Smart Living Weekly - March 18, 2015 by Northwest Quarterly Mag

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iving n g Smart L ivi ivin ng Weekly Save Smarter • Live Better • Rockford Region/Freeport 95¢ • March 18, 2015

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Right in Our Region

Meltfest: Rockford’s New Rite of Spring By Karla Nagy, associate editor

ockford has a new rite of spring: Meltfest, a familyfriendly, day-long event that “celebrates the melting away of winter and the melting together of the community.” Last year’s inaugural event drew 3,000 people and featured more than 30 local vendors, free live music from local bands, a 5K and children’s run, bike ride and kids’ activities, and organizers say Meltfest 2015 will be bigger and better. It will be held on March 21, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., in the parking lot between Riverview Ice House, 324 N. Madison St., and Prairie Street Brewhouse, 200 Prairie St. “My wife and I went to Stroll on State last year and thought it was really great,” says Brian Huels, one of the event organizers. “We decided that Rockford needs more of these kinds of events. We were wondering what else we could do, and decided to start a spring celebration.” Continued on p. 20

• Get All the SAVINGS You Deserve from Local Businesses

Inside: Healthy After-School Snacks • FHN’s Rehabilitation Services • Patient Safety Awareness Week Where Do Pests Lurk in Your Home? • Restaurant of the Week: The Olympic Tavern

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In This Issue

Right in Our Region ........................Cover & p. 20 Meltfest: Rockford’s New Rite of Spring Your Home .................................................. ..... 11 Where Do Pests Lurk in Your Home? Inspiration & Worship ......................................12 The Walk Your Kitchen .....................................................15 DIY After-School Snacks for Kids Your Outings .....................................................17 Butterﬂy Exhibit at Nicholas Conservatory

Your Health ............................................. .......... 25 FHN Rehabilitation Services Your Fun ................................................... ......... 27 Restaurant of the Week ................................... 29 The Olympic Tavern Dining Locally .......................................... ........ 29 Tips ........................................................... ......... 31 Patient Safety Awareness at RSC Your Money .............................................. ......... 33 Dependent Tax Deductions for the Divorced

Smart L iving Weekly ™

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes Executive Editor Janine Pumilia

Managing Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Associate Editor/Special Projects Editor Karla Nagy Senior Staff Writer/Promotions Coordinator Paul Anthony Arco Graphics Director Blake Nunes Graphic Designer Samantha Ryan General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes General Manager/Northwest Business Magazine Dave Marino Account Executive Brian Hughes Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes Website www.NWQSmartLiving.com Published by Hughes Media Corp. 728 N. Prospect St., Rockford, IL, 61107 (815) 316-2300, Fax: (815) 316-2301 lhughes@northwestquarterly.com Smart Living Weekly. Copyright 2014 by Hughes Media Corp., 728 N. Prospect St., Rockford, IL, 61107. 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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March 18

Are You Watching?

ave you seen a robin yet? I haven’t, but I’m watching. I did spot two other signs of spring over the weekend. The first was a chipmunk who’d emerged from his winter hideaway. He was staggering around under the birdfeeder, wiping sleep from his eyes. The second was a patch of fresh chives growing wild in the woods. Few things beat that first faint onion-y scent underfoot! Right now I’m working on my annual “Best New Plants” article, a delightful rite of spring for me. Last week I found Scott Gensler of Gensler Gardens very busy nurturing potted seed plants in preparation for the spring season. This week I’ll run up to Janesville and see what Chris Williams of K & W Greenery is up to. I love these places! To their credit, the managers of locally owned greenhouses are always a bit reluctant to talk about the year’s newest plant introductions, until they’ve had time to see for themselves how those plants perform in our region. They genuinely want to be sure customers are successful in their gardening efforts. They want us to come back year after year! That’s the difference between locally owned stores and big box stores, by the way. The local folks use better plant stock that’s better acclimated to our region and also use better soil that will feed plants throughout the season rather than front-loading them with fertilizer just to reach May sales goals. If you’ve ever bought a spectacular-looking hanging basket from a big box in May and watched it burn out and collapse by July 4, you know what I mean. As an added bonus, local greenhouse staffers actually know something about plants! It’s just one more way that buying local equates to smarter living, in the long run. I hope you’re enjoying your week. It’s an extra-special one because it contains the official First Day of Spring on March 20. Watch for those robins! ❚ Janine Pumilia Executive Editor

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Y H  G

Where Do Pests Lurk in Your Home?

ommon household pests enter homes in search of water, food and shelter. They can get in through almost any size opening, including tiny cracks and crevices or holes as small as a dime. Once inside, pests, such as rodents, cockroaches, ants and spiders, will find a hiding or nesting spot, and their favorite rooms are the kitchen, bathroom, basement and attic. In the kitchen, dry foods in the pantry, crumbs on the counter or under the fridge, and food scraps in the trash can are items rodents, ants and cockroaches are looking for. Once they’ve found them, they’ll keep coming back, contaminating kitchen surfaces and food and posing health and property hazards. Sinks and bathtubs in bathrooms provide a consistent source of moisture for pests like cockroaches, house centipedes and silverfish. Pipes offer a pathway into – and throughout – the house. Because the basement and attic usually house boxes, papers and insulation, and at times are prone to dampness and moisture, they’re common spots for rodent and spider infestations. Rodents are capable of destroying insulation and chewing through walls, baseboards and electrical wires, increasing the risk of fire. The National Pest Management Association suggests these pest-proofing measures you can take to discourage unwanted guests from taking shelter in these places:

• Immediately wipe up crumbs or spills from countertops, tables, floors and shelves.

• Wipe down kitchen appliances and clean under them. • Store food in airtight containers, and dispose of garbage regularly in sealed receptacles. • Don’t let dirty dishes pile up in the sink. • Don’t leave pet food and water bowls sitting out for long periods of time. • Inspect sinks, toilets and tubs for any leaks or drips. • Give bathrooms a thorough cleaning by scrubbing the floors with disinfectant cleaner, and wiping down the inside of drawers with warm soapy water. • Clean up spills from shampoo, lotion and soap bottles and make sure caps are securely closed. • Replace loose mortar and weather stripping around the basement foundation. • Store items in basements and attics in sealed, plastic containers, off of the floor. • Keep attics and basements well ventilated and dry. Use a dehumidifier and install gutters or diverts as needed. • Eliminate all moisture sites, including leaking pipes and clogged drains.

If you suspect an infestation, contact a pest professional who can properly assess and treat the problem. For more information, visit pestworld.org. ❚

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Source: NewsUSA

March 18

I  W

The Walk

erhaps the most relevant mental image of all, for Christians, is the idea of walking beside Jesus Christ, carefully listening to every word of his guidance with loving obedience. A very interesting literal walk with Jesus is recorded in Luke, starting with chater 24, verse 13 (NIV), when Jesus, in his new spiritual body, joins two men who are talking about his recent crucifixion as they walk toward Emmaus, which is about seven miles from Jerusalem: They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them, but they were kept from recognizing him. He asked, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things that have happened there in these days?” “What things?” Jesus asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. They tell him they had hoped Jesus would redeem Israel, but instead he was executed. They relay the story, ending with the report of the empty tomb. “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken!” Jesus tells them. “Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. Imagine being taught the Old Testament by Jesus himself! They invite him to supper. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened Scriptures to us?” Of all the miracles the resurrected Christ could have used to prove himself to the men, he chose instead to teach them Scripture. As we walk and talk with Jesus, we, too, find the face of Jesus in God’s Word.■ – Janine Pumilia

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Y Y K K

Get Creative with After School Snacks F

or teens and tweens, after-school snacks can be fun as well as satisfying, with recipes they can make themselves. DIY after-school snacks that use their favorite breakfast cereals in familiar recipes allow kids to push their creative limits. A lightly sweetened corn and oat cereal such as Honeycomb has a one-ofa-kind, fun shape and is a recognizable addition to favorite treats. For more kid-friendly recipes, visit postfoods.com. ❚ Source: Family Features

After-School Cereal Muffins Ingredients 1 cup flour 2 Tb. sugar 1 Tb. baking powder ⅛ tsp. salt ⅓ cup cold margarine

3⅓ cups Post Honeycomb Cereal 1 cup milk 1 egg 1 tsp. sugar ⅛ tsp. ground cinnamon

Directions Place cereal in a large bowl. Microwave peanut butter and chocolate in large microwave-safe bowl on high 1½ minutes. Stir until chocolate is melted and mixture is well blended. Pour over cereal; toss to evenly coat. Spread cereal mixture onto foil. Let stand 2 hours or until chocolate coating is set. Sift powdered sugar over cereal mixture until evenly coated. Store in tightly covered container at room temperature.

Directions Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease 12-cup muffin tin. Mix flour, 2 Tb. sugar, baking powder and salt in large bowl; cut in butter with pastry blender or two knives until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Mix 3 cups cereal and milk in medium bowl; let stand 3 minutes. Stir in egg. Add to flour mixture; stir just until moistened (batter will be lumpy). Spoon evenly into muffin tin, filling each cup 2/3 full. Mix remaining ⅓ cup cereal, 1 tsp. sugar and ⅛ tsp. cinnamon. Sprinkle evenly over muffins. Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool.

Total time: 10 minutes. Servings: 16

Total time: 35 minutes. Servings: 12

Monkey Munch Ingredients ½ cup peanut butter 4 squares semi-sweet chocolate 8 cups Post Honeycomb Cereal 2 Tb. powdered sugar

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Nicholas Conservatory Butterfly Exhibit Opens S

Grown-ups can attend a Build a Butterfly-Friendly Garden workshop, offered on May 2, 1-2 p.m. Conservatory staff will recommend flowers and features that attract butterflies, and participants will receive a selection of butterflyfavorite seeds and a milkweed plant to take home. Cost is $10 ($15 for nonresidents). Situated along the banks of our beautiful Rock River, Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens is the third-largest conservatory in Illinois, offering an 11,000-square-foot plant exhibition area complete with water features, seating areas and sculptures, all in a tropical plant setting. Outdoors, the Eclipse Lagoon has two fountains, a waterfall, pedestrian bridge, patio areas, and a walkway to the Sinnissippi Rose Garden. Conservatory hours: Tues., Wed., Fri. 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Thurs. 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. For more information, visit nicholasconservatory.com. ❚

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(Nicholas Conservatory photo)

pring brings many things, among them, butterflies. You can celebrate their arrival early, at Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens. The 4th Annual Butterfly Exhibit, titled “Simply Spring,” runs March 21-May 10. Visitors will be surrounded by live butterflies and, new this year, they’ll experience the beauty of exotic tropical butterflies, too. In the emergence area, the entire butterfly lifecycle can be observed, as butterflies emerge from their chrysalis and spread their wings for the first time. Several events and activities are offered to go along with the exhibit. On Saturdays, April 4-25, 8-9:20 a.m., folks can take part in a family-friendly breakfast, with food provided by Granite City. Cost is $9 ($11 nonresidents), and includes butterfly activities and crafts and admission into the exhibit. A live butterfly release is a beautiful and symbolic gesture of freedom, life and love, and Nicholas Conservatory is offering personal butterfly release celebrations. Folks can memorialize a loved one, honor a birthday, anniversary or wedding, or even pop the question in an unforgettable way. Call (815) 987-1654 for more information. Make It, Take It sessions, included with admission, offer kids a fun craft activity. On March 21, they’ll make Spring Has Sprung Hats, and on March 28, Caterpiller Magnets.

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Meltfest Celebrates Spring Continued from Cover

Huels, an assistant accounting professor at Rockford University, began talking with colleagues about the idea. “I got some enthusiastic response, and a group of us from the University and community began planning,” he says. “Some key pieces were provided, and it all just came together.” Meltfest was originally planned as an outdoor festival, with vendors, activities and entertainment set up on Madison Street and the Brewhouse parking lot, but last year’s weather prompted a change. “It was 40 degrees, really windy, and it was just too cold, so we moved everything inside the Brewhouse,” Huels says. “It was a squeeze, but we got everything to fit. The vendors came together and shared tables or condensed to help one another get set up.” Meltfest 2015 is an entirely indoor event – except for a 5K run, bike ride and kids’ fun run. “We had 20 vendors last year, and this year, we’ve got 45, selling everything from food and handmade soap to jewelry, clothing and other original products,” Huels says. It’s kind of like City Market.”

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Four local bands will provide live music throughout the day. “We tried to include something for everyone, focused around the melting idea,” Huels explains. “So one group plays rock, one plays folk, one is pop, and another is more easy listening.” The 5K begins at 10 a.m. at the Prairie Street Brewhouse and follows a nontraditional route. Runners head south on Madison Street, past the area that will become the Indoor Sports Complex, and cross the Morgan Street Bridge. “Heading north on Winnebago Street, they get a great view of the city and some of Rockford’s older manufacturing district,” says Huels. “Racers finish by looping back around and getting a great view of the soon-to-be transformed Amerock building. The route passes through three wards and highlights five of Rockford’s historic neighborhoods.” Runners finish back at the Brewhouse. “We’re expecting 200 runners this year, up from 130 last year,” Huels says. “Many of the out-of-town runners stayed for the event, which is great. Rockford is a great city, and we need to celebrate it ourselves and share it with others as often as we can.” Children’s activities have expanded this year. “We have a dedicated area for kids’ activities this year, which will be managed by volunteers from the Rockford Public Schools, Rockford Park District, Boylan Catholic High School, Rockford University, Tricoci University, the Rockford Fire Department, Nicholas Conservatory

R  O R and the Discovery Center,” Huels says. “Each has a craft or activity the kids can participate in, and it’s all free.” Other entertainment offerings include magic shows, balloon artists, princess and hero performances, and Pickles the Clown. “The new part I’m most excited about is the Kids’ Fun Run,” Huels says. “Rockford mascots are going to run with the kids – Reggie the Regent from RU, Hammy the Hog, Arvee the Golden Eagle from RVC, Rocko from the Rockford Aviators, Hubert the Lion from BMO Harris Bank, and Nelson the Sock Monkey.” Adults and kids can also take part in a noncompetitive group bike ride. “Spring is here, so let’s go for a bike ride,” Huels says. That begins at approximately 9:40 a.m. Riverview Ice House is also offering free skating and skate rental as part of Meltfest. Even though the kids’ fun run and bike ride are free, organizers request that participants register, so that they can plan accordingly. There’s no admission charge to attend Meltfest, and all activities are free. “The thing I’m noticing is that people don’t believe it’s free,” Huels says. “The only costs involved are the 5K, and if you decide to purchase something from a vendor. How can that be? Because we have supporters and sponsors who understand what we’re doing and what it means to the community.” Sponsors for Meltfest 2015 are BMO Harris Bank, Prairie Street Brewhouse, Rockford University and Rockford Art Deli.

Organizers want to emphasize that the festival makes no money. “A portion of all vendor and 5K entrance fees is donated to a local charity before we even look at covering event costs,” Huels says. This year, the charity recipient is Jeremiah Development, a nonprofit group led by church officials committed to improving their neighborhood around downtown Rockford. The rest goes for permits, performers – all of whom charge a discounted fee – and extra police security for the runs and bike ride. “If there’s any left, that is also donated to the selected charity,” Huels says. “None of us is doing this for a pat on the back or to get exposure. Everyone working on it just wants to grow our community spirit and let people celebrate spring together.” Huels, who moved to Rockford 12 years ago from Antioch, Ill., is part of Transform Rockford and wants to showcase the good things that Rockford has to offer. “This is a fantastic place to live,” he says. “We have so much to do and see. If you don’t want to come to Meltfest, Saturday is also movie day at the Coronado. Discovery Center is holding Bubblefest. There’s an Ice Hogs game that night. So much is going on in the community for people to take advantage of.” For a list of vendors and activities, or to register for the 5K, fun run or group bike ride, visit Meltfest.com. ❚

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EVERY MOMENT MATTERS

G R OW I N G TO S E RV E YO U OSF Center for Cancer Care expansion - Summer 2015 completion date.

Throughout a patientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cancer journey, every moment matters. Whether it be the moments spent living life and enjoying family and friends or the ones spent in treatment, those moments all make an impact on quality of life. That is why the team at the OSF Saint Anthony Center for Cancer Care puts the patient experience at the forefront of planning for the new cancer center expansion.

Center for Cancer Care Follow us on

www.osfsaintanthony.org

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March 18 Certified Quality Cancer Care: Recognizing Excellence

E X PA N S I O N PROJ E C T

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We’re h ere , for you.

Area’s best in patient safety FHN Memorial Hospital was recently recognized for a second year for our patient safety record by the world’s largest independent, non-profit product-

We at FHN are committed to a safe patient experience, and are proud that

and service-testing organization. In their second U.S. study, in which safety scores were calculated for nearly 2,000 hospitals, only 6% nationwide – and only four hospitals in Illinois – earned a score

FHN Memorial Hospital, which scored higher than any other hospital close to the communities it serves.*

as high or higher as

It is our goal to offer our communities the best possible healthcare services we can provide, and recognition such as this confirms our commitment to your confidence in our processes and capabilities. Whether you need surgery, cancer treatment or other specialty care close to home, a hand in welcoming a new baby into your life, help in handling a chronic health condition, or emergency care,

choose the best in the area for patient safety: FHN.

For more information, visit www.fhn.org or call 1-877-6000-FHN (1-877-600-0346).

* Within a 50-mile radius of Freeport

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FHN Rehabilitation Services: Get Back to Life

hysical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), and speech therapy are very broad fields within healthcare. According to Karen Christen, PT and director of FHN Rehabilitation Services, Occupational Health, Pain Clinic and Orthopedic Service Line, these types of rehabilitation services focus on returning patients to full function, ideally pain-free and without limitation. “We work to understand what’s important to the patient, not just to ensure that they can manage their regular everyday activities, but also to help them get back to the things they enjoy,” Christen says. “That can be anything from focusing their minds well enough to play bridge to being able to sit on the floor to play with their grandchildren, from getting back to a sport after an injury to gardening or walking their dog, or returning to work. It’s our job to find out what’s important to them, and then do everything we can to get them there.” Many people think of physical therapy in regard to rehabilitation following a stroke or heart attack, a car or workplace accident or surgery. However, physical therapists also can act independently of a traumatic situation, offering excellent non-surgical, drug-free options for conditions ranging from back pain and muscle tears to degenerative bone conditions like osteoarthritis and diseases such cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis.

So, when can physical therapy help? Anything keeping you from your optimum mobility and motion for daily tasks – whether that’s pain, problems with balance, or physical limitations – can be targeted during physical therapy. You work collaboratively with your physical therapist to develop a care plan focused on your personal needs and goals. Treatment by a physical therapist is rarely a passive activity, and participating in your own recovery is usually very rewarding. FHN’s Rehabilitation Services team, more than 40 people strong, was recently joined by Northern Illinois Physical Therapy. Treatment is available on an inpatient and outpatient basis for all ages, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, sports medicine and speech therapy, with specialists in all areas for both adult and pediatric patients. Specialty services include aquatherapy, lymphedema care, functional capacity evaluations, work conditioning, ASTYM (targeted soft-tissue treatment that stimulates the body’s healing response), pelvic health therapy (including treatments for incontinence and similar conditions), and athletic training. For more information or to arrange treatment, visit fhn.org or call (877)-600-0345, ext. 940. ❚

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Y F

Carrie Rodriguez March 19, 7 p.m. (Doors open at 6 p.m.) This fiddler, singer and songwriter from Austin, Texas, has toured with Rickie Lee Jones, John Prine, & others. $20 in advance/$25 at the door. Severson Dells Nature Center, 8786 Montague Road, Winnebago, (815) 335-2915, seversondells.org. RV, Camping & Travel Show March 20-22, Fri. 2-8 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. See the latest in RVs, campers and camping equipment; visit with representatives for lodges & campsites; more. ISSC, 8800 E. Riverside Blvd., landroproductions.com. Bubble Festival March 21, shows 9 a.m.; 10:30 a.m.; noon.; 1:30 p.m.; 2:30 p.m.; 3:30 p.m. Bubble-Palooza Playground; bubble art and activities; shows by bubble celebrity Geoffrey Akins. Not included with admission. Discovery Center, Rockford, discoverycentermuseum.org. Make Lithuanian-Style Easter Eggs March 21, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. make your own dyed Easter egg in Lithuanian style. Drop-in program. Also explore the many ways Lithuanian immigrants have impacted Rockford. Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford, midwayvillage.com. 22nd Annual Egg Artistry Show & Sale March 21-22, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. See fantastic works of art created from eggshells; purchase egging supplies; and vote for your favorite artistic eggshell creation. Midway Village Museum, Rockford, midwayvillage.com. Meltfest 2015 March 21, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Live music & entertainment, 5K run, bike ride, kids’ fun run, children’s activities, vendors. Free. Pay only for vendor purchases or 5K participation. Prairie Street Brewhouse, 200 Prairie St., Rockford, meltfest.com. Memphis March 26, 7:30 p.m. Broadway at the Coronado. The story of DJ Huey Calhoun, a good ole’ local boy with a passion for R&B music and Felicia Farrell, an up-and-coming black singer who’s ready for her big break. CPAC, Rockford, coronadopac.org. Charlotte’s Web: Eclectica March 27, 7:30 p.m. The genre-defying trio features Grammy Award-winning drummer Roy Wooten, electric violin virtuoso Tracy Silverman, and bass legend Steve Forrest. Eclectica weaves sound-pieces together with percussion, electric

See the hit Broadway musical Memphis, March 26, at the Coronado Theatre in Rockford.

violin and bass, with a unique groove, sing-along choruses and creative jams. MPAC, Rockford, (815) 964-9713, mendelssohnpac.org. Symphony Saturdays March 28, April 5, 11 a.m.-noon. RSO musicians perform three family-friendly concerts featuring the instruments of the orchestra in a fun and engaging presentation. Musical Instrument Playground offered following the performance, with the chance to play some of the instruments. Riverfront Museum Park, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 972-2800, riverfrontmuseumpark.org. Crystal Trio March 28, 3 p.m. This unique group from Russia plays popular classical works on special glass instruments: glass harp, glass pan flute, verrophone. Freeport Community Concert Association (FCCA). Masonic Temple, 305 W. Stephenson St., Freeport. For tickets, call (815) 232-4214. RSO: An American Salute March 28, 7:30 p.m. Steve Larsen, conductor; Morton Gould: American Salute; Steve Heitzeg & Amy Scurria: We Are Met at Gettysburg; Aaron Copland: Symphony No. 3. CPAC, Rockford, rockfordsymphony.org. Amphion String Quartet March 29, 3 p.m. Internationally renowned, young and vibrant musicians who play with brilliance and intensity. CPAC, Rockford, from RCCA, rccaconcerts.net. ❚

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WDL

Restaurant of the Week

Olympic Tavern Keeps Customers Happy By Peggy Werner

he Olympic Tavern, 2327 N. Main St., has been a familyowned Rockford icon for 70 years, always changing with the times and giving customers what they want. The business has come a long way from the days when Anthony Rotello opened a little place where factory workers could get a burger and beer on the corner of Main and Fulton. When Anthony’s son, Tom, took over the business, in the 1990s, he fulfilled his vision of a full-service restaurant, three times larger, with a fireplace and lots of atmosphere. Zach, the third generation of Rotellos to work in the restaurant, is beer director and an authority on craft beers.The beer menu changes daily, and lists 28 draft beers in order from lightest to darkest, with a description of the style, alcohol content and price. Daily specials are seasonal items not on the menu, ranging in price from $14 to $19. Monday night is always burger night, with a half-pound burger and fries for $5 (no carry outs). The $12 Friday night fish fry includes cod with all the trimmings. The patio, which seats 80 and is open seasonally,

Top Picks for Local Restaurants Amici Italian Grill  Upscale-Casual. 5506 Clayton Circle, Roscoe, (815) 623-7171. LD Sun-Th 11am-9pm, F-Sat 10pm. $-$$. Bravo Pizza  Italian/American. 376 Prairie Hill Rd., South Beloit, (815) 624-7900. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat 11pm. $. Café Fromage  Casual/American. Regional foods. 431 E. Grand Ave., Beloit, (608) 312-2070. BrLD M-F 7am-6pm, SatSun 8am-5pm. $.

just got all new furniture from Village Green. The Olympic remodeled, updated and expanded its bar about three years ago. Although the business climate has changed, neighborhood and other local people still support The Olympic. “The public makes us who we are. We are the living room Zach Rotello of the neighborhood – a place where people can stop between work and home – and we’ll do the dishes for you,” he says. Zach has a good role model in his father, who still works every day. “He taught me not to settle for second best and to always strive to be the best I can be,” he says. “Our business is about hospitality and making people feel welcomed, whether it’s greeting customers with a smile or doing something special for them on birthdays and anniversaries. We’re just one of a very few places that has called Rockford home for this long.” ❚

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

In the Spotlight

Maciano’s Pizza & Pastaria  Casual. Beer/wine. 6746 Broadcast Pkwy., Loves Park, (815) 963-7869. LD Sun-Th 11am10pm, F-Sat 11pm. $$.

Cannova’s

Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint  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  Takeout/delivery. 6560 N. Alpine, Loves Park, (815) 877-9888. LD daily 11am.

Olympic Tavern  Casual/American. Daily specials, Fri. fish fry, 28 craft beers on tap. 2327 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) Cannova’s Italian Cuisine  Casual. 1101 W. Empire St., Free- 962-8758. LD M-Sat 11am-2am. $-$$ port, (815) 233-0032. D T-Th, Sun 5-9pm; F-Sat 10pm. $-$$. Pearl Bistro  Casual. Brick oven pizza, burgers, sandwiches, Ciao Bella Ristorante  Upscale-Casual/Italian-American. Ex- appetizers, steak, seafood, signature cocktails. 6876 Spring tensive wine list; daily specials. 6500 E. Riverside, Loves Park, Creek, Rockford, (815) 654-3400. LD daily. $-$$. (815) 654-9900. LD M-F 11am-9pm, Sat 5-9pm. $$. Prairie Street Brewhouse  Upscale-Casual/American. 200 Costa’s Ristorante  Upscale-Casual. 133 Blackhawk Dr., By- Prairie St., Rockford, (815) 277-9427. LD Sun-W 11am-10pm, ron, Ill., (815) 234-4707. Open daily 4pm. $-$$. Th to midnight, F-Sat to 2am. $-$$. Dos Reales  Casual/Mexican. Authentic Mexican fare, lunch Sisters Thai Café  Casual/Thai-Laotian. Authentic cuisine. menu. 5855 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 227-4979. LD Sun-Th In Clock Tower Resort, 7801 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 22911am-10pm, F-Sat to 10:30pm. $-$$. 4545. L M-Sat 11am-2:30pm; D Sun-Th 5-9pm, Sat 10pm. $. Giordano’s Famous Stuffed Pizza  Casual/Italian. Pick-up/ delivery. 333 Executive Pkwy., Rockford, Ill. (815) 398-5700. Tavern on Clark  Casual/American. 755 Clark Ave., Rockford, (815) 708-7088. LD daily 10am. $-$$. LD Sun-Th 9am-11p.m; F-Sat to midnight. $. JMK Nippon Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar  Upscale- This Is It Eatery  Casual/American. 16 N. Chicago Ave., Casual. Food cooked tableside. 2551 N. Perryville, Rockford, Freeport, (815) 616-5449. LD T-Th 11am-8pm, F-Sat 10pm. $. (815) 877-0505. L T-F 11:30am-2pm, Sat 2:30pm; D M-Th Vito’s Ristorante  Casual/Authentic Italian. 1620 N. Bell 5-9:30pm, F-Sat 10:30pm, Sun 4:30-9:30pm. $$. School Rd., Rockford, (815) 312-5080. LD T-Sat 11am. $$. ❚

annova’s has been serving up authentic Italian dishes and pizza since Anthony and Philippina Cannova started the restaurant 1921. Today, their granddaughter, Linda, and her husband, Patrick Beckman, carry on the tradition, at 1101 W. Empire St. They use many original recipes for pizza, spaghetti sauce, Italian beef, fresh bread and pizza dough. House specials include a Sicilian ﬁlet, marinated in olive oil and red wine; Italian-style baked cod; and seafood Alfredo. Linda’s made-from-scratch desserts include tiramisu, cheesecake and chocolate spoon cake. Then there are the award-winning pizzas: the Classic; the New York; the double-crusted Gloria Read, named for a longtime customer; and the Sicilian. Cannova’s is open Sun.-Tues. 5-10 p.m. and Fri.-Sat. until 11 p.m. ❚

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March 18

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March 18

T  I

RSC Promotes Patient Safety E

ach year, the National Patient Safety Foundation designates a week in March as National Patient Safety Awareness Week. The 2015 theme is “United in Safety,” identifying common issues and showing how patients and health care providers can unite to increase safety. Rockford Spine Center (RSC) physicians are proactive in their efforts to provide a safe and caring environment for patients, so they can get the treatment they need with the best possible outcome. RSC is focused on three specific areas of patient safety: • Correct diagnosis: RSC takes the time to get a thorough patient history and exam while performing the appropriate tests. This process allows doctors to diagnose conditions correctly and offer the best treatment options. • Lowering infection: RSC devised a new method to reduce post-surgical infections and is sharing it with surgeons across the country. RSC has switched from an intravenous version of the antibiotic Vancomycin to a powder version following spine surgeries. It has resulted in a lower infection rate, from the national average of 2.4 to 0.2 percent. • Enhanced communication: At RSC, patients are brought in for several visits, in order to ensure an understanding of their conditions and provide a detailed explanation of treatment options. Patients also are encouraged to bring family members for an added layer of communication and understanding of options. “We encourage patients to ask questions so they understand what’s happening and why,” says Dr. Christopher Sliva, Rockford Spine Center. “This adds another level of safety in health care. We want to give patients their lives back and ensure safety throughout the process.” RSC’s team of experts uses a multidisciplinary approach to treat spinal disorders. For more information, visitrockfordspine.com. ❚ Source: Rockford Spine Center

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March 18

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March 18

Y M

Tax Tips for Divorced or Separated Parents By Glen Greenberg

n most cases, because of the residency test, a child of divorced or separated parents is the qualifying child of the custodial parent. However, a child will be treated as the qualifying child or qualifying relative of his or her noncustodial parent (the parent with whom the child lived for the lesser part of the tax year) if all of the following apply: 1) The parents are divorced, legally separated, separated under a written separation agreement, or lived apart at all times during the last six months of the tax year. 2) The child received over half of his or her support for the tax year from the parents (without regard to the rules on multiple support agreements). Support of a child received from a

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parent’s spouse (step-mom or step-dad) is treated as provided by the parent. 3) The child is in custody of one or both of the parents for more than half of the tax year. 4) Either of the following applies: a) The custodial parent signs form 8332, release/revocation of release of claim to exemption for child by custodial parent, or a substantially similar statement that he or she will not claim the child as a dependent for the tax year and the non-custodial parent attached it to the return, or b) A pre-1985 decree of divorce or separate maintenance or written separation agreement between the parents that applies to the tax year provides that the non-custodial parent provided at least $600 for support of the child during the tax year. For post-2008 decrees or agreements, the non-custodial parent must use Form 8332 to claim an

exemption deduction. Pages from the divorce decree or agreement that are similar to form 8332 in substance are no longer allowed. Court cases arising from disputes over which divorced parent gets to claim a child as a dependent usually center on the signing or lack of signing Form 8332, and issues concerning who has custody for more than half of the year. ❚ Glenn Greenberg is president of Professional Accounting & Tax Service, 2955 11th St., Rockford. He is a CPA and tax professional.

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Smart Living Weekly

March 18

Smart Living Weekly

Issue 1