Smart Living Weekly - April 27, 2016 by Northwest Quarterly Mag

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n iving g Smartt L ivi ng ivin Weekly Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • Rockford Region/Beloit/Freeport 95¢ • April 27, 2016

™

Right in Our Region

Paulson’s Agriculture Museum of Argyle

By Janine Pumilia, managing editor

he late Warren and Helen Paulson believed there should be a place where people could take their families to learn about local historic farm life and the equipment so necessary to its success. “He had a real passion for this part of

American life and wanted to preserve what he could so he could share it with others,” explains Lynette Wherley, secretary and spokesperson for Paulson’s Agriculture Museum of Argyle, 6950 Belvidere Road, Caledonia. Continued on p. 22

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Proudly Serving the Needs of 326,000 Neighbors - For Your Home, Health & Fun! Mexican Sweet Corn Recipes • How to Buy Furniture • Set Some Boundaries for Your Pet Squirrel-Proof Your Bird Feeder • Treating Macular Degeneration • Stephen Warde Anderson Exhibit at RAM

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In This Issue

Right in Our Region ........................Cover & p. 22 Paulson’s Agriculture Museum of Argyle Your Home .................................................. ..... .11 Questions to Ask When Buying Furniture Inspiration & Worship .......................................12 Harvest & Hunger Your Kitchen ......................................................15 Fresh Sweet Corn Recipes Your Pet ..............................................................17 Set Boundaries for Fido Your Health ............................................. .......... .25 Treating Macular Degeneration Your Fun ................................................... ......... .27

Your Dining ................................................. .......29 Celebrate Cinco de Mayo! Arturo’s, Dos Reales Outdoor Living .......................................... ........ 29 Squirrel-Proof Your Bird Feeder Your Outings .................................................. .....33 Stephen Warde Anderson Exhibit

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Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes

Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Managing Editor Janine Pumilia Deputy Editor Sarah Soenke Assistant Editor Lindsey Gapen Graphics Director Blake Nunes Graphic Designer Samantha Ryan Contributing Writers Peggy Werner General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes General Manager/Northwest Business Magazine Dave Marino Account Executives Brian Hughes Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes Website www.NWQSmartLiving.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.

Smart Living Weekly

April 27

HOME LOAN

Life on the Farm D o you know what a hog oiler is? I didn’t, until I toured Paulson’s Agriculture Museum of Argyle for this issue’s cover story. And that’s a shame, because all of my grandparents were farmers. I bet many of you are in the same situation. I grew up in suburban Loves Park, just one generation removed from farm life. I could never visualize many things my elders talked about, such as the dreaded cream separator my mother took apart and cleaned every day or the tempramental tractor my grandpa constantly repaired. How I would have loved a place like this museum, when I was young, to visit with my family to better understand what their everyday lives had been like. I knew from their stories that farm life was very challenging but I also sensed a wistfulness in their voices. Farm familes were tied to the land, the weather – and each other – in ways most of us don’t understand today. Whether or not someone in your family once farmed, be sure to visit this museum and bring your kids along. Family farms have helped to feed the world and we should take pride in this aspect of our regional identity. We should also realize that this chapter of American life is fleeting. In 1900, 42 percent of the U.S. population lived on farms; by 1990 less than 2 percent did, according to U of I professor/author Robert Switzer, who grew up on a northwest Illinois dairy farm. It’s a safe bet that today’s corporate factory farms are generating less wistful memories. This fledgling museum contains a truly amazing collection but will need community support to survive. It’s never easy getting not-for-profits off the ground. Individual memberships are just $10. So, do you know what a hog oiler is? Call the museum at (815) 885-3846 to schedule a visit and find out. You’ll learn lots of fun facts about the farm ancestry we hold in common. Enjoy! ❚

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Janine Pumilia Executive Editor Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Weekly

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Experience Downtown Rockford

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Y H  G

Questions to Ask When Buying Furniture By Janine Pumilia, managing editor

ou get what you pay for when it comes to furniture and there’s a growing demand nationwide for better quality furniture, says Mitchell Johnson, store manager of the new 6651 E. State St. Gustafson’s Furniture & Mattress store. “Both across the U.S. and here in our region, people are tired of cheap furniture that falls apart,” says Johnson. Leather furniture remains popular, but Johnson cautions, “Be sure to ask questions about leather quality, since there are many imitations on the market. We also sell a lot of fabric sofas,” says Johnson. “There’s a trend toward more texture, with tweeds and corduroys and weaves. Today’s upholstery options are really wonderful – very durable but beautiful and comfortable. Most of today’s upholstery fabrics are made from PET, a highly durable polyester thread.”

Reclining furniture is very big, in every age group, across all demographics, says Johnson. “Don’t be afraid of electric mechanisms in recliners,” he says. “People worry too much about the motors breaking, but that seldom happens. You’re more likely to break a recliner that has to be manually raised and lowered. And electric motors give you a full range of motion rather than stopping at certain positions.” When buying upholstered furniture, the important question is not how the surface looks but what lies beneath. “Ask good questions when shopping,” advises Johnson. “Is the frame made from strong laminated wood or just plywood? Is there a reasonably good spring system that will distribute weight? Is the padding made of high-density foam or cheap ﬂuff? Is the leather exterior real

leather?” Reputable stores often have a cutaway model so you can see the materials below the surface. Do business with people who are in it for the long haul, not ﬂy-by-night chain stores with high turnover, suggests Johnson. “They have a real stake in making you happy and will deal with you more honestly.” Gustafson's original location is at 808 Riverside Blvd. ❚

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I  W

Harvest & Hunger

he Midwest is sometimes referred to as the “breadbasket of the world,” thanks to the rich soil and growing climate provided to us by God. It’s hard to believe that nearly 425,000 people in the service area of Northern Illinois Food Bank are classiﬁed as “food insecure.” Nearly half are children; other large segments include the elderly, disabled, working poor, homeless and veterans. While good people disagree about the role government should play in helping the needy, there’s no question that caring for hungry, sick and oppressed people has always been part of the Judeo-Christian ethic. Christians are generous helpers of the hungry. Lest we forget that this is not just a nice thing to do, but the will of God, here are a few verses to remind us. She [the virtuous woman] opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. – Proverbs 31:20 Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse. – Proverbs 28:27 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and ﬁlled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. – James 2:1418. And he [Jesus] answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” – Luke 3:11 But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. – I John 3:17-18 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ – Matthew 25:37-40 ❚ – Janine Pumilia

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Celebrate a Sweet, Festive Cinco de Mayo C

inco de Mayo is, ofﬁcially, a holiday celebrating Mexico’s victory over France in the 1862 Battle of Puebla. In the U.S., where it is actually celebrated with more gusto than in its native country, the holiday has become a celebration of Mexican heritage and culture. Incorporating more healthful whole foods and veggies into your Cinco de Mayo celebration this year makes it easier to justify one more margarita. No matter what you serve at your Cinco de Mayo celebration, make sure to incorporate the sweet and wholesome ﬂavor of fresh spring sweet corn.

Mexican Style Corn Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 4 ears fresh Sunshine Sweet Corn, husked • 1/4 cup mayonnaise • 4 ounces Cotija or feta cheese • 1 teaspoon chili powder • 4 lime slices

Directions: Brush corn with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Over hot grill or open gas stove ﬂame, char ears of corn until well blackened but not completely burnt. Remove from heat; cool. With large knife, shave off kernels into bowl. Add cilantro, parsley and mint; reserve. In small bowl, combine onion and lime juice; let stand 10 minutes. Stir in maple syrup, radishes, zucchini, jalapeno and 2 tablespoons of oil. Season with salt and pepper; set aside. Heat your tortillas one of two ways: Wrap whole stack in foil and place in warm 250∞F oven for 15 minutes, or coat cast-iron skillet with thin layer of oil and heat over high heat; warm each tortilla 30 seconds to 1 minute each side, until lightly blistered. To make tacos, ﬁll each tortilla with

1/4 cup corn. Top with cheese and radishzucchini slaw. Serve with lime wedges, if desired. ❚

Source: Family Features

Directions: Preheat grill or broiler. Grill or broil corn, turning occasionally until hot and some kernels turn golden brown, about 5 minutes. Using knife, coat each ear of corn with about 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise. Crumble cheese on one side of each corn ear. Sprinkle with chili powder, dividing evenly. Broil, approximately 1 to 2 minutes. Serve with lime.

Charred Corn Tacos with Radish Zucchini Slaw Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 4 ears Sunshine Sweet Corn • Extra virgin olive oil, as needed • Salt and freshly ground pepper, as needed • 1/2 cup torn cilantro, parsley and mint leaves • 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced • 2 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice • 1 teaspoon maple syrup • 1 cup radishes, cut into matchsticks • 1 small zucchini, cut into matchsticks • 1 jalapeno, seeded and thinly sliced • 1/2 cup crumbled Cotija or feta cheese • 10 to 12 small (6-inch) soft corn tortillas Tell them you saw it in Smart ... Living Weekly

April 27

Y P

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April 27

Y P

Set Boundaries for Fido with Fence System By Peggy Werner

ant to be better friends with your dog and eliminate the frustration that comes with misbehaving and runaway pets? Invisible Fence of Northwestern Illinois, 4410 Route 176 in Crystal Lake, specializes in the installation of pet fences, dog training, and a full line of products for dogs and cats inside and outside of the home. “Our staff is committed to customer service and pet safety. Our best day is when a customer comes into the office and says ‘this is the best thing we ever did.’ Homeowners say they actually like their dogs again,” says Joyce Brennan, owner of Invisible Fence of Northwestern Illinois. The business specializes in the installation and training for the Invisible

Fence brand in a six-county area. Each installation is customized to meet the homeowner’s needs. People can keep their pets at home while protecting things like garden beds and ponds; they can also set up an inside system to keep dogs off couches, out of litter boxes and other forbidden areas. Separate spaces and different rules for multiple pets can also be accomplished, says Brennan. Invisible Fence Brand is unique in that it utilizes professional pet trainers certified through Perfect Start Plus Dog Training developed in collaboration with leading animal behaviorists to ensure safety and success when helping pets adjust to their new boundaries. The brand also offers a transferrable lifetime warranty when a homeowner moves. It’s rare to find a pet that can’t be trained.

“If a pet is approachable, friendly, and non-aggressive, it can be trained,” says Brennan. “Some people believe that some breeds can’t be trained, but that just isn’t true,” she says. For more information or to schedule a free in-home consultation, contact Invisible Fence of Northwestern Illinois in Crystal Lake at (815) 477-1092 or (800) 578-3647 or go to invisiblefence. com. ❚

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R  O R

Argyle’s Museum Continued from Cover

The museum overflows with farm artifacts, large and small, including 50plus antique tractors, 700 cast iron farming implement seats, cultivators, wagons, windmills, vintage advertising signs and novelties like milking equipment and hog oilers – yes, hog oilers. The Paulsons farmed from 1943 to 1989 in Argyle, an unincorporated area near Caledonia settled by Scottish Americans. Warren also sold, installed and repaired farm implements and sold DeKalb seed products. He established the museum in 2006, after amassing his collection over 40 years. The Paulsons donated these artifacts, along with about 15 acres of land and several buildings, to the museum in 2010, the same year Helen died at On the Cover: Eugene Wheeler, board president of Paulson’s Agriculture Museum of Argyle. Photos by Samantha Ryan.

Smart Living Weekly

age 87. The Paulsons were married for 66 years. Warren, who was born on his family’s Caledonia farm in the summer of 1922, died at age 90 in 2012. “Warren wanted the museum to live on for posterity so the public could enjoy it and learn from it,” says Wherley. “His heirs graciously honored his wishes. The museum is now independently chartered as a 501C3 not-for-profit corporation with a mission statement of education and preservation. It’s managed by an all-volunteer board.” Along with agricultural artifacts, the museum contains a model train replica of the Kenosha and Rockford Railroad line, complete with miniature local depot depictions. There’s also a large collection of cast iron toys and a farm kitchen display with items commonly used by hardworking farm women, such as a wringer

April 27

washing machine, round icebox, cast iron stove, spinning wheel, butter churn and much more. Visitors will discover just how innovative the makers of farm implements were and how deeply the Rockford region was involved in their manufacture. The museum boasts the largest collection anywhere of equipment made by Rockford’s Emerson Brantingham, which later became J.I. Case. The words “Made in Rockford” are stamped on many other pieces in the collection, too.

R  O R other board members are thinking outside the box for new ways to use the museum for the benefit of the community. New ideas being talked about include farmers markets, school tours and a special tractor parade. The museum is open for tours by appointment and the main building is heated and available to rent year-round for barn dances, The all-volunteer museum is open by appointment. Be sure to leave a voicemail message if no one answers fundraisers, birthday parties, company picnics, toy shows, auctions, cookmore events.” outs, lectures or other events. Food can Admission to the museum is $7 per be catered to the location. adult and free for children under age 8. “We want the public to realize To schedule a visit, inquire about this accredited museum is still here, membership (annual membership starts in Argyle,” says Wherley. “And the at $10) or learn more about volunteering, museum is looking for volunteers call (815) 885-3846 or go to paulsonsagwho share a passion for the history riculturemuseum.com. of farming and want to help build “We’re an all-volunteer board of diupon Warren Paulson’s vision. rectors, but we always check our messag“We’re hoping to grow the es and return phonecalls,” says Wherley. museum this year – to attract more “This place tells an amazing story and we visitors, add to collections and host The Emerson Brantingham co. later became J.I. Case. don’t want you to miss it.” ❚ “Farming was not just a way of life,” says Wherley, whose farming grandparents, Fred and Marie Barkley, were neighbors and friends of the Paulsons. “It was a business and it was very hard work. They were, in effect, ‘manufacturing’ food. It required a lot of ingenuity to learn how each piece of equipment worked and to keep them in good repair.” Wherley got involved with the museum board after donating artifacts from her family’s farm, including a working Fairbanks-Morse Beloit, Wis.-made “hitand-miss” windmill engine. Now she and

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April 27

Y H

Facts about Age-Related Macular Degeneration A ge-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a medical condition that usually affects older adults and results in a loss of vision in the center of the visual field (the macula) because of damage to the retina. AMD is a major cause of blindness and visual impairment afflicting up to 30 percent of adults aged 50 and over. It’s a hereditary condition that’s more common in women and in those with blue irises; smoking is a major risk factor. Common symptoms include an increasing need for more light when reading or doing up-close work; a decrease in the brightness or intensity of colors; a blurred or blind spot in the center of your field of vision; distorted shapes; inability to recognize faces. AMD occurs in “dry” and “wet” forms, each with very distinct features. In the dry form, which develops slowly over many years, cellular debris called drusen accumulates between the retina and the choroid, which can cause the retina to become detached. The wet form, which is more severe, may progress quickly over just days or weeks. It includes bleeding or fluid collection, both caused by an abnormal growth of blood vessels from underneath the retina.

In the early stages, macular degeneration is best diagnosed by your physician during a dilated examination. As it increases in severity, you may notice distortion in vision that hampers reading. AMD can occur in one or both eyes. A checkerboard called the Amsler Grid can make it easier for patients to detect early damage to their macula. Your physician may run a number of tests, including optical coherence tomography and flourescein angiography. Wet AMD can be treated with injections of medication that stabilize vision in most patients and improve vision in some. Laser is occasionally used to treat patients resistant to medications. In patients with dry AMD, a proven combination of high-dose vitamins can reduce the rate of progression. Frequent monitoring of both types of macular degeneration has been found significantly effective in reducing the rate of blindness. If you’re experiencing a vision problem, consult a certified opthalmologist, such as those at Miller Eye Center in Rockford. ❚ Source: Miller Eye Center

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AE: “Company” April 28-May 1, Thu.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. On the night of his 35th birthday, confirmed bachelor Robert contemplates his unmarried status. Over the course of a series of dinners, drinks and even a wedding, his friends explain the pros and cons of taking on a spouse. Maddox Theatre, Clark Arts Center, Rockford University, 5050 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 226-4100, artistsensemble.org. Organ Music at Noon April 29, noon-12:45 p.m. Enjoy a free performance on Mendelssohn Hall’s grand pipe organ. Sing along and enjoy a light lunch following the concert. Mendelssohn Hall, 406 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 964-9713, mendelssohnpac.org. Pitney Place Open House Celebration April 29, 4:30 p.m. Celebrate the opening of Pitney Place – a refuge of hope for homeless women and children who’ve faced substance abuse, domestic violence, family dysfunction and other obstacles. The evening will include a ribbon-cutting, open house tours and a celebration reception. Rockford Rescue Mission, 715 W. State St., Rockford, (815) 316-4176, rockfordrescuemission.org. Arbor Dash 5k at Klehm Arboretum April 29, 6:30 p.m. The third annual Arbor Dash is a fun trail run through Klehm’s grounds via paved paths and dirt trails. Enjoy the scenic landscape and invite your friends to join you. Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden, 2715 S. Main St., Rockford, (815) 965-8146, klehm.org/ arbor5k. Kidz Bop: Life of the Party Tour April 29, 7 p.m. Kidz Bop, the No. 1 kids’ pop music brand, is taking its 15th birthday celebration on the road with the all-new “Life of the Party” tour. Coronado Performing Arts Center (CPAC), 314 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 968-0595, coronadopac.org. LOLTOS: Gary Hanson Performance April 30, 9:30 a.m. coffee and conversation, 10 a.m. musical program. The Land of Lincoln Theatre Organ Society presents a social and musical performance. CPAC, Rockford, (815) 239-9088, coronadopac.org/about/residentcompanies. Sons of the Never Wrong April 30, 7:30 p.m. For 20 years, Sons has been Tell them you saw it in ...

Tony award-winning "Ragtime the Musical" comes to the Coronado on May 4.

wowing its fans with music, humor and outrageously fun live shows. Emerson House, 420 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 964-9713, mendelssohnpac.org. RSO Classics: Tchaikovsky and Emily Bear April 30, 7:30 p.m. Enjoy a piano concerto with the talented young Emily Bear. CPAC, Rockford, (815) 968-0595, coronadopac.org. Butterfly Monitoring Training April 30, 9 a.m.-noon. Doug Taron, Ph.D., returns to the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County to delve deeper into the wonderful world of butterfly monitoring. Open to all interested in butterfly identification. Forest Preserve Headquarters, 5500 Northrock Dr., Rockford, (815) 877-6100, winnebagoforest.org. Dia Del Nio (Children’s Day) April 30, 2 p.m. Come celebrate this day with your children. There will be games and a movie. Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 987-6660, rockfordpubliclibrary.org/ content/nordlof-center/nordlof-events. Rockford’s Best Dish May 4, 5:30-8 p.m. Taste dozens of Rockfordarea restaurants’ best dishes. There will be a winner for best appetizer, best entree and best dessert – from which judges will award an overall “Rockford’s Best Dish.” Cliffbreakers Restaurant, 700 W. Riverside Blvd., Rockford, (815) 963-1609, rockfordsbestdish.com. “Ragtime the Musical” May 4, 7:30 p.m. An upper-class wife, a determined Jewish immigrant and a daring young Harlem musician are united by their desire and belief in a brighter tomorrow. CPAC, Rockford, (815) 968-0595, coronadopac.org. ❚ Smart Living Weekly

April 27

WDL

Restaurant of the Week - Celebrate Cinco de Mayo!

Not-to-Miss Mexican Food at Arturo's

By Brian Hughes

amily-owned and -operated since 2009, Arturo’s Mexican Restaurant, 107 W. Main St., in Poplar Grove, Ill., has become quite the local favorite. With more than 20 years of restaurant experience, owner Arturo Torres has created an authentic Mexican establishment that's truly unique to the area. “It’s our goal to provide Poplar Grove and surrounding communities with homemade Mexican cuisine,” Torres says. Torres' award-winning tacos may be the most popular dish, but other fan favorites include the daily lunch specials, fajitas, 10 Finger Burritos and Enchilada Dinners. Loyalists also enjoy the 10-ounce rib-eye steak, smothered with sauteed onions and mushrooms, and topped with melted mozzarella cheese. With an expanding selection of domestic and imported beers, the full-service bar at Arturo’s is popular by itself, but by far the most-ordered drink is the house margarita. “We sell a lot of margaritas because they pair so well with our authentic Mexican cuisine,” says Torres. The newly remodeled and expanded dining room creates a warm and inviting atmosphere where it’s easy to ﬁnd good food

and quality service. “We believe people keep coming back because we offer a great experience every time a customer walks through the door,” says Torres. “We strive to make our guests as comfortable as they would be in their own homes.” Recent updates at Owner Arturo Torres (center), with his family, at Arturo's in Poplar Grove, Ill. Arturo’s have also led to the introduction of new staff members, menu items and fresh accents around the dining room. Torres says he expects to open a rooftop beer garden by the end of 2017. The restaurant accommodates private parties of up to 50. Arturo’s Mexican Restaurant is open Mon.-Thu. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., and Sun. 12 p.m.-8 p.m. ❚

In the Spotlight

Top Picks for Local Restaurants Arturo’s Mexican Restaurant E Casual/Authentic Fresh Mexican. 107 W. Main St., Poplar Grove, Ill., (815) 765-1144. LD M 11am-8pm; Tue-Th 11am-9pm; Fri 11am-10pm; Sun noon-8pm. $.

Main Street Bistro E Casual/Fine dining. Th&Sat. 109 S. Galena, Freeport, (815) 232-2322. M-Sat 2pm-midnight. $$.

Maciano’s Pizza & Pastaria E Casual. Beer/wine. 6746 Broadcast Pkwy., Loves Park, (815) 963-7869. LD Sun-Th Bravo Pizza E Italian/American. 376 Prairie Hill Rd., South Be- 11am-10pm, F-Sat 11pm. $$. loit, (815) 624-7900. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat 11pm. $. Maxson Riverside Restaurant E Casual/American. 1469 IL Cannova’s Italian Cuisine E Casual. 1101 W. Empire St., Free- Route 2, Oregon, Ill., (800) 468-4222. LD M-Sat 11am-8pm, port, (815) 233-0032. D T-Th, Sun 5-9pm; F-Sat 10pm. $-$$. Br Sun 10am-3pm. $$. Ciao Bella Ristorante E Upscale-Casual/Italian-American. Extensive wine list; daily specials. 6500 E. Riverside, Loves Park, (815) 654-9900. LD M-F 11am-9pm, Sat 5-9pm, Sun 4-7:30pm.

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

Napoli Pizzeria III & Top Dollar Slots E Takeout/delivery. Costa’s Ristorante E Upscale-Casual. 133 Blackhawk Dr., By- 6560 N. Alpine, Loves Park, (815) 877-9888. LD daily 11am. ron, Ill., (815) 234-4707. Open daily 4pm. $-$$. Prairie Street Brewhouse E Upscale-Casual/American. 200 Dos Reales E Casual/Mexican. Authentic Mexican fare, Prairie St., Rockford, (815) 277-9427. LD Sun-W 11am-10pm, lunch menu. 5855 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 227-4979. LD Th to midnight, F-Sat to 2am. $-$$. Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 10:30pm. $-$$. Tavern on Clark E Casual/American. 755 Clark Ave., RockGiordano’s Famous Stuffed Pizza E Casual/Italian. Pick-up/ ford, (815) 708-7088. LD daily 10am. $-$$. delivery. 333 Executive Pkwy., Rockford, Ill. (815) 398-5700. Thrive Café E Healthful, fresh salads, wraps, sandwiches, LD Sun-Th 9am-11pm; F-Sat to midnight. $. smoothies and cold-pressed juices. Inside Peak Fitness, 4401 JMK Nippon Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar E Upscale- Peak Drive, Loves Park. 6 am-8 pm Mon-Fri.; 8 am-2 pm Sat.; Casual. Food cooked tableside. 2551 N. Perryville, Rockford, Closed Sundays. (815) 877-0505. L T-F 11:30am-2pm, Sat 2:30pm; D M-Th This Is It Eatery E Casual/American. 16 N. Chicago Ave., Free5-9:30pm, F-Sat 10:30pm, Sun 4:30-9:30pm. $$. port, (815) 616-5449. LD T-Th 11am-8pm, F-Sat 10pm. $. ❚ 28

Smart Living Weekly

April 27

Dos Reales

os Reales, 5855 E. State St., Rockford, has been serving up authentic Mexican fare and signature margaritas, along with some American fare, since 1998. Its recently updated menu features a burrito cheesesteak and chimichangas, along with newer items such as torta Mexicana, a Mexican style of sandwich ﬁlled with grilled chicken or steak; sopes Mexicanos, a traditional Mexican dish served with rice and beans; and molletes, a traditional Mexican meal with toasted bread covered in refried beans and grilled steak. Dos Reales offers glutenfree options, and dishes are mild unless a guest requests spicy. “We prepare everything from scratch and purchase our products from local sources,” says Jose Gonzalez, Dos Reales’s manager. Dos Reales is open Sun.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-10 p.m., and Fri.-Sat. until 10:30 p.m. ❚

O L

Are You Feeding Birds or Squirrels? By Peggy Werner

lthough birds tend to get more attention from people when temperatures drop, our feathered friends appreciate good nutrition all year ‘round. Some of the most colorful varieties pass through or take up residence in our yards during spring and summer. The care and feeding of birds year round is the prime objective of Wild Birds Unlimited, 631 S. Perryville Road, Rockford. “It’s all about connecting people with nature,” says Phil Rezin, owner of the local business for the past three years. The store specializes in top quality bird feeders, birdseed, birdbaths, gifts, and information to enrich the world of the bird lover who wants to create a bounteous, safe backyard haven for birds. One of the most popular items in the store is the advanced pole system, which

has a secure screw-in base that goes about 1.5 feet into the ground to stabilize it for as many straight or curved extensions as a homeowner would like to add. The extensions can hold bird feeders of various kinds at various heights as well as plants and birdbaths. The basic set up with two hangers starts at $70. To protect the feeders from squirrels, raccoons and other seed-eating animals, Wild Birds Unlimited offers a premier steel baffle, wide enough and smooth enough to keep any animal from being able to grasp on and get to a bird feeder. “If you can’t squirrel-proof a feeder, you can squirrel-proof a pole,” says Rezin. Squirrel-proofing bird feeders is the No. 1 concern of backyard bird watchers, says Rezin. A homeowner often runs out of birdseed twice as fast when other animals can access the seed. Some

weight-sensitive feeders work to discourage squirrels, but not all are effective, he says. ❚

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Anderson Exhibit at RAM Through May T

here’s still time to see Rockford Art Museum’s colorful feature exhibition, “The Wonderful World of Stephen Warde Anderson,” through May 30. Anderson is a self-taught Rockford native whose stylized paintings are inspired by beautiful fantasies of figures throughout history and mythology, film and literature, as well as subjects and stories culled from his own genealogical research. Anderson’s work is shown in collections across the country including Smithsonian American Art Museum,

American Folk Art Museum, Milwaukee Art Museum and, of course, Rockford Art Museum. Art critic Margaret Hawkins once wrote in the Chicago Sun-Times: “Anderson’s work has a following because he appears to do effortlessly what a lot of educated artists try to do and fail: he makes fanciful, fantasy-centered art full of belief and devoid of irony. ... What’s interesting about Anderson’s work, for all its garishness and primitivism, is the earnestness with which it is painted. There’s no returning to this kind of self-absorbed naivete for trained artists, but in an art world full of faux innocents, it is useful to see the real thing.” Also featured in the 15-week exhibition is the 2014 short film

“Fantasy Tableau,” by documentary filmmaker Kate Balsley, who explores Anderson’s “marvelously eccentric” life and art. Rockford Art Museum, 711 N. Main St., is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission: $7 for adults; $3 for students and seniors; Free for RAM members and children younger than 12. Learn more at rockfordartmuseum. org. ❚

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