Smart Living Weekly - September 7, 2016

iving Smart L ivi Weekly Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • Rockford Region/Beloit 95¢ • September 7, 2016

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Right in Our Region

It’s Time for Greek Fest!

See Page 20

Lorikeets Come to Nicholas Conservatory How to Choose a Trustworthy Contractor Add Protein to Your Morning Routine Are Your Gutters Doing Their Job? All About Eye Floaters Choose the Right Dog Breed for You

Best of Life Information for Our Region’s Residents & Visitors Proudly Serving the Needs of 326,000 Neighbors - For Your Home, Health & Fun!

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In This Issue

Right in Our Region ........................Cover & p. 22 Greek Fest Your Outings ..................................................9,17 Farmers Markets, Lorikeets at Conservatory Your Home .................................................. ..... 11 Are Your Gutters Doing Their Job? Inspiration & Worship ......................................12 The Joy of Honesty Your Kitchen .....................................................15 Add More Protein to Your Morning Your Health ............................................. .......... 25 All About Eye Floaters Your Fun ................................................... ......... 27

Your Dining ....................................................... 28 GreenFire Outdoor Living .......................................... .......29 Find an Honest Contractor Your Pet ............................................................ 33 Choose the Right Dog Breed for You

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 Account Executives Brian Hughes, Jeremy Jones 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 2016 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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Sept 7 To advertise call 815-316-2300

It’s All Greek to Me

When my mom taught Freshman English at Harlem High, one of her favorite units was Greek Mythology. I was in 9th grade at the time and just didn’t see its relevance to our lives. I told her so and boy did I get an earful.

“Without Ancient Greece we wouldn’t have Apollo moon missions or Athena sewing machines or Nike tennis shoes,” she’d lecture me. “There would be no ‘The Poseidon Adventure’ or Hermes the messenger god symbol for FTD florists.”

“So what?” I retorted. “All of those things would exist, just by different names.”

But I was so wrong.

In my college years, I finally understood that Western Civilization itself traces back to Ancient Greece, the Roman Empire and Christianity. Each still influences us today, whether or not we’re Greek, Italian or Christian. Not only names, but the very fabric of how we think – politics, medicine, history, drama, math, philosophy, sports (Olympics anyone? Mt. Olympus was home to the Greek gods) developed in Ancient Greece, which flourished long before Rome ascended and adopted much of Greece’s culture about 150 years before Christ. Christianity became the official state religion around 380 A.D. We have a great chance to celebrate this proud culture with our Greek-American friends this weekend at Greek Fest. And the food is reason enough to celebrate! Any culture that could dream up that delectable flaming cheese called “saganaki” has my loyal affection. There’ll be grilled pork kabobs, Athenian chicken, loukaniko (Greek sausage), gyros, spanakopita (phyllo dough triangles stuffed with cheese and spinach – no one makes you want to eat your spinach like the Greeks do) and sweet treats like loukoumades – fried dough drizzled with honey and sprinkled with cinnamon, powdered sugar and walnuts.

The lively music, dancing and Agora – a Greek-inspired marketplace – are a lot of fun, too. Opa! And see you there! ❚ Janine Pumilia Managing Editor

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Buy it Fresh at Local Farmers Markets H

ere’s a glance at the ongoing farmers markets in our region. All feature fresh produce and other treats.

Saturdays

Beloit Farmers Market Saturdays, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., downtown. Now in its fourth decade, this is one of the oldest markets in our region, with more than 85 vendors. VisitBeloit.com North End City Market Saturdays, 9 a.m.- 1 p.m., southeast corner of Main and Auburn streets, Rockford, through Oct. 29. Live music, fresh-cooked food and socializing. Rockfordcitymarket.com/northend

Pecatonica Farmers Market Saturdays, 10 a.m.-noon, through Oct. 29, Main and Fourth Streets. Gorockford.com

Wednesdays/Thursdays

Edgebrook Farmers Market Wednesdays and Thursdays. Wed. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Oct. 26 and Thurs. 3-6:30 p.m., with a different set of vendors than Wednesday, through Sept. 15. The Wednesday market is now in its 25th year. Live music on Thursdays. Edgebrookshops.com Rockton River Market Wednesdays, 4-8 p.m. through Aug. 31, along the Rock River on East Harwick Street, in Old Settlers Park. RocktonRiverMarket.com

Freeport Farmers Market Saturdays, 7-11 a.m., CVS parking lot, 721 W. South St., Freeport, through Oct. 1. Stephenson-county-il.org

Highland Farmers Market Wednesdays, 3-6 p.m. through Oct. 5, Parkling Lot C of Highland Community College, 2998 W. Pearl City Road, Freeport

Belvidere Farmers Market & Crafts Saturdays, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. through Oct. 22, parking lot of Dodge Lanes, 1940 State St., belviderefarmersmarket.com

Pecatonica Farmers Market Wednesdays, 4-7 p.m. through Oct. 26, at Main and Fourth Streets. Gorockford.com

GPS Faith Community Farmers Market Thursdays, 3-7 p.m. through Sept. 22, 10714 N. Second St., Machesney Park, Ill. (north and west of Route 173.) Live music 5-7 p.m., gorockford.com

Fridays

Rockford City Market Fridays, 3:30-8:30 p.m. on Water Street near State Street through Sept. 30. (Closing time changes to 7:30 p.m. after Labor Day.) Live music, fresh-cooked food and locally brewed beer. Rockfordcitymarket.com.

Winnebago Farmers Market Fridays, 3:30-7 p.m., through Oct. 28, Main and Benton streets. GoRockford.com ❚

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Are Your Gutters Doing Their Job?

By Peggy Werner

O

ne of the best ways to protect your home from top to bottom is to make sure your gutters are in good shape and doing their job.

Worn out or clogged gutters can cause problems throughout a house, says Greg Green, president of Midwest Seamless Gutters and Siding, 929 S. Alpine Road, Suite 201, in Rockford.

“The purpose of gutters is to direct rain water away from a house. If water backs up, it can go into the walls and foundation and cause a lot of damage,” he says.

One inch of rain translates to 1,900 gallons of water rolling off a roof and if the gutters are not up to the task of redirecting the water, damage is inevitable.

Visual clues that your gutters need attention include rain that’s splashing up or over the gutters, rather than going down the downspouts; concrete that’s pitted because of continual dripping; water

streaking down the sides of a house; gutters pulling away from the roof or sagging due to the heaviness of trapped water or the buildup of ice and snow; peeling paint, mold, or rotted wood underneath the gutters and siding; and eroding earth below gutters.

Cleaning out gutters to keep them free of leaves, branches and other debris is not only a difficult job to keep up with, it can also be a dangerous job if being on the roof leads to accidents and falls.

“Clogged gutters are also a prime breeding ground for mosquitoes and a perfect nesting spot for other insects and birds,” he says.

Midwest Seamless Gutters and Siding cleans, repairs and installs gut-

ters. It also offers the Leafx® brand patented clog-free system with a written lifetime guarantee backed by both the manufacturer and the distributor. The leaf protection system is available in all price ranges, in dozens of colors, and installed by certified specialists.

For more information or a free estimate, contact the company at (815) 7088113. ❚

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The Joy of Honesty

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onest people do the right thing, even when that thing means personal sacrifice. But cheaters rationalize selfish behaviors. They tell themselves it’s OK to cheat on taxes; to forge school papers or exams; to shortchange customers; to lie to the boss ...

While “Be Honest” isn’t one of the 10 commandments, it’s at the core of most.

Stealing, bearing false witness and committing adultery, for example, all involve dishonesty … and God doesn’t like it. Habitual liars rob themselves of true peace and other spiritual riches that come with “growing up in Christ.” (Ephesians 4:15) More importantly, they grieve the heart of a generous God who has lavished us with unconditional love and eternal life. How must God feel when we act like petty thieves rather than grateful children? God wants us to treat one another the way we want to be treated.

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” Luke 16:10 (NIV) Before the coming of Jesus, it would have been better for us to cut off our hands than to steal again, says scripture. Today, we have better options. We can accept God’s grace, change our bad habits and grow up in Christ. As we do, something wonderful happens: We experience the secret thrill of pleasing God. We grow closer to Him and feel joy. And with each good choice, we extend the light of Christ further into a dark world.

The world seldom exalts people for being honest, but who cares? We do it because pleasing God is worth everything.

“Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, were listening to all these things and were scoffing at Him [Jesus]. And He said to them, ‘You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God.’” (Luke 16:14 & 15) The world exalts cheaters, liars, the proud and self-serving. Don’t let it get you down. Jesus Christ has overcome the world.

(John 16:33). ❚ – Janine Pumilia 12

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Add Protein to Your Morning Routine A

s the weather cools down and routines ramp up, parents know it becomes increasingly challenging to keep the whole family on track. While most people know breakfast is the most important meal of the day, many don’t realize that protein in the morning is key to starting the day off right.

A protein-rich breakfast including milk can help energize your morning. Plus, protein at breakfast can help you feel full and satisfied, so you won’t feel hungry by mid-morning, which helps the whole family tackle work, errands, school, extracurricular activities or whatever else the day has in store.

One easy way to increase your family’s protein intake at breakfast is to simply add a glass of milk. Each 8-ounce serving has nine essential nutrients, including 8 grams of high-quality, natural protein. If mornings in your household are chaotic, plan ahead by making protein-rich breakfasts the night before that are easy to pair with milk, ensuring that the whole family can get out the door on time and fed in the morning.

to package directions 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup loosely packed brown sugar 1 & 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. salt 1/4 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt 2 large eggs 1 tsp. vanilla extract 4 TB creamy reduced-fat peanut butter 1/4 cup strawberry preserves

Preparation Heat oven to 350 F and grease 12-muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray. In medium saucepan, stir together quinoa and 1 cup milk. Bring to boil over medium heat. Reduce to simmer, cover and cook 10-15 minutes until quinoa is tender and milk is absorbed. In large bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, baking powder and salt; whisk to combine. In medium bowl, combine remaining milk, Greek yogurt, eggs, vanilla and peanut butter; mix well.

Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix until combined. Stir in cooked quinoa. Divide batter among muffin cups. Drop 1/2 teaspoon of strawberry preserves into center of each muffin tin on top of batter. Bake 20-25 minutes until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool 5-10 minutes. Serve with 8-ounce glass of milk. ❚ Source: Family Features

“As a mom and a pediatrician, I’m focused on what I feed my kids each day,” said Dr. Jennifer Shu, pediatrician and author. “Milk is a simple, nutritious way to make sure they get high-quality protein at each meal, plus other nutrients like calcium, vitamin D and more.”

When thinking about the week ahead, consider tasty, protein-rich recipes the whole family will love that can be prepared in advance and eaten on the go – like these PB and J Protein Power Muffins. For more recipe ideas and morning inspiration, visit milklife.com/morningprotein.

PB and J Protein Power Muffins Nonstick cooking spray 1 & 3/4 cups milk, divided 1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed according Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Weekly

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hat’s colorful, playful, seldom seen in our part of the world and good at making people of all ages laugh?

Lorikeets, of course. They’ve made a return visit to Rockford’s Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens and will be delighting visitors there through Nov. 13.

This colorful species of parakeet hails from down under, on the eastern seaboard of Australia, where there’s plenty of flower nectar to sip. Lorikeets are known for their fun-loving personalities, bright colors and ability to mimic words and sounds like their parrot cousins do.

There are special rules for visiting the lorikeet house. No food or drink is allowed because it just might get stolen.

Likewise, it’s best not to wear sparkly jewelry that might fascinate the birds a little too much. They’ve been known to pluck shiny objects from owners.

Naturally it would be bad manners to chase the birds or otherwise make them

feel threatened. You can, however, hold out a fist or hand (not a finger) for the birds to walk onto. Be sure to wash and sanitize your hands first, for the health of the birds.

The conservatory warns that “poop happens” and provides paper towels at the exit.

A limited number of conservatory members will be able to feed nectar to the lorikeets by reservation.

There are many lorikeet-related Make-It, Take-It activities scheduled at the conservatory. A complete schedule is posted on the website.

Lorikeets or not, the conservatory and its surrounding gardens along the Rock River, as well as the lovingly tended Sinnissippi Rose Garden, with its rare Victorian-era floral clock, are wonderful places for all ages to explore and enjoy.

The lorikeet exhibit is included with regular admission to the conservatory.

(Jesse Fox photo)

Lorikeets Delight Conservatory Visitors

The cost is $6 for resident adults, $8 for non-residents and $4/$6 for seniors (age 65-plus) and for children ages 5-17. Admission for children ages 3 and 4 is $1 for residents, $2 for non-residents and free to children age 2 and younger.

Learn more about them at nicholasconservatory.com. ❚

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Greek Fest

By Peggy Werner

A

ncient Greece is the birthplace of western civilization, having shaped the world thousands of years ago with contributions and achievements in just about every area of life, including social and political systems, science, art, architecture, philosophy, education and language.

Rockford’s Greek Fest celebrates this rich history with authentic Greek food, music, dance, gift items and more, on Sept. 9-11 at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 108 N. 5th St. “It’s always about enjoying life,” says Anne Panos, lifelong member of the church and a Greek Fest committee member. “Hospitality has high value in Greek living. We love to have people come to the festival to enjoy themselves by eating, drinking, dancing and learning about

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our history, culture and faith. We’re not only a church community, we’re a family,” she says.

Faith is a large part of the Greek culture.

Father Peter Sarolas, pastor of the local church, will be assisting with church tours at 6 p.m. Friday; at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday; and at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Sunday.

He says people are always surprised at what they learn about the Orthodox Church.

“We are Christians, believe in God and the Trinity, just like the Protestants and the Roman Catholics. Iconography is an important aspect of our faith and depicts saints, martyrs, the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ. We don’t worship icons, but we do venerate them,” says Sarolas. “Jesus Christ is the focal point of our faith.

No matter what happens in our personal lives or in the world, because of Christ’s resurrection, we see a light at the end of the tunnel.”

Sept 7 To advertise call 815-316-2300

Volunteer Maureen Bitsas converted from the Episcopalian faith to the Greek Orthodox Church in 2002.

“I was searching for something more meaningful to me,” she says. “I wanted a more traditional, liturgical church. I love the Orthodox Church because it involves all of the senses in every service. You see the beautiful and ornate iconography, smell the incense, and listen to the service being sung. It is celebrated much like it was in the very beginning.”

Festival Chairman Greg Kostantacos says the festival benefits the church, the Rock River Valley Food Pantry, and YMCA Youth Achievement, sponsor of

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the kid’s activities. Other highlights of the festival include Men of Our Times performing at 7 p.m. Friday night.

In ancient Greece, the “Agora,” or marketplace, was the center of civic life, where people would gather to discuss politics, philosophy and spirituality. Later on, the area became more of a shopping center, where people could buy handcrafted items and socialize.

Items made in Greece featured at this year’s marketplace include jewelry, incense and incense holders, icons, Tshirts, children’s clothing, sports items,

blankets, handbags, dolls, headbands and kitchen items. Among newer items are skin care products, including Minoan olive oil soaps, hand creams, and body scrubs.

It takes dozens of volunteers to cook, serve, and stock the food tent.

New this year is grilled octopus, cut into bite-size pieces and seasoned with lemon, olive oil and vinegar, and served with warm pita bread. The menu item will be available on Saturday and Sunday only.

“It’s a popular dish in Greece,” says volunteer Effie Parthenios-Reyes, explaining the taste as very mild, moist, tender and flavorful, and with a firm texture.

“We have a good organized system for making the food fresh and getting it served quickly in generous portions. We (Greeks) enjoy our food and want to share it with everyone,” she says.

Other menu items include gyros, pastitsio (layered beef and macaroni),

souvlaki (grilled pork kabobs), spanakopita (phyllo triangles filled with spinach and cheese), tyropita (cheese-filled phyllo), loukaniko (seasoned Greek sausage), saganaki (Greek cheese flamed with brandy and topped with lemon juice); Greek chicken, Greek salad, sampler plates, combination plates, hot dogs and Coney Island dogs.

Desserts will also be served and packaged for sale at the bakery booth.

Bitsas, who is also in charge of the bakery, says “Everyone loves baklava and it’s our most popular item. It takes a lot of time to make, but everyone loves it, so we do it.”

The Hellenic Dancers will perform at 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. The repertoire includes dances from various regions and islands of Greece.

Festival hours are from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, from noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 9 p.m. Sunday.

Learn more at rockfordgreekfest.com. ❚

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Type in Gambino Realtors and download.

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1.815.282.2222

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What You Should Know About Eye Floaters P art of smart living is taking good care of our bodies, including our eyesight.

Here, Dr. Richard A. Miller, board-certified opthalmologist and owner of Miller Eye Center, 2995 Eastrock Dr., Rockford, answers questions about eyesight.

the middle-age years, often forming minute debris within the eye. Floaters are also more often noticed in people who are nearsighted (myopic), and those who have had cataract or Yttrium Argon Garnet (YAG) laser surgery.

Exactly What are Eye Floaters?

Floaters are actually cellular debris within the vitreous, the jelly-like fluid that fills the inside of the eye. They may be seen as strings, streaks, clouds, bugs, dots, dust, or spider webs. They appear to be in front of the eye, but they are really floating in this fluid and, at the same time, casting their shadows on the retina, the light-sensing inner layer of the eye.

The debris could be made up of blood, torn retinal tissue, inflammation, or vitreous scars, but the presence of floaters could also simply be a change in the vitreous as part of its normal aging.

The vitreous fluid degenerates during

How Are Floaters Diagnosed?

Floaters are usually nothing to worry about, being simply a result of the normal aging process. Most people will develop a prominent floater in their fifties to sixties. Nevertheless, it is recommended you see an eye specialist, as floaters could be associated with a serious eye disease such as retinal detachment.

The vitreous covers the retina surface, and sometimes the retina is torn when degenerating vitreous is pulled away.

This occasionally leads to a small amount of bleeding, which may be interpreted as a new cluster of darker floaters.

A torn retina is serious and

could possibly develop into a retinal detachment. Consequently, any new floaters that appear should be seen and evaluated by a doctor.

What Is the Treatment for Floaters?

Though floaters can interfere with reading and be quite bothersome, there is no treatment or cure for floaters. They may, however, slowly fade out over time. In the meantime, if a floater appears, you can move your eyes up and down, which may cause the vitreous fluid to shift and help the floater move out of the line of vision. ❚

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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

AE: Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike Sept. 9-25. Adult siblings bicker over their costumes for an upcoming party while their (possibly psychic) housekeeper prophesies doom Rockford, IL 61101 1.800.521.0849 gorockford.com in this hilarious Tony winner for best play.

Presented by Artists’ Ensemble. Cheek Theatre, Rockford College, 5050 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 394-5004, artistsensemble.org.

9/10/07 2:07:37 PM

Greek Fest 2016 Sept. 9-11, Fri. 5-11 p.m., Sat. noon-11 p.m., Sun. noon-9 p.m. Enjoy dancing (both modern and traditional Greek), food, Greek and domestic beers and wines, baked goods, vendors and a raffle drawing. Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 108 N. 5th St., Rockford, (815) 963-8625, rockfordgreekfest.com.

Roscoe Lions Club Annual Fall Festival Sept. 9-11, Fri. 5-10 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m.-10p.m., Sun. noon-8 p.m. The Roscoe Lions Club hosts the village’s annual Fall Festival, featuring amusement rides, music and more. Leland Park, 10701 3rd St., (815) 623-2435, roscoelionsclub.com.

Rock Cut Hobo Trail Runs Sept. 9-11, Fri. 7 p.m., Sat. & Sun. 8 a.m. Run a 10K on Friday, a 25K Saturday and a 25K or 50K on Sunday. All races go through the scenic trails of Rock Cut State Park. Run all three days to receive special prizes. Rock Cut State Park, 7318 Harlem Road, Loves Park, Ill., (815) 670-4239.

Music on the Mall: Blue Lightning Band Sept. 9, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Experience live music at its best. Food and drinks from Mary’s Market available. Mary’s Market Café and Bakery, 1639 N. Alpine Road, Rockford, (815) 394-0765, edgebrookshops.com.

Screw City Beer Fest 2016 Sept. 10, 1-5:30 p.m. The sixth annual Screw City Beer Festival features dozens of American craft breweries. Sample more than 130 beers. Downtown Rockford, West State St. and Main St., Rockford, screwcitybeerfest.com.

Arch Smith & John Lindhorst Sept. 10, 7-9 p.m. Enjoy a free, family-friendly concert in a beautiful auditorium. Pizza from Mamma Mia’s, canned soda, bottled water and popcorn available. Spring Creek United Church of Christ, Rockford, (815) 877-2576, springcreekucc.org.

Hear Douglas Dawson's perspective on living in Japan on Sept. 15 at Anderson Japanese Gardens.

Main Street Market by Urban Farm Girl Sept. 10, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Shop among more than 100 vendors selling vintage, re-purposed and handmade items. Listen to three stages of music and purchase food and beverages from local vendors. Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford, (815) 985-9918, urbanfarmgirl.com/mainstreetmarket.

Dorothy Paige-Turner and Joel Ross Sept. 11, 3 p.m. Celebrate the wealth of talented music professionals in our area with an intimate concert and light refreshments. Emerson House, 420 N. Main St., Rockford, mendelssohnpac.org.

Grand Detour Arts Festival Sept. 11, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The historic Village of Grand Detour hosts one of the oldest art festivals in Illinois. The artwork is enhanced by the beautiful grounds, picturesque gardens and music throughout the day. John Deere Historic Site, 8334 S. Clinton St., Grand Detour, Illinois, (815) 652-4551, thenextpictureshow.com.

Tunes on the Terrace: Reed & Waddy Sept. 14, 6 p.m. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy music along the banks of the Rock River. Food and beverages available beginning at 5 p.m. Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, Rockford, (815) 987-8858, nicholasconservatory. com/tunes-on-the-terrace.

Evoking Native Landscape Sept. 15, 7 p.m. Hear one gardener/potter/art dealer’s perspective on living in Japan. Presentation by Douglas Dawson. Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, (815) 316-3307, andersongardens.org. ❚

For More Attractions & Events Visit GoRockford.com Tell them you saw it in ...

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Restaurant of the Week

‘Something Different’ At GreenFire Restaurant

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f you’re looking for a unique dining experience, look no further than GreenFire Restaurant, Bar and Bakery, 6795 E. Riverside Blvd.

Shendet Ismajlaj, owner for the past year, has a long history of working in Rockford area restaurants and is now carrying on the dream of late owner and founder Philippe Forcioli, who owned Café Patou and then opened GreenFire.

“I worked with Philippe for several years and never met anyone who could cook like him,” says Ismajlaj.

GreenFire is an American-contemporary farm restaurant, bar and bakery that uses only natural, fresh and seasonal ingredients, with everything cooked in stateof-the-art wood stone ovens.

“We offer something for everyone,

but we cater to the individual who wants to try something different,” says Ismajlaj. “People tell us there is nothing like it anywhere. We are known for our customer service, quality of food and unique flavor combinations.”

For breakfast, unique choices include tequila French toast, caramel apple pecan French toast, avocado eggs Benedict, wild berries crepes, and apple cider pancakes.

Appetizers include treats such as gorgonzola stuffed dates wrapped in applewood smoked duck bacon, with blackberry gastrique.

For lunch and dinner, there’s a wide selection of salads, meat entrees, seafood dishes, burgers, pasta, wood fire pizza and those delicious crepes made famous by Café Patou.

Arturo’s Mexican Restaurant E Casual/Authentic Mexican.

107 W. Main St., Poplar Grove, Ill., (815) 765-1144. LD M 11am8pm; T-Th to 9pm; F to 10pm; Sun noon-8pm. $.

Bravo Pizza E Italian/American. 376 Prairie Hill Road, South Beloit, Ill., (815) 624-7900. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat 11pm. $.

Cannova’s Italian Cuisine E Casual. 1101 W. Empire St., Freeport, (815) 233-0032. D T-Th, Sun 5-9pm; F-Sat 10pm. $-$$.

Costa’s Ristorante E Upscale-Casua/Italian. 133 Blackhawk Dr., Byron, Ill., (815) 234-4707. LD Daily 4pm. $-$$.

Franchesco’s Ristorante E Upscale/Italian-American. Sommelier, live entertainment. 7128 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, (815) 229-0800. LD Sun-Th 4-9pm, F-Sat to 10pm. $$ Fresco at the Gardens. E Casual/American Café. Fresh, localsourced ingredients. 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, (815) 316-2256 BkL Daily 7am-3pm. $$

5-9:30pm, F-Sat to 10:30pm, Sun 4:30-9:30pm. $$.

Local Dough Cafe E Restaurant/cafe. Baked goods, breakfast, lunch, dinner, beer, wine. 202 W. Main St., Rockton, (815) 957-0584. BkLD W-Sun 7 am-6 pm. $.

Main Street Meat Co E Deli/bakery. Quality meats, seafood, café/bakery with catering services. 9515 N. 2nd St., Roscoe, (815) 623-6328. BkLD M-F 8 am-6:30 pm; Sat. 8 am-6 pm; Sun. 9 am-5 pm. $.

Mamma Mia’s E Casual/American. Pizza, pasta, sandwiches, wraps. 1139 N. Alpine Road, Rockford, (815) 399-6262.

LD M-Th 4-9pm, F 11am-10pm, Sat 4-10pm, Sun to 9pm. $$ Maxson Riverside Restaurant E Casual/American. 1469 IL Rt. 2, Oregon, Ill., (800) 468-4222. LD M-Sat 11am-8pm; Br Sun 10am-3pm. $$.

Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint E Fine Dining. Ironworks Hotel, 500 Pleasant St., Beloit, (608) 313-0700. D Sun-Th 4:30-9pm, Fri-Sat to 10pm. $$.

Napoli Pizzeria III & Top Dollar Slots E Takeout/delivery.

6560 N. Alpine, Loves Park, Ill., (815) 877-9888. LD Daily 11am.

GreenFire � Upscale-Casual/American contemporary. Seasonal cuisine; local-sourced ingredients; gourmet market; live entertainment. 6795 E. Riverside Blvd., Rockford, (815) 316-3473. BkLD M-F 11am; Sat-Sun 8 am. Bar open late. $$.

Prairie Street Brewhouse E Upscale-Casual/American. 200 Prairie St., Rockford, (815) 277-9427. LD Sun-W 11am-10pm, Th to midnight, F-Sat to 2am. $-$$.

JMK Nippon Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar E UpscaleCasual. Food cooked tableside. 2551 N. Perryville, Rockford, (815) 877-0505. L T-F 11:30am-2pm, Sat to 2:30pm; D M-Th

Thrive Café E Casual/Cafe. Salads, wraps, sandwiches, smoothies, cold-pressed juices. Inside Peak Fitness, 4401 Peak Drive, Loves Park, Ill. BkLD M-F 6am-8pm, Sat 8am-2pm. ❚

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Shendet Ismajlaj, owner of GreenFire

On any given week, at least a dozen kinds of dessert are featured, the most popular one being a flourless, dense chocolate torte.There are regular and featured daily specials, as well as dinner pizzas for $10 after 10 p.m. every day. Learn more by calling GreenFire at (815) 316-3473. ❚

In the Spotlight

Top Picks for Local Restaurants 9 East Coffee E Casual/Coffeehouse. Specialty coffees, pastries, breakfast, lunch. 9 E. Stephenson St., Freeport, (815) 233-7300, BkL M-F 7am-3pm, Sat 7am-2pm. $

(Blake Nunes photo)

By Peggy Werner

Sept 7 To advertise call 815-316-2300

Merrill & Houston's Steak Joint

L

ocated at 500 Pleasant St., inside the Ironworks Hotel, the restaurant features mouth-watering steaks, along with a full-service menu of fish, chicken and and sea food selections.

Named after the men who's 1858 foundry became Beloit Corp., Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint celebrates Beloit's rich industrial history.

Many of its components are constructed with repurposed materials salvaged from historic buildings. Leather seats, hardwood floors and many historic photographs lining the walls give the space a rustic feel.

Merrill & Houston's is available for private and corporate events. The main dining room seats 120 and the banquet room can accommodate 200 guests.

Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint is open daily at 4 p.m. ❚

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Find a Contractor with a Strong Work Ethic

By Peggy Werner

H

ave you ever called a contractor, carpenter, painter or other tradesperson – only to be told “I’ll get back to you,” but you never hear from them again?

“We hear that complaint from customers much more than you would think and I’m not sure why that is,” says Jim Flynn, manager of Bonte Construction, 6628 N. Deer Path Road, Oregon, Ill. Flynn and owner Greg Bonte have worked together in the building trades for more than 15 years and a large part of their success is because they have the same work ethic, says Flynn. Bonte branched off on his own to start Bonte Construction in 2011.

Bonte Construction is one of the area’s leading contractors, specializing in construction, remodeling, additions,

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Smart Living Weekly

kitchens, bathroom, decks, siding, windows, doors and more. It services customers living in Byron, Oregon, Rockford and the surrounding area.

Some companies just don’t have a strong work ethic.

“Obviously, they don’t need the work or the income,” Flynn says of people who don’t follow through. They may be poor communicators, disorganized or just undependable.

Some customers believe they get the brush-off from professionals because the

Sept 7 To advertise call 815-316-2300

job is too small or too difficult. Again, that’s not a good business practice.

“We don’t ignore any job,” says Flynn. “A little job can always mean more business from that customer in the future, in the form of more work or referrals.

And if we can’t do the job, we’ll be honest about it,” he says.

Flynn recommends always asking friends and family for names and phone numbers of people they know have done good work and are reliable.

“Personally, I can’t understand why anyone would ignore someone,” says Flynn. “We pride ourselves in quality workmanship, do what we say we are going to do, and get the job done in a timely fashion. It’s just who we are.”

For more information or to set up an appointment for a free estimate, call Bonte Construction at (815) 345-1586. ❚

O L

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Choosing the Right Dog Breed for You

By Peggy Werner

W

hen it comes to picking out man’s (or woman’s) best friend, don’t be too hasty.

“People see a puppy, think it’s cute, buy it and bring it home without knowing anything about the particular breed and if it will be a good fit for the owner or family home where the dog will live,” says Dave Schnidt, owner of Dave’s Doggie Den, 107 St. Louis Ave., Rockford, where dogs are groomed, trained, and attend daycare.

When it comes to choosing a pet, think about your own lifestyle, he says.

Do you live in a small apartment or a big home in the country? Do you want a low-key lazy lap dog or a high energy hound that needs a lot of play time and exercise? Are you going to mostly snuggle or jog with your dog? Do you want a faithful friend or a fierce protector? Are there kids in the house or small children

in the neighborhood? Do you mind fur all over your favorite sofa or will that drive you crazy?

And, in case you didn’t know, all dogs require some training and the bigger they are, the more they eat. So, with all costs adding up, will a dog fit into your budget?

These are questions that need to be answered before buying a dog.

Schnidt says people need to research the breeds, talk to other dog owners, a veterinarian, and others who have experience working with dogs.

In general, some breeds are predictably less aggressive, such as labradors, poodles, golden retrievers, beagles, and hounds, while chows, German shepherds, rottweilers, and pit bulls can be more aggressive, especially with other dogs and

animals, he says.

With some information, people can be well matched to their pets, which can provide years of unconditional love and companionship. Studies have shown that loving and caring for a pet can be good for a person’s health, helping to lower blood pressure and reduce stress. ❚

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33

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