yardage set ranging from 2,300 to 3,100 yards. The winding Beaver Creek creates obstacles on seven of the nine holes. Beaver Creek’s signature hole is No. 8, a par-five beast with an initial uphill drive, a drastic 90-degree dogleg left about 400 yards out, and a final large green that’s guarded by a deep pot bunker on one side and a sand bunker on the other. Beaver Creek specializes in birthday, graduation, reunion, retirement and baby/bridal shower events, and can accommodate for many other occasions. Call (815) 569-2427 or visit beavercreekgolfil.com to learn more.
Summer Weekend Rates
• 9-holes, walking $12, with cart, $20 • 18-holes, walking $17, with cart $27 • Every day after 4 p.m., $18 (includes cart)
Summer Weekday Rates
• 9-holes, walking $10, with cart, $18 (Wed. with cart $12) • 18-holes, walking $15, with cart, $25 • Every day after 4 p.m., $20 (includes cart)
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It’s Nearly Time for Springtime Planting By Peggy Werner
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lthough spring is in the air, we aren’t totally out of the woods when it comes to planting. “Just remember we can still get those late frosts, so if you plant any of your vegetables or annuals, remember to cover them if they forecast frost that evening,” says Owner Jamie Swanson of S&H Nursery and Landscaping, 5956 McCurry Road in Roscoe. “A good rule of thumb is to plant your garden around Mother’s day weekend,” she adds, this year May 14. There are many variables when planting a garden, depending on what you’re planting and where, yet some general rules apply. “The object of watering any new shrub, tree or perennial is to find that ‘happy medium,’ neither too wet, nor too dry. Be aware that both too little water
and too much water can be detrimental,” she says. Mulch around trees and plants helps hold in moisture, reduces weeds and gives a finished look. It’s a good idea to rake through mulch once in awhile to aerate it and prevent mold growth. Don’t heap mulch too close to the base of trees and other plants; leave room for air to circulate. S&H specializes in natural hardwood mulch and is giving away select hanging baskets, while supplies last, when customers buy five or more yards of mulch during the Mother’s Day weekend, May 13 & 14. S & H Nursery and Landscaping is a locally owned family operation that opened in 1981 as a lawn care business and grew into a full-service nursery by 2012. Swanson took over the nursery
business from her father, Ron, in 2007, and offers something new every year. S & H offers a variety of services, such as mulch, hardscape and fire pit installation, and has an experienced landscape designer on hand to help with planning. Do-it-yourselfers will find a wide range of materials including mulch, stone, pavers, topsoil, retaining wall blocks, trees and other plants. ❚
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R O R
RMTD Trolley Offers Taste of Yesterday O
ne century ago, before the rise of automobiles, how did most local residents move from point to point within Rockford and its neighboring communities? If you guessed “by riding the interurban rail system,” you are correct. The clang of streetcar bells was a common sound between the 1890s and 1930s, when local rail companies like the Rockford & Interurban were in their heyday. Today, we can still get a taste of what that ride was like – at no charge – by boarding the 1900s-style open-air trolley operated by Rockford Mass Transit District (RMTD). “Our trolley is styled after turn-ofthe-century streetcars that ran throughout Rockford,” says Lisa Brown, marketing manager for RMTD. “The clang of its bell would have been a very familiar sound to
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people living here 100 years ago.” While most of the early streetcars ran on rail tracks and were powered by electricity, the RMTD trolley is a fully functional road vehicle. “This means we can run it on any route we choose,” says Brown. This year the trolley runs late spring through fall on Friday nights during City Market, May 19 to Sept. 29. “We run a loop through the downtown area, which makes it easy for people at City Market to park only once but hop on and off the trolley at various points,” Brown says. “They may want to visit the Riverfront Museum campus, for example, or visit a cool downtown restaurant they pass along the way.” This year the trolley also will stop at Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens during its City Market runs, where the Rockford
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Photos by Samantha Ryan
By Janine Pumilia, managing editor
Park District will present the “Bruce Munro: LIGHT” exhibit June 3 to Nov. 5. The British artist will use the garden as a backdrop for eight of his large sculptures. “Riding the trolley helps visitors unfamiliar with Rockford to get a better awareness of the city. And it just adds to the ambiance of everything that Rockford has to offer,” says Brown. “It also simplifies the parking situation for people.” The trolley has been a treasured member of RMTD’s fleet for 26 years.
R O R “During the early 1990s, public transportation was enjoying a renaissance,” Brown explains. “It was popular for communities to order specialty vehicles to raise awareness for it.” Rockford acquired its custom trolley in 1991 from Chance Coach Inc. The trolley is framed in teakwood and has wooden seats and optional plexi-glass windows; it’s also wheelchair accessible. “It’s still in great shape because we run it only seasonally and keep it out of harsh winter weather, when there are more chemicals on the streets,” says Brown. Sometimes people confuse the RMTD trolley with a trolley that Rockford Park District operates on tracks, named Trolley Car 36. It runs up and down railroad tracks parallel to the Rock River and offers narrated local history information for a $5 (adult) fare. The RMTD trolley runs during City Market hours, from 3:30 to 11:30 p.m. on Fridays, May 19 to Sept. 29. The trolley
59¢12oz
Bar-S Franks
has been part of the popular outdoor market since it began in 2010 with a handful of vendors and 1,000 visitors. Today, City Market hosts 70-plus vendors and draws 100,000 people per season. Most City Market activities take place along Water Street. Along with hot food and treats, visitors may purchase locally sourced vegetables, fruits, eggs, meats, cheeses and more. Live performances are staged by artists from within a 150-mile radius and locally brewed beer is sold under the Pavilion structure. Kids’ activities and special demonstrations are also part of the fun. Along with keeping its City Market schedule, the RMTD trolley is used during special events like sports tournaments. It also ferries visiting dignitaries around the city. “In part, the RMTD trolley is about promoting the City of Rockford, giving a nod to our local history and providing a special experience,” says Brown. “Providing safe, efficient, affordable,
dependable and accessible transportation to the residents of Rockford is RMTD’s reason for existence. The trolley is one special part of that mission.” RMTD will soon unveil a new website with a trip-planning feature. It’s also working on a plan to renovate its downtown facility. The district operates 17 bus routes Monday through Saturday, five routes on Sundays, and six night routes. It makes stops in Rockford, Loves Park, Machesney Park, Belvidere and at Cherryvale Mall. RMTD also offers Paratransit service to people with disabilities who can’t ride the fixed bus routes. “We like to remind people that RMTD buses have bike racks,” says Brown. “You can ride a bike to your stop, load the bike on the bus and take it with you.” Learn more about RMTD, its trolley and bus route schedules, by going to rmtd.org or by calling (815) 961-9000. ❚
2/$6.50$3.49ea Mikey’s Frozen Chicken Breasts 2.5lb Bags
2/$6 $3.19ea
Chippewa Water 35ct 500ml Bottles
$4.992.5lb 89¢24oz 89¢12oz $1.2912oz Sheboygan Brats
Del Monte Ketchup
Koops’ Premium Mustard
Dutch Farms American Singles
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New Treatment for Glaucoma Available By Lindsey Gapen, assistant managing editor
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n May 2, Dr. Edward Yavitz became the first stateline surgeon to perform a new procedure to treat glaucoma. Yavitz, an ophthalmologist, conducted the painless 10-minute procedure called “canaloplasty” at Yavitz Eye Center, 4105 N. Perryville Road. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, glaucoma is an eye disease that usually results from fluid building up in the front part of your eye. The extra fluid increases the pressure in your eye, causing damage to the optic nerve. If untreated, this damage can lead to blindness. In fact, glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness for people over age 60. By performing canaloplasty, Yavitz restores the eye’s natural drainage system by threading a tiny tube through blocked channels and clearing them.
“The procedure is similar to angioplasty – where you treat a heart that’s blocked,” Yavitz says. “Basically, all the fluid in the eye drains out through a circular channel.” With this procedure, patients are often able to stop taking one or more of their expensive glaucoma eye drops – the usual method for controlling glaucoma. Canaloplasty adds to the broad repertoire of glaucoma procedures Yavitz offers, including iStents, ECP laser, trabeculectomy and shunts. Yavitz urges people to not take their eye health for granted. Glaucoma is an especially stealthy disease, as there’s no way to notice that your eye pressure is above normal. “Your brain fills in the holes in your vision,” Yavitz says. “You may have vision like Swiss cheese, but your brain fills
in the blank spots so it appears that your visual field is full, even though it isn’t.” The only way to be sure that you don’t have glaucoma is to have a routine annual checkup with an eye care professional, Yavitz says. Blindness can be prevented with early treatment. ❚
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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
102 N. Main St.
JASON SNORECK 630-239-8545
NWQ_fall.indd 1
Attractions & Events
Rockford's Best Dish May 10, 5:30-8 p.m. Enjoy a fun-filled evening with great food, a silent auction and live entertainment hosted by local celebrities. Giovanni's Rockford, IL 61101 1.800.521.0849 gorockford.com Restaurant & Conference Center, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford, (815) 963-1609. 9/10/07 2:07:37 PM
Tipsy History: Wine Making May 10, 6:30-8:30 p.m. A historic interpreter demonstrates wine making in the 19th century. Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford, (815) 397-9112, midwayvillage.com.
215295
10006 W 190TH PLACE MOKENA
© 2017 Allstate Insurance Co.
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Tourism
Fabrication Exhibition May 12-July 8, Tue.-Fri. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat. noon-5 p.m. The artists in this exhibition assemble an array of objects fabricating imagined and unexpected scenes. Initially the works’ combination of elements might appear contradictory or even illogical, which challenges the viewer to make sense of the unfamiliar by placing themselves within the scenes. Freeport Art Museum, 121 N. Harlem Ave., Freeport, (815) 235-9755, freeportartmuseum.com. Beloit Artwalk May 12, 5-9 p.m. Celebrate the arts in Beloit with an evening of fun as downtown businesses transform into galleries for artists and craftspeople to display and sell their work. Stay after hours for drink specials, live music and hors d’oeuvres at select downtown restaurants. Downtown Beloit, (608) 365-0150, downtownbeloit.com. Thumbalina the Musical May 12-14, Fri. 7 p.m., Sat. 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Sun. p.m. Enter a steampunk world where Thumbalina finds her voice and her heart song in a loud and angry world. Rockford University, Maddox Theater, 5050 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 871-6422, facebook.com/gatewayperformingartsstudio. Grant Maloy Smith at the JustGoods Listening Room May 12, 7 p.m. Award-winning American Roots singer/songwriter Grant Maloy Smith brings his music to Rockford. JustGoods Fair Trade Store, 201 7th St., Rockford, (401) 524-5681, justgoods. info/justgoods-listening-room/. AE: “Whistling in the Dark – A Sherlock Holmes Adventure” May 12-28, Th. 7:30 p.m., Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 4 &
Enjoy great food at Rockford's Best Dish competition on May 10 at Giovanni's.
8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Dr. Watson relates the tale of Holmes’ most baffling case in this comedy/ mystery about the world’s greatest consulting detective. Artists’ Ensemble Theater, Rockford University, Clark Arts Center, 5050 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 394-5004, artistsensemble.org. Mom & Me Tea May 13, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Don your afternoon tea attire for an intimate afternoon tea party with sweet treats, tea and juice. Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, 1354 N. 2nd St., Rockford, (815) 987-8858, nicholasconservatory.com. Paranormal Investigation May 13, 7-11:00 p.m. Haunted Rockford partners with renowned Ghost Investigator Dale Kaczmrek and his Ghost Research Society to investigate the paranormal. Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens, 411 Kent St., Rockford, (815) 871-4239, tinkercottage.com. North End City Market May 13-Oct. 28, Sat. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Eat, shop and socialize at a market full of fresh local products and food. North End City Market, Intersection of North Main and Auburn Streets, Rockford, (815) 977-5124, rockfordcitymarket.com. Broadway at the Coronado: “Rent” May 18, 7:30 p.m. This Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning original rock musical forever changed the landscape of American theater. The plot follows an unforgettable year in the lives of seven artists struggling to follow their dreams without selling out. Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., (815) 968-0595, coronadopac.org. ❚
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WDL
Dreamy Desserts at GreenFire Bakery
By Peggy Werner
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astry Chef Nancy Bedows of GreenFire Restaurant, Bakery and Bar, 6795 E. Riverside Blvd., is the master mind behind creations that are as much a feast for the eyes as for the palate. The display case is filled with cakes, cupcakes, pies, cheesecakes, muffins, cookies and more that reveal her creativity, artistry and dedication to her work. She credits two people for who she is today; her mom, Delores, and her former boss, the late Philippe Forcioli, who owned Café Patou and later opened GreenFire. “My mom could just pull things out of the cupboard and make something out of nothing. I just can’t say enough about her. Philippe taught me to never give up and to experiment with flavors,” she says. Today, she’s always thinking about what to bake next with the freshest of ingredients and seasonal items.
“I start out with one flavor, like a raspberry, and then I start thinking about what other flavors will go with it,” she says. The results are amazing. To name just a few, Cookies and Cream Cake is a chocolate layer cake with mascarpone cookie filling; Blackberry Lemon Cake is vanilla cake made with fresh blackberries, lemon custard and blackberry Italian meringue butter cream; Silky Bliss is a chocolate chip cookie cup filled with a Belgium chocolate mousse; and Peanut Butter Bomb is a chocolate cake with a salted caramel center topped with peanut butter mousse and nuts. Then, there’s Prickly Pear Wonder Cake, made with a vanilla cake soaked in prickly pear liqueur and layered with
fresh mixed berries. This recipe took three years to perfect, she says, and was inspired by her sister, who has a gluten allergy and is vegetarian. GreenFire Owner Shendet Ismajlaj says the prickly pear cake is popular with everyone, regardless of dietary restrictions. “When she makes it, it’s gone. Nancy is a hard worker and I’m lucky to have her on my staff. Our desserts are about flavor and texture and are not made with a lot of sugar,” he says. ❚ ❚
Top Picks for Local Restaurants 9 East Coffee E Casual/Coffeehouse. Specialty coffees, pas- GreenFire EUpscale-Casual/American contemporary. Seatries, breakfast, lunch. 9 E. Stephenson St., Freeport, (815) sonal cuisine; local-sourced ingredients; gourmet market; live entertainment. 6795 E. Riverside Blvd., Rockford, (815) 233-7300. BkL M-F 7am-3pm, Sat to 2pm. $ 316-3473. BkLD M-F 11am, Sat-Sun 8am. Bar open late. $$$. Arturo’s Mexican Restaurant E Casual/Authentic Mexican. 107 W. Main St., Poplar Grove, Ill., (815) 765-1144. LD M 11am-8pm, Local Dough Cafe E Restaurant/cafe. Baked goods, breakfast, lunch, dinner, beer, wine. 202 W. Main St., Rockton, T-Th to 9pm, F to 10pm, Sun noon-8pm. $. (815) 957-0584. BkLD W-Sun 7am-6pm. $. Bravo Pizza E Italian/American. 376 Prairie Hill Road, South Beloit, Ill., (815) 624-7900. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11pm. $. Hearthrock Cafe E Restaurant/cafe. Baked goods, coffee, breakfast, lunch. Inside Benson Stone Co., 1100 11th St., Cannova’s Italian Cuisine E Casual. 1101 W. Empire St., FreeRockford, (815) 227-2000. BkL M-F 7:30 am-3 pm.; Sat. 8 port, (815) 233-0032. D T-Th, Sun 5-9pm; F-Sat 10pm. $-$$. am-3 pm. $-$$. Costa’s Ristorante E Upscale-Casual/Italian. 133 Blackhawk Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint E Fine Dining. Ironworks Dr., Byron, Ill., (815) 234-4707. LD Daily 4pm. $-$$. Hotel, 500 Pleasant St., Beloit, (608) 313-0700. D Sun-Th Dickey’s Barbecue Pit ECasual/BBQ. 845 S. Perryville Road, 4:30-9pm, Fri-Sat to 10pm. $$. Rockford, (815) 599-1110. LD Daily 11am-9pm. $-$$. Prairie Street Brewhouse E Upscale-Casual/American. 200 Dos Reales Mexican Restaurant E Casual/Mexican. Authen- Prairie St., Rockford, (815) 277-9427. LD Sun-W 11am-10pm, tic dishes, lunch menu. 5855 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 227- Th to midnight, F-Sat to 2am. $-$$. 4979. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 10:30pm. $-$$. Taco Betty’s E Casual/Mexican-American. 212 E. State St., Fresco at the Gardens. E Casual/American Café. Fresh, lo- Rockford, (815) 977-5650. LD Daily 11am-1am $$. cal-sourced ingredients. 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, Thrive Café E Casual/Cafe. Salads, wraps, sandwiches, (815) 316-2256. BkL Daily 7am-3pm. $$ smoothies, cold-pressed juices. Inside Peak Fitness, 4401 Peak Giordano’s E Casual/Italian. Stuffed pizza, salads, entrees, Drive, Loves Park, Ill. BkLD M-F 6am-8pm, Sat 8am-2pm. sandwiches, desserts. 33 Executive Parkwy., Rockford, (815) Vito’s Ristorante E Casual/Fine Dining. Carry-out, steak 398-5700. LD Sun-Th 11 am-10 pm, F-Sat to 11 pm. & seafood, Italian specialties, pizza. 4866 Bluestem Road, Roscoe, Ill. (815) 312-5080. D Mon-Sat 4 p.m.-close. $-$$. ❚ 28
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May 10
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In the Spotlight Bravo Pizza
W
ith more than 40 years in the restaurant business, Joe Ocello knows how to create an authentic dining experience. Since opening the first Bravo Pizza & Italian Restaurant location in 2001 with wife Francesca, the couple has been refining its classic Italian fare. Most items are made from scratch, ensuring a home-made meal with fresh ingredients. The Italian beef, served au jus or with tomato meat sauce, was named Best in the Stateline by MyStateline.com in 2013. Top sellers include Italian meatball sandwiches, fettucine Alfredo and fish specials. “We make it all ourselves. Each meatball is about a quarter pound apiece, so they’re huge,” says Ocello. Bravo has locations in South Beloit and Poplar Grove. Both offer a full-service bar, catering, carry-out and delivery services. Learn more at Bravopizzarestaurant.com. ❚
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Be Prepared When Seeking New Wheels T
he average cost of a new vehicle today is around $30,000. Whether you desire a shiny, brand new car or are content with a reliable used ride, you want to get the most for your money. The actual process of researching, financing and buying a car doesn’t need to be scary or intimidating. Careful research and planning will help you get the right vehicle at the best financial deal for you. Getting pre-approved for the loan gives you purchasing power. “This way you know how much you can spend, plus what your monthly payment and interest rate will be,” says Lorna Cote, marketing director at Cornerstone Credit Union. “Armed with cash and confidence, you can start your search.” There are many factors to consider when purchasing a vehicle. Here are a few: • Quality, Reliability – check consumer-
reports.org • New, used or certified “preowned” – affordability, depreciation (Edmunds.com) • Highway vs. city driving – fuel economy, hybrid (iihs. org) • Size and safety requirements – family, travel plans • How long you plan to keep it - lease or buy? • Your budget – operating, maintaining, insuring, repairing • Trade-in Value and Selling Price – (NADA.com) Refinancing a current vehicle loan can also offer money-saving rewards. You might reduce your debt and increase your cash flow at the same time. “If rates are lower now than when you borrowed for your car, refinancing can make sense as long as you are not too
far into the loan term,” says Cote. Factors that can affect your ability to refinance include age and condition of the car, your credit score, other debt and employment status. Your local financial institution is a great place to start whether you’re buying or looking to refinance. It will help steer you in the right direction to save money. ❚ Source: Credit Union National Association Inc.
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