Smart L iving Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • Rockford Region/Beloit/Freeport 95¢ • Feb. 26, 2020
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Right in Our Region
Guitar Great
Joe Bonamassa Comes to Coronado
See Page 16
Get Ready for PaleoFest! How to Tackle Those Pet Odors Have You Donated Blood Lately? Think Ahead to Prevent Legal Messes
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$25 Gift Card to Cucina Di Rosa See Pg. 28 Details
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In This Issue
Right in Our Region ........................Cover & p. 16 Guitar Great Joe Bonamassa Comes to Town Your Home ................................................. 11, 19 Tackle Pet Odors; Stress-free Renovating Inspiration & Worship ......................................12 The Good Life Your Kitchen ......................................................15 Cooking with Peanuts Your Outing ...................................................9, 24 PaleoFest 2020; Don’t Miss Out on Winter Beauty Your Outdoor Living .................................. ....... 21 It’s Not Too Early to Think About Lawncare Your Community ........................................ ....... 22 Blood Donations Urgently Needed Your Health ............................................. .......... 23 Why Your Central Nervous System Matters Restaurant of the Week ................................... 26 Salamone North Your Money ....................................................... 29 Prevent Legal Messes by Thinking Ahead
Smart L iving ™
Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Managing Editor Lindsey Gapen Lukas Assistant Managing Editor Jermaine Pigee Editor Emeritus Janine Pumilia Multimedia Editor Sara Myers Graphics Director Blake Nunes Graphic Designer Samantha Behling Contributing Writer Peggy Werner, Paula Kalivoda Furniss General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes Advertising Sales Representatives Brian Hughes, Jeremy Jones, Nita Lasky, Sherri Saleh Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes Distribution Kelly Fairbairn Website www.SmartLivingWeekly.com Published by Hughes Media Corp. 222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104 (815) 316-2300, Fax: (815) 316-2301 lhughes@northwestquarterly.com Smart Living Weekly. Copyright 2020 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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Leaping Lions! S
o here comes March, “In like a lion and out like a lamb.” “Where does that phrase come from?” I asked my pal, Google, on one cloudy day in February. (Yes, I need to get out more.) Some folks say the phrase relates to the rising constellation Aries, which means “ram” in Latin and is March 21 to April 19. But Leo is the lion and doesn’t show up until July, so I’m confused ... Others relate it to Jesus Christ, the sacrificial “lamb of God,” since Easter nearly always falls between these dates, being the first Sunday after the full moon that falls on or after March 21. Some feel the Lion of Judah in the Old Testament transforms to the Christian lamb, Jesus Christ, post-resurrection. Easter 2020 is April 12, by the way. But being an Occam’s Razor kind of gal, I tend to think the phrase just means the weather gets nicer in March. This March we have primary election day and St. Patrick’s Day conveniently combined on March 17. So if your candidate loses, or wins, you can drown your sorrows, or celebrate, with green beer. If you’re interested in becoming an election judge, Winnebago County Clerk Lori Gummow is looking for some. Call her at (815) 319-4252 or go to winnebagocountyclerk.com. Leprechauns and sneaky Russians need not apply. Another noteworthy date is March 8, when we “spring forward” one hour, maybe for the last time. Illinois is among states advocating to make daylight saving time the year-round standard. This would conserve energy, lower traffic injuries and reduce crime, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. This may be the only issue in current politics for which I hold no strong opinion. Before March arrives, we’ll experience Leap Day, which is a personal day for doing whatever the heck you want to do. Go ahead and binge watch “Iron Chef” all day or read spring seed catalogs from your bubble bath or take a hike or anything else that floats your boat. Your boss is OK with this, since Feb. 29 is a Saturday! Whatever you do, we hope you’ll “think local” and have a lot of fun! ❚ Janine Pumilia SLW Editor
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Mariachi!
The ESO is excited to collaborate with Mariachi Acero for this one of a kind performance. Hailed from Las Vegas, Mariachi Acero takes pride in learning the most recent contemporary Mariachi “Exitos” of today, while preserving the classic “Canciones” of yesterday! Join us for a night of music, culture, and dance. Saturday, March 7th @ 7:30 PM Hemmens Cultural Center
Box Office: 847-888-4000 www.ElginSymphony.org 8
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Prehistoric Adventure at PaleoFest March 6-8 By Peggy Werner
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he 21st annual PaleoFest at Burpee Museum of Natural History March 6-8 promises prehistoric adventure for adults and children alike. “It’s a celebration of all things prehistoric,” says Anne Weerda, executive director of the Burpee Museum at 737 N. Main St., Rockford. “We bring in speakers from around the world to talk about their research. These speakers are internationally known scientists currently active in the field of paleontology. “We have speakers who will talk about dinosaurs, and also some who will talk about reptiles of the sea. It’s not just dinosaurs.” As an example, one speaker
will talk about amber, or fossilized resin from ancient forests. “We’ll have a station where you can see some of the research and learn about why things get trapped in amber, how they get fossilized, and how research is done on amber,” Weerda explains. The entire museum is transformed during PaleoFest and stations are set up throughout for both children and adults. Each one reflects a type of research currently occurring in paleontology. The event also offers family friendly lectures and workshops in which scientists discuss their research in a more consumable way for children, Weerda says. Last year, one speaker spoke on
Triceratops, and how researchers can tell how old the Triceratops is just from inspecting its bones. A student symposium takes place Friday, March 6. A members-only reception is at 6 p.m. with a keynote presentation at 7 p.m. March 7 and 8 are the official festival days. Learn more at burpee.org. ❚
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Tackle Pet Odors Quickly and Completely By Peggy Werner
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here are a lot of reasons why pets will do their business in places they shouldn’t. Sometimes the solution is as easy as treating a pet’s physical problem, such as clearing up a urinary infection with antibiotics. Other times there are behavioral reasons that may take longer to resolve. Either way, the result is the same – soiled floors and carpets. Once Fluffy or Fido has eliminated in an area of the home, chances are good they’ll return to that spot and do it again. This may become a chronic problem, unless addressed completely and quickly, says Chris Picot, general manager of Advantage Kwik Dry, 11137 Bertram Road, Machesney Park, a full-service restoration and cleaning company. It takes more than surface carpet cleaning to eliminate the odor, he says. Advantage Kwik Dry takes extra steps to deep clean the carpet, padding and floor.
“The better an area is cleaned, the less likely it is that a pet will return to that spot,” he says. When carpets have been cleaned, homeowners should keep air circulating in the home to allow carpets to dry within the recommended 24 hours. Advantage Kwik Dry is a family-owned business that’s operated in the Stateline area for more than 25 years. All technicians are certified, licensed, bonded and insured, and the business guarantees its work. The company is also a member of the Carpet and Fabric Care Institute and takes advantage of educational opportunities to stay on the cutting edge of technology. The company is experienced in all types of cleaning processes, wet and dry, for homes and businesses, including
drapery cleaning, carpets, oriental and area rugs, upholstery, tile and grout, hardwood cleaning and recoating, fabric and fiber protection, pet odor removal, major odor treatment, water removal and sewage cleanup. For more information, coupons, and to schedule an appointment, go to advantagekwikdry.com or call (815) 332-3299 in Illinois and (608) 758-2379 in Southern Wisconsin. ❚
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The Good Life E
very society defines “the good life” by its own values. We define it using metrics of financial success, relationships, health and personal freedoms, among others. We define it within a framework of “What is life giving to me?” Jesus Christ tells us (Matthew 22:36-40) that the good life is the very opposite: Us loving God more than anything else and caring for people (not just those we already love, either). He tells us this because he loves us. Selflessness is incompatible with societal values; he knows this and says “do it anyway.” Mark 10:17-31 (NIV): As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good – except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’” “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!” “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields – along with persecutions – and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” ❚ – Janine Pumilia 12
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Protein-Packed Peanut Butter Breakfast (in Video) R Peanut Butter Breakfast Bread Pudding with Maple Peanut Sauce
Recipe courtesy of the Georgia Peanut Commission Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 35-40 minutes Servings: 4
2/3 2 1/2 2/3 1 1/2 1/2
Butter cup creamy peanut butter, divided eggs cup granulated sugar cup milk teaspoons pure vanilla extract teaspoon salt
4
2/3 1/3
cups cubed brioche or challah bread, cut into 3/4-inch cubes cup pure maple syrup cup crushed peanuts powdered sugar, for garnish
Heat oven to 350 F. Butter four 4-ounce ramekins. In bowl, mix 1/3 cup peanut butter, eggs, sugar, milk, vanilla and salt. Toss bread cubes in mixture until thoroughly coated. Divide evenly among prepared dishes. Bake until custard is set in middle and tops are golden, about 3540 minutes. If tops of bread brown too quickly, cover ramekins loosely with aluminum foil. In small saucepan over low heat, combine remaining peanut butter and maple syrup until thoroughly warmed. To serve, drizzle ramekins with maple-peanut sauce and garnish with chopped peanuts and powdered sugar.
(Family Features photo)
ecipes that are both nutritious and flavorful can help bring your loved ones together at the family table. Power up your family meals with protein-packed dishes like Peanut Butter Breakfast Bread Pudding with Maple Peanut Sauce. Find the full recipe at Culinary.net.
Substitution: Whole wheat rolls may be used in place of brioche or challah bread. ❚ Source: Family Features
Watch this video for tips on making your breakfast! To view this video, simply: 1) Download the Wikitude app 2) Open the app and search “SLM” 3) Scan this entire page using the app’s AR Lens
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Guitar Great Joe Bonamassa at Coronado By Peggy Werner
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ailed internationally as one of the greatest guitar players of his generation, Joe Bonamassa returns to Coronado Performing Arts Center for a one-night performance at 8 p.m. Monday, March 9. Bonamassa says he looks forward to performing in Rockford, where he has a strong fan base and feels well received, having played here in 2013 and 2015. “With every performance, my sole goal is to entertain and hopefully become a better songwriter, singer and performer,” he says. The 2020 tour began mid-February in Montgomery, Ala., and will wind up in Seattle at the end of March. The concert will feature new songs from an album that will be released in October, as well as familiar tunes. The new album was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London and is described by the
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artist as “blues with a British influence.” “It’s been on my bucket list to do a British blues album,” he says. At 42, the artist performs more than 100 shows each year and is on the road more than 200 days per year. He’s booked for the next two years. The 2020 tour will take him to South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Ohio before he arrives in Rockford. Then, he’ll travel north to Milwaukee and Green Bay, Wis., before performing in Minneapolis, Boise, Spokane and Seattle. Next he’ll head to Europe, where he’ll perform 17 concerts, with stops in England, Germany and Russia before headlining the Mediterranean edition of his Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea festival, which sails from Spain this August. Bonamassa began playing guitar at age 4 in Utica, NY. It was his childhood
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dream to play guitar like Stevie Ray Vaughan, one of the greatest guitar players of all time. Vaughan spearheaded a blues revival in the 1980s and was an American musician, singer, songwriter and record producer before he died in a 1990 helicopter crash at age 35. Bonamassa was also inspired by the talent of Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix. At just 12 years old, Bonamassa was invited to open for another one of his heroes, B. B. King. He was playing regularly around New York and in 1994 joined a band called Bloodline. He also played with Black Country Communion from 2009 to 2013 and then with Rock Candy Funk Party. With 37 albums to his credit and two Grammy nominations, the most recent one in 2017, some of his best-selling singles include “Woke Up Dreaming,”
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“Blue and Evil,” “Just Got Paid,” “Driving Toward the Daylight,” “Songs of Yesterday,” “Sloe Gin, “The Ballad of John Henry” and “Mountain Time.” He records his albums on his own label, J&R Adventures, which he established with his manager Roy Weisman. The label is also a management, marketing and concert promotion company
that’s existed for more than a decade and thrives on an innovative business model that survives the ups and downs of the music industry. Weisman has been Bonamassa’s only manager for his entire career. Knowing the impact music had on his life as a child and the passion he still has for it today, Bonamassa wants to help others to discover the joy of
music. In 2011, he founded the Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation, whose mission is to keep the art of music in schools by funding projects, scholarships and grants that preserve music education for the next generation. “I want to give back and enrich the
children’s lives through music they can enjoy today while developing talents that will last a lifetime,” he says. “It’s important for me to do this because charity starts at home.” Every week, the foundation donates to a different school across the country in need of instruments, sheet music, supplies and more to uphold the rich culture and history of blues and all other types of music. Having raised more than $600,000 since its inception, the foundation has impacted more than 70,000 students in all 50 states through more than 450 projects. To promote the foundation, he sponsors two music festival cruises a year called “Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea,” featuring some of today’s biggest blues acts. His other recent accomplishments include receiving the Guitar World Magazine Best Blues Guitar Player Award in 2019 and hosting SiriusXM’s Different Shades of Blue with Joe Bonamassa on Bluesville channel 74 on Mondays. ❚
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Take the Stress Out of Home Renovations By Peggy Werner
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enovation doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. Macktown Construction, 9957 N. Alpine Road, Machesney Park, offers one-stop convenience to make the process easier. Its Cedar & Stone Cabinetry and Flooring showroom is 2,400 square feet large and carries a full line of cabinets, flooring, cabinet hardware, countertops and lighting to help people make choices, says President Tony Bonnet. “We want to create a better overall experience for our customers. In this business for more than 15 years, one thing that stands out is just how overwhelming and stressful it can be for people trying to make choices,” Bonnet says. Macktown specializes in kitchen and bathroom renovations and adheres to a seven-step process to make sure construction projects run smoothly with minimal surprises.
“When it comes to remodeling, you can find a lot of buried headaches in the areas of plumbing, electrical work and framing. Often they can’t be seen at first. We want to make sure we have everything covered and there are no surprises,” he says. Macktown Construction offers a free in-home consultation. Its profession-
als discuss goals and fears a customer may have regarding the project and give advice. A pre-construction meeting takes place before the project begins. When work is finished, a warranty is delivered and followup appointments ensure satisfaction, Bonnet says. When thinking about a home remodeling project, people need to have an idea in mind of how they want an area to look and what they’re willing to invest. “The first thing we always want to know is why someone wants to make a change, whether it’s to update an existing space, open up an area, or another goal,” he says. Learn more at macktownconstruction.com. ❚
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It’s Not Too Early to ThinkAbout Lawn Care By Peggy Werner
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t never hurts to be one step ahead of nature when it comes to having a greatlooking lawn, says Tim Kinney, general manager of Lincoln Rent-All Sales and Services Inc. “Believe it or not, people start thinking about spring lawn projects and getting equipment ready for use around midFebruary,” he says. For that reason, his company is offering free pickup and delivery of Toro lawnmowers needing tune-ups, at its Auburn Street location now through April 1. The service includes oil change, new air filter, new fuel filter (if necessary), new belts, blades, a drain and flush of fuel lines, quality fuel and a power washing of the unit. Lincoln Rent-All specializes in sales and service of the brands it sells, whether or not it sold the equipment. It carries
Toro lawnmowers and Stihl hand-held equipment such as leaf blowers, chain saws, hedge trimmers as well as earthmoving equipment, small construction tools and party and event supplies. If you’re in the market for a new lawnmower this spring, it’s a good time to buy one because of improvements made in recent years, Kinney says. “Improvements in suspension systems have made riding lawn mowers so much more comfortable to operate. Better shock absorbers, electric start and other changes make walk-behind mowers easier to operate, too,” he says.
Kinney recommends sharpening mower blades every year to cultivate a clean, crisp, healthy lawn. A dull blade makes a lawn look matted, ragged and dull, he says. It pays to rent some equipment like aerators and dethatchers. Aerators generally sell for thousands, but can be rented for $40 for three hours or $90 for a day. An aerator perforates the soil with small holes to allow air, water and nutrients to reach deep roots more efficiently. Dethatching removes dead grass that would otherwise hinder new growth. Lincoln Rent-All has two Rockford locations; 6625 E. Riverside Blvd. and 3110 Auburn St. For more information, call the Riverside location at (815) 6339322 and the Auburn location at (815) 968-0931. Both locations are open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. ❚
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Blood Donations Still Urgently Needed By Peggy Werner
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t’s time for us to have a change of heart about donating blood. Any one of us might suddenly need to receive it, yet only a fraction of us are donating it. Rock River Valley Blood Center CEO Lisa Entrikin says donations are up a bit since the center made an urgent request in early February to respond to the blood shortage, but it hasn’t made up for the deficit that exists. “We’re asking people to step up, especially if they’ve never given or haven’t given for a while,” she says. The blood center needs to see 700 donors per week to provide the needed blood products and services to 10 regional hospitals in Illinois and Wisconsin. “The area we serve has a population of 500,000 people, but only 16,000 people donated blood in 2019. If everyone who was eligible gave just two times a
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year, we would never have a shortage,” she says. It takes only 10 minutes to give blood. The rest of the hour-long appointment is spent getting registered, filling out a health questionnaire, having your temperature and blood pressure taken, and enjoying refreshments. If you think you’re not eligible to give blood, call the center to make sure. Some people wrongly assume they can’t give because of medications they’re on, she says. “If someone can’t give blood for a particular reason, it’s most likely a temporary situation and will not disqualify them permanently,” she says. Winter weather and a bad flu season have kept people from donating. “Last week (Feb. 2-9) our cancellations were up 40 percent because of the
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flu and our walk-ins were down by 20 percent,” she says. Donations have been down for about a month in our region, and the problem is nationwide. RRVBC has four donor locations: 419 N. 6th St. and 3065 N. Perryville in Rockford; 1740 S. State St. in Belvidere; and 461 E. South St. in Freeport. Check the website at rrvbc.org to see where the mobile blood center is located daily. Make appointments online or call (815) 965-8751. ❚
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A Healthy Central Nervous System Matters By Peggy Werner
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t’s always a good time to take a personal inventory of what bad habits we have and to take steps to replace them with good habits – all leading to better health. Most everyone knows the benefits of stress management, proper nutrition and getting enough rest and exercise, but they may not be aware of how vital a healthy central nervous system is to experiencing success in all these areas, says Chiropractor Kory Spear of The Joint at Forest Plaza, next to Kohl’s, at 6139 E. State St. “It all works hand in hand,” says Spear. “If you’re stressed, you can’t sleep well; if you can’t sleep well, you can’t handle stress. If a person isn’t eating right and getting enough rest, energy levels suffer and they’re more prone to injury,” he says. “I believe wellness is about continual improvement and is not a goal, but
an ongoing process.” Chiropractors specialize in the proper alignment of the spine to control pain, tightness, inflammation, tenderness and other problems. The spine and brain make up the central nervous system, which is the main communication center in the body. Unless everything is in alignment, the communication lines don’t remain open and the body can’t function at optimal levels, says Spear. People are not always aware they need an adjustment, but see improvement when they have one, he says. The Joint is a new concept in chiropractic care, with 440 locations nationwide that offer more affordable and more convenient adjustment appointments by not accepting insurance and passing those savings along to the customer. The Joint accepts walk-ins from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m.
to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. New patients may call to schedule an appointment, but follow-up visits are walkin only. The Joint staff includes Clinic Owner and Director Dr. Dan Cammarano of Aurora and Illinois Board Certified Chiropractors Dr. John Staranko, and Spear. For more information, visit thejoint. com or call (815) 977-4316. ❚
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Experience Winter Beauty in Local Preserves Y By Peggy Werner
ou know who owns our public forest preserves and parks? We the people do! So let’s get out and enjoy them, no matter what season it is. Winter is a great time for outdoor discovery, says Jamie Johannsen, Forest Preserves of Winnebago County marketing and community relations manager. The forest preserves, Severson Dells and Rocktown Adventures have teamed up to encourage outdoor fun. “Winter offers some of the best opportunities for wildlife observation,” says Johannsen.
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Severson Dells Naturalist/Educator Andrea Wallace Noble says many animals are especially active during mild winters, like the one we’ve had so far. “Every species has a different way of handling winter, but most stay active unless they have to protect themselves from the harshest weather conditions,” she says. “I appreciate this time of year because you can see so much. Dress right and you can enjoy nature at any time.” Kevin Versino, general manager of Rocktown Adventures, 313 N. Madison St., organizes guided snowshoe hikes throughout the winter that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities.
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“If you can put one foot in front of the other, you can snowshoe and you don’t even need a lot of snow. Snowshoeing is the fastest growing winter sport,” he says. Check out the event schedule at rocktownadventures.com. Johannsen says walk-in use is welcomed at all forest preserve locations. Some hard paths are kept cleared of snow. Visit winnebagoforest.org to see a list of areas accessible by vehicles and hard paths for pedestrian use during the winter. ❚
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
Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
Winter Fun Attractions & Events
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.
RAM: Sonic Disruptions: Buisch & Hogin Thru May 25, daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Thu. to 7 p.m. Chair of Painting and Sculpture at the U Rockford, IL 61101 1.800.521.0849 of I, Laurie Hogin creates gorockford.com beautiful yet bizarre landscapes. Derrick Buisch, a professor at the U of WI, Madison, creates evocative imagery with moments of uneasy hilarity. Rockford Art Museum (RAM), 711 N. Main St., (815) 9682787, rockfordartmuseum.org. 9/10/07 2:07:37 PM
Love, Sex and the IRS Thru March 1, Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 2 & 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. To save money, two out of work musicians rooming together in NYC file taxes as though they are married. When the IRS announces an audit, the situation gets complicated. Pec Playhouse, 314 Main St., Pecatonica, Ill, (815) 239-1210, pecplayhouse.org. Book Discussion: The Invention of Wings Feb. 27, 6:30-8 p.m. Nordlof Center, Rockford. Info: rockfordpubliclibrary.org. 'Triumph of Love' Feb. 27-29, Thu.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. A chamber musical adaptation of the classic French comedy of the same name, the show is full of deception, gender confusion and comic buffoonery; multiple romantic story lines collide as Princess Leonide and the handsome Agis must decide which is the more powerful force, the mind or the heart. Maddox Theatre, Rockford University, Rockford, (815) 226-4100, rockford.edu. Charlotte’s Web: The Legacy Show Feb. 28, 7:30 p.m. A musical, cultural and historical journey guided by the work of prolific African-American creative artists. The program features classical music infused with spirituals, blues, gospel, hip-hop and jazz, portraying the themes of the Antebellum Period, the Harlem Renaissance, the Civil Rights Era and modern times. MPAC, Mendelssohn Hall, Rockford, (815) 964-9713, mendelssohnpac.org. On Stage: Jim and Sam Feb. 28, 8 p.m. Join the LA-based husbandwife singer-songwriter duo of Jim Hanft and Samantha Yonack on stage, as they make beautiful music together. Coronado PAC, Rockford, (815) 968-0595, coronadopac.org. Improv Comedy Feb. 28, 8 p.m. Local improvisers pick suggestions from the audience, then create humor-
Celebrate the journey of African-American creative artists at The Legacy Show Feb. 28.
ous sketches. Janesville Performing Arts Center (JPAC), 408 S. Main St., Janesville, (608) 758-0297, janesvillepac.org. Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Feb. 29-March 1, Sat. 12:30 & 7:30 p.m., Sun. 1:30 p.m. Hot Wheels truck toys come to life in a kid-focused performance. BMO Harris Bank Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford, (815) 968-5222, thebmoharrisbankcenter.com. Banana Wind Feb. 29, 7:30 p.m. Dig out that Hawaiian shirt and enjoy a night of music, beach-themed drinks, while celebrating the music of Jimmy Buffett. JPAC, Janesville, (608) 758-0297, janesvillepac.org. George Lopez Feb. 29, 8 p.m. Lopez’s comedy examines race and ethnic relations, including MexicanAmerican culture. Coronado PAC, Rockford, (815) 968-0595, coronadopac.org. Guided Winter Hikes Sat.-Sun. through March 29, 11 a.m. Discover the winter beauty at Starved Rock State Park. Starved Rock Lodge, Oglesby, (815) 220-7386, starvedrocklodge.com. Four Icons March 1, 3-5 p.m. Doug Stivers, Chip Messiner and Trinadora Rocks perform the music of Brenda Lee, Buddy Holly, Kenny Rogers, Johnny Cash and Roy Orbison, as well as that of Patsy Cline and John Denver. Tickets at trinadora. com. or by phone (815) 979-1949. Spring Creek United Church of Christ, Rockford, (815) 877-2576, springcreekucc.org. ❚
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Salamone’s North: Italian Cuisine with a Twist
By Mika Doyle
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ockford residents don’t have to drive to Cherry Valley to get their Salamone’s fix. The family-run establishment has a second location called Salamone’s North tucked inside the shopping plaza on the corner of Mulford and Spring Creek roads in Rockford. The location is owned and operated by Phil Salamone (twin brother to Benny, the owner of Salamone’s Downtown Cherry Valley) and Phil’s wife, Brieanna. Phil helped to manage the Cherry Valley location for 11 years and decided it was time to branch out and run his own restaurant. He’d been looking for a good location for about a year when this spot became available. Many residents will remember it as the former Angelo’s Restaurant and, later, Joey C’s. “I wanted to create a family experience where people could come and have great food with a great atmosphere and
just have a nice night out,” says Phil. The menu is mostly the same as Salamone’s Downtown Cherry Valley but there are some items you won’t find on the Cherry Valley menu, including a prime rib special on Saturdays and Sicilian baked chicken. The North location also uses a sweeter sauce in the chicken marsala and a sesame seed bread for the bruschetta. The most popular pizza on the Salamone’s North menu has been the Mediterranean pizza, which features pesto, mushroom, spinach, onion and black olives. “We want everyone to feel the love we put into the restaurant,” says Brieanna. “Our whole family runs it. We
always come out and interact with our guests. We meet such great people.” Salamone’s North opens at 11 a.m. seven days a week. The kitchen is open until 10 p.m., but the bar is open later. It’s best to make reservations on weekends if you want to make sure to get a table. If you don’t want to dine in, Salamone’s North also delivers. ❚ ❚
Top Picks for Local Restaurants Baci’s Kitchen Fast-Casual, dine-in, carry-out. 2990 N. Perryville Road, inside A Perryville Place. (815) 329-6922. Open 7 days/wk. at 8 a.m. BkLD. Complete menu at Baciskitchen.com. Backyard Grill & Bar Casual/American. 5390 Elevator Road, Roscoe, Ill., (815) 623-6677. 2nd St., Loves Park, Ill., (815) 6369430. LD M-Th 11am-midnight, F-Sat to 2am, Sun noon-10 p.m. $-SS. Bravo Pizza Italian/American. 376 Prairie Hill Road, S. Beloit, Ill., (815) 624-7900. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11pm. $. Ciao Bella Ristorante Upscale-Casual/Italian-American. Daily specials. 6500 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park, Ill. (815) 654-9900. LD M-F 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sat. 5-10 p.m. $$ Cucina di Rosa Italian Bistro/Bakery 1620 Bell School Road, (815) 395-5040. BkLD. M-Sat 7am-9pm. $$ Dos Reales Mexican Restaurant Casual/Mexican. 5855 E. State St., (815) 227-4979. LD $-$$. Fresco at the Gardens. Casual/American Café. 318 Spring Creek Road, (815) 316-2256. BkL Daily 7am-3pm. $$ Gene’s Irish Pub Casual/Irish Pub. American and Irish fare. Over 21 only. 1025 5th Ave., Rockford, (815) 977-4365. LD T-Th 11am-10:30pm, F-Sat to midnight. $$. Giordano’s Casual/Italian. Stuffed pizza, salads, entrees, sandwiches, desserts. 33 Executive Parkway, Rockford, (815) 398-5700. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11 pm. 26
Smart Living Weekly
Hearthrock Cafe Restaurant/cafe. Baked goods, coffee, breakfast, lunch. Inside Benson Stone Co., 1100 11th St., (815) 227-2000. BkL M-F 7:30am-3pm; Sat. 8am-3pm. $-$$. Lino’s Italian/American. 5611 E. State St., Rkfd. (815) 397-2077. D M-Sat 4:30am-10pm; Sun. 4:30am-9 pm. $$. Maciano’s Casual Italian. 6746 Broadcast Pkwy., Loves Park, (815) 633-7500; & 5801 Columbia Pkwy., Rkfd., (815) 227-5577. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11pm. $-$$. Mary’s Market Cafe & Bakery Baked goods, sandwiches, salads. 2636 McFarland Road, Rockford, (815) 986-3300; 1659 N. Alpine Road, Rockford, (815) 394-0765; 4431 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 397-7291. BkLD Hours vary by location. $. Olympic Tavern Upscale-Casual/American. 2327 N. Main St., (815) 962-8758. Extensive beer list. LD M-Th 11 a.m.-midnight; Fri-Sat. to 2 a.m. $-$$. Prairie Street Brewhouse Upscale-Casual/American. 200 Prairie St., Rockford, (815) 277-9427. LD Sun-W 11am10pm, Th to midnight, F-Sat to 2am. $-$$. Salamone’s North Italian-American. 2583 N. Mulford Road, Rkfd. LD. Sun. noon-10 p.m.; Mon.-Th 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sat. noon-11 p.m. (815) 639-1200 Stockholm Inn Casual/American, Scandinavian emphasis. 2420 Charles St., Rockford, (815) 397-3534. BkLD M-Sat., Sun. brkfst. only. M-Th 7a.m.-7 p.m.; Fri. & Sat. 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Sun. 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Weekend brunch. Large menu, Swedish pancakes specialty. $$ ❚
Feb. 26
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In the Spotlight
Hearthrock Cafe
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enson Stone Company’s Hearthrock Café has introduced new items to its already-popular menu. Head Chef Todd Cooper is following the popular farm-totable trend, working with seasonal and fresh ingredients as much as possible. One of his most popular new creations is the Smoked Andouille Sausage Flatbread, with a homemade Marinara sauce, fresh mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, red pepper and mushrooms. There’s also a new Benson Reuben sandwich, made with homemade sauce and pickled red cabbage. Fresh salads include apple walnut, mandarin orange, garden, spinach or Caesar, iwith optional chicken or bacon. Hearthrock Café hours are Mon.Fri. 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. and Sat. 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Breakfast is served until 11 a.m. Benson Stone Company is located at 1100 11th St. in Rockford. Learn more at BensonStone. com/hearthrock. ❚
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Prevent Legal Headaches: Think Ahead By Janine Pumilia
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any adults are too young to remember the Terry Schiavo case that began in 1990, after Schiavo, age 26, suffered massive brain damage that left her in a persistent vegetative state. Her husband sought to remove her feeding tube, believing it’s what she would have wanted, but her parents fought him in court for 15 years. By the time her tube was removed, in 2005, the case had seen 14 appeals in Florida courts, five suits in federal district court and extensive involvement by the Florida legislature, Gov. Jeb Bush, the U.S. Congress and President George Bush. Even the Vatican got involved. This painful and expensive slugfest could have been avoided had Schiavo put her end-of-life wishes in writing before illness struck. But what 26-year-old thinks of doing that? “After that case, the living will be-
came a hot topic,” says attorney Jim Meason. “It’s a written directive to your doctor that details your desire regarding medical treatment if you’re no longer able to say it.” End-of-life planning isn’t just for the elderly, as Schiavo’s case proved. A sudden injury or illness can change anyone’s fate in a moment. In addition to preparing a living will, every adult should specify a power of attorney for healthcare decisions and for property. If you live in Illinois and your total assets, including your home, exceed $100,000 ($50,000 in Wisconsin), you should prepare a trust, says Meason. “Some advanced planning can prevent so much heartache and frustration for people you leave behind,” says Meason. “It doesn’t take long to do and is way less expensive and time-consuming than if your estate has to go through probate.”
It’s easy to avoid thinking about endof-life issues. “None of us wants to deal with our mortality,” says Meason. “And really, a lot of people just aren’t used to paying for the professional services of an attorney. But my typical client is someone who knows someone who just went through a nightmare because someone else didn’t think ahead and left a mess behind for others to deal with.” Meason’s services include family law, estate planning, real estate, business law and environmental law. Find him at 113 N. Main St. in Rockton, Ill., go to measonlaw.com or call (815) 624-6517. ❚
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