Smart Living Weekly - May 4, 2016

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n iving g Smart rrtt L ivi ivin ng Weekly Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • Rockford Region/Beloit 95¢ • May 4, 2016

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Right in Our Region

RACVB Stirs Up More Fun in ‘Trickford’

By Janine Pumilia, managing editor

A

s usual, the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (RACVB) is busy making good things happen in the Forest City – or “Trickford,” as Mayor Larry Morrissey has dubbed the city. It’s making the most of

Cheap Trick’s recent induction to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame; is releasing a new city coloring book; and is revamping its gorockford. com website, the city’s virtual welcome mat.

Continued on p. 22

Live a Better Quality of Life Reading & Using Smart Living Weekly Proudly Serving the Needs of 326,000 Neighbors - For Your Home, Health & Fun! Recipe: Festive, Fiery Empanadas • Is Your Lawn Mower Ready for Duty?

Making the Most of Outdoor Spaces • You Can Lose Weight • Dining Picks for Cinco de Mayo

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one, from traditional to contemporary. more.

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In This Issue

Right in Our Region ........................Cover & p. 22 Welcome to Trickford Your Home .................................................. ..... 11 Make the Most of Outdoor Spaces Inspiration & Worship ......................................12 From Easter to Pentecost Your Kitchen .....................................................15 Festive Fare for Cinco de Mayo Outdoor Living ..................................................17 Is Your Mower Ready?

Your Health ............................................. .......... 25 You CAN Lose Weight Your Fun .................................................... ......... 27 Your Community ................................................8 Art Cart is Here Dining Locally .......................................... ........ 29 Your Style .................................................... ......33 Spring Makeup Tips

Smart L iving Weekly ™

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.

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People Who Inspire

H

istory is filled with interesting people and our region has certainly seen its share. Over the past 12 years, in Northwest Quarterly Magazine, we’ve told you many of their stories.

Some citizens are remembered for their daring explorations, such Beloit’s Roy Chapman Andrews, the likely prototype for fictional hero Indiana Jones. Others were great humanitarians, such as Cedarville’s Jane Addams, the first American woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Accomplished athletes, artists, businesspeople, inventors, architects, educators, scientists, engineers, politicians, religious leaders and conservationists of yesteryear have known and loved the same Rock River, rich black earth, dense forests and wide-open landscapes that we cherish today.

In this moment of history, we’re celebrating great musicians who’ve grown up here and made us proud. In our cover article you’ll learn how the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is making the most of Cheap Trick’s Rockford-area roots.

In our new special edition of Northwest Quarterly Magazine – our 25 Most Interesting People/Annual Guide issue – you’ll read about 25 inspiring people who live and work among us today. While they’re not literal rock stars like Rick Nielsen or Robin Zander, we think they’re “rock stars” in their own realms because they make our region an even better place to call “home.”

Along with inspiring you, the Annual Guide is an excellent resource for learning about our region’s arts, entertainment, dining and recreational hotspots. It also offers a robust guide to local healthcare options, homeowner services, education resources, wedding venues, senior living facilities, investment counselors and much more.

You’ll also find reports from local economic development leaders. This year, those reports are universally positive. Things are looking up!

Pick up your annual guide at one of our advertising partner locations in the region.

Find a list in this issue on p. 30. And have a great week! ❚ Janine Pumilia Executive Editor Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Weekly

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Y C

Community Art Cart is Like a Little Free Library C

ommunity Art Cart is a creative reuse project, basically Little Free Library for art materials.

The art carts are modest public repositories where creative materials can be recycled for creative purposes. They operate on the take some/leave some principal: have extra pencils ... leave them and take colored paper, and on and on.

Art Carts can operate in a multitude of locations such as museums, libraries, coffee shops, community centers or your front yard.

The Community Art Cart concept was founded in 2015 by Joanna Dowling, a local artist and cultural historian who is passionate about creative accessibility, sustainability and the transformative power of the creative process.

Dowling is past curator of the Poplar Grove Vintage Wings and Wheels Museum and is current creative director of the Vintage Wanderer, the museum’s new boutique that is dedicated to

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inspiring the spirit of exploration through locally sourced vintage, repurposed and handmade goods.

The museum is located at 5151 Orth Road in Poplar Grove, Ill. The Museum is also home to Community Art Cart’s pilot cart, which you can visit daily, Wednesday through Sunday. Visit communityartcart.org for more information.

The Rockford Area Arts Council supports, promotes, and celebrates the arts for everyone in our Northern Illinois region.

The Arts Council is guided by the vision of a community in which everyone enjoys and participates in the arts – and a community in which successful artists and arts organizations contribute to the vitality of the economy and better quality of life.

Learn about other projects facilitated

by Rockford Arts Council at artsforeveryone.com.❚

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Get SLW Outings articles every week. Visit NWQSmartLiving.com and start your e-Edition today.

Y C

Learn more about Rockford and how it is the perfect getaway for

Chris Manuel, Dustin Koch, Reed Sjostrom

food, culture and outdoor adventure.

Prairie Street Brewhouse

Request your GoRockford guide at gorockford.com/vguide.

James Purifoy

Al Castrogiovanni

Zina Horton

15th & Chris

Alchemy

Zammuto’s

Real. Original. Delicious.

Rockford, Illinois, is filled with Delicious Destinations that make it a can’t-miss culinary adventure. An impressive list of local chefs have been delighting diners and diverse palates for years. They know that to get the best tasting creations, fresh food is better and that farmers are a chef’s best friend.

Whether you are grabbing some of the best burgers of your life from 15th & Chris, sampling the Real. Orignal. granita from Zammuto’s, trying the latest trends and fusion foods at Alchemy or having a pint of the “beer that made Milwaukee jealous,” the Nikelob, at Prairie Street Brewhouse, you’ll be In Good Company when you pull up a chair at our table – and you will be glad you did. @gorockford | #gorockford | gorockford.com

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Y H  G

Extend Your Living Space to the Outdoors

By Kimberly Watley

E

xtended outdoor living spaces have grown in popularity and there’s never been a better variety of materials with which to build them, says Andy Benson, president of Benson Stone Co., 1100 11th St., Rockford. As a Rockford staple for more than eight decades, the company strives to educate and equip its customers.

Benson, who joined his family’s company 30 years ago, says his team makes every effort to stay ahead of trends. Drawing people outdoors and expanding their living spaces helps customers to make the most of every portion of their properties.

“These extended outdoor living spaces have really grown in popularity and so have outdoor fireplaces,” says Benson.

“We can build them up with landscape block, brick or stone. Sometimes we use a metal-framed unit with stucco and stone.” Both natural and man-made com-

posite materials have their advantages when it comes to outdoor spaces. Benson’s professionals can help you to understand the benefits of each.

Benson Stone offers everything from simple steppingstone pathways to extravagant, fullyequipped outdoor kitchens.

With a variety of options, materials and a trusted list of contractors, do-it-yourselfers have a ready partner, but Benson says it may not be as easy as it looks on TV. Many people watch home improvement shows and get grandiose ideas about tackling difficult projects, he says.

“You need to know how to do it right if you’re going to take on these types of projects yourself,” says Benson. “We have a couple of people in the landscape department who have been doing this for around 30 years, another about 20. These

are people who have been through training many times with the manufacturers, and it is what they literally do all day long, and have for decades. We do quite a bit of advising homeowners. Our staff is well informed, and is happy to share that knowledge.” ❚

Get SLW Home & Garden articles every week. Visit NWQSmartLiving. com and start your e-Edition today.

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I  W

Easter to Pentecost

T

he resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of the Christian faith, as we recently celebrated on Easter Sunday. But the story doesn’t end there. In fact, the close of the Easter season is a full 50 days after Easter.

Why? “After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.” Acts 1:3 In the opening of Acts, we read that Jesus has been appearing to various people for 40 days and is now with his 11 apostles. He tells them to stay in Jerusalem, where they will “receive power” from the holy spirit – a promise that’s fulfilled 10 days later, on the day of Pentecost – 50 days after the resurrection. “Pente” means 50.

Before Christ came, Jews celebrated Pentecost, or the Feast of Weeks, to recognize the way God provided for them – Moses brought the law to the people from Mt. Sinai 50 days after the miraculous exodus from Egypt and slavery.

Just as Israel was freed from Egyptian captivity and given God’s law 50 days later, Christ’s followers were freed from mortality by his resurrection and transformed by holy spirit 50 days later.

Jesus tells the apostles that, once they have received power from the holy spirit, they will be witnesses for him not only in Jerusalem, but throughout the entire earth.

Especially in an age without modern transportation or communication, it was quite a statement.

“And when he had spoken these things, while they watched, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.” Acts 1:9 Although most of us don’t celebrate Pentecost with the same fanfare (and commercialism) given to Easter and Christmas, it’s a landmark date in Christianity and is the “birthday” of the church.

This year, Pentecost will be celebrated on May 15. It’s always seven weeks after Easter Sunday. Easter is determined by calculating the first Sunday after (but never on) the first full moon after the spring equinox – the day when hours of light and darkness are about the same.

Jesus Christ, light of this world, entrusted his ministry of reconciliation to us. ❚ – Janine Pumilia

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Y K

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a Festive Fiesta F

or Mexican food lovers everywhere, Cinco de Mayo provides the perfect excuse to host a fiesta. This year, try spicing up your party menu with Mexican-inspired bold flavors and fresh ingredients using these tips and recipe. With a little planning and some key fresh ingredients, you can host a fiesta everyone will enjoy.

Green, Green Guacamole is a flavorful dip that embodies the festive flavors of the holiday. Mexican Caviar and Spicy Taquitos are also a few savory appetizer dishes to liven any party spread for a muy bueno party starter. But to add more authentic flavor to your table, be sure to serve Fiery Fiesta Empanadas. With a soft cornmeal crust, ground beef, cheese and olive filling, this dish boasts bold notes of cumin, garlic, and mild Tabasco green jalapeño pepper sauce – making these empanadas a sure-fire way to spice up your menu.

On lightly floured surface with lightly floured rolling pin, roll out half of dough until 1/4inch thick. Cut dough into two 7-inch rounds. Repeat with remaining dough and scraps.

Cover; set aside.

Cook ground beef and garlic in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until beef is browned on all sides, stirring occasionally to break up beef.

Stir in scallions, taco sauce, olives, 3 teaspoons green jalapeño pepper sauce, oregano, cumin and salt until well blended. Stir in cheese.

Preheat oven to 375∫F. Grease large cookie sheet. Spoon about 1/2-cup filling on 1/2 of each round, leaving a 1/2-inch border.

Stir together egg and remaining teaspoon green jalapeño pepper sauce.

Brush border with egg mixture.

Fold dough over filling, pressing out air. Crimp edges with fork or fingers to seal.

Place on baking sheet. Bake 25 minutes or until golden. ❚ Source: Family Features

Fiery Fiesta Empanadas Makes 4 empanadas

Ingredients:

Cornmeal Crust • 2 cups all-purpose flour • 1 cup yellow cornmeal • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, cut into 1-inch pieces • 6 tablespoons water Filling • 1 pound ground beef • 1 clove garlic, crushed • 3 scallions, chopped • 1/4 cup taco sauce • 1/4 cup pitted ripe olives, chopped • 4 teaspoons Tabasco green jalapeño pepper sauce, divided • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 1 cup shredded Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese • 1 large egg, beaten

Directions: Combine flour, cornmeal and salt in medium bowl. Cut in butter until mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle in water until dough sticks together.

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O L

Is Your Lawn Mower Ready to Work Hard?

By Peggy Werner

B

eautiful spring days may be calling you outdoors to get some sunshine and start working in the yard, but make sure that lawn mower is ready to do its best job for you.

A spring tune-up can increase fuel efficiency by about one-third, extend the life of the engine, reduce repair costs, and decrease emissions by half, says Tim Kinney, manager of Lincoln Rent-All and Sales at two locations in Rockford; 6635 E. Riverside Blvd. and 3110 Auburn St. The business sells and services Toro, Lawn Boy and Snapper lawn mowers and will pick up any lawn mower and deliver it back to your home for $60, in addition to service costs.

Getting a lawn mower ready for spring starts in the fall, when you make sure the engine is empty of fuel and the under deck is clean and free of grass build-up, Kinney says.

Gas out of the pump lasts about

30 days before it starts to break down and collect moisture, especially with the addition of ethanol in recent years, says Kinney. Too much moisture in fuel will prevent an engine from starting.

Other mower maintenance includes changing the oil once a year or every 25

hours of use, changing the spark plug and air filter, and sharpening the blade.

Clean oil prevents the engine from getting clogged up. A spark plug’s health is directly linked to engine performance, including power and fuel economy. A clean air filter helps to maintain the proper air and fuel ratio, allowing the mower to have the best fuel efficiency.

A sharp blade not only gives your lawn a clean cut, but also protects the lawn from weakening and being susceptible to disease.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact the business through its website at lincolnrent-all. com, call the Riverside location at (815) 633-9322 or the Auburn location at (815) 968-0931. ❚

Get SLW Outdoor Living articles every week. Visit NWQSmartLiving. com and start your e-Edition today.

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R  O R

Trickford Continued from Cover

“Cheap Trick is one of Rockford, Illinois’ greatest exports and a major point of pride for our community,” says John Groh, president/CEO of RACVB. “Everywhere they go, Cheap Trick draws positive attention to Rockford. We should be proud of them and we should honor them. We’re launching a Cheap Trick takeover of outdoor billboards, streetlight pole banners, a new website, full page newspaper ads and more, all honoring the band. We didn’t want to let the opportunity pass by to help the community recognize and express our love for Cheap Trick, but also to share the band’s fame and tie it to our community so that residents and visitors know this is where Rick, Tom, Robin and Bun E. all polished their skills.”

Morrissey has “officially, unofficially” renamed the city “Trickford.” New

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“welcome to Trickford” signs are being installed at the city’s gateway entrances and the boyhood streets of the four band members will be renamed in celebratory fashion. Spring Creek Road will become Rick Nielsen Parkway; Buckingham Drive will be Tom Petersson Terrace; Waterview Road in Machesney Park will be Robin Zander Place; and Parkview Avenue will be Bun E. Carlos Avenue.

“I would have given them the key to the city,”Morrissey joked, “but another mayor beat me to it a long time ago.

That’s what happens when a band has been touring the world for almost 40 years. So, we decided there was nothing left to do but fully ‘Surrender’ to them by

May 4

renaming Rockford in their honor.”

The “Trickford” name will be adopted as the URL address of a new website RACVB has launched that will help visitors and residents alike learn about Cheap Trick’s history and legacy in Rockford.

The site will feature musician biographies, an interactive timeline, a Fan Trail, videos and more. The website will be named GoTrickford.com.

A new Cheap Trick Fan Trail will

R  O R include scheduled tours. RACVB is exploring how best to celebrate Cheap Trick’s Rockford roots in the future for leisure travelers and residents alike.

Pictured on Cover: John Groh, president/CEO of Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

A music experience also is in the works. RACVB is in the early stages of planning a two-day celebratory music festival for early fall. Dates, times and bands will be announced in the coming months, but fans can register now for ticket information and updates at gotrickford.com.

The GoRockford Coloring Book is a clever take on the new coloring craze, with depictions of 25 favorite attractions, both public and private, drawn by local artists. It sells for $4 and part of the proceeds will go toward Forest City Beautiful initiatives such as downtown beautification and public art. Purchase your coloring book at the RACVB office and at participating locations listed on the GoRockford.com website under the tabs “About Us” and “Coloring Book.”

The RACVB also is working on a full redesign of GoRockford.com to make it stronger, more streamlined and better integrated with social media, says Josh Albrecht, director of marketing/public

affairs at the RACVB. “We want to tell the story of Rockford to the world in really cool ways,” says Albrecht.

“There will be a much stronger focus on being the event calendar for the community.

Visitors will find a GPS locator mapping system, photos and directions to attractions; we want to make it easy for visitors to find their way around Rockford.” The website will be updated daily.

Fun lists like “top five hamburger joints” and exciting imagery and photos will be part of the new site, says Albrecht.

It’s all part of helping visitors and residents alike maximize their enjoyment of our beautiful region. ❚

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Y H

Weight Loss: It’s All About What You Eat

T

By Peggy Werner his time of year, people flock to the gym hoping to work off all those rich winter meals.

It’s always a good idea to get to the gym, but it won’t make up for what you put into your mouth, says Phil Toldo, International Sports Sciences Association certified personal trainer and sports nutritionist at Peak Fitness and Sports Club in Rockford and Loves Park.

“Losing weight and body fat is about 80 percent of what you eat and about 20 percent of what you do at the gym. That shocks a lot of people,” he says.

Toldo has a three-point plan for helping people to lose weight.

First, you have to look hard at what you’re eating. Find out how many calories you’re taking in daily and eliminate processed foods and sugar. Make meals and snacks from lean protein, fruits and vegetables and healthy carbohydrates.

“People are so afraid of carbs, but if they eat the right ones, it’s OK,” says Toldo. Depending on your goals, a good starting point for daily caloric intake would consist of 30 percent fat, 40 percent carbohydrate and 30 percent protein.

Secondly, once you know what you’re eating, start making changes and drop about 200 calories a week until you see results. He recommends no less than 1200 calories a day to get proper nutrition. Keep meals small and more frequent and you will be more satisfied and maintain your energy level, he says.

“Everyone loses weight at a different rate. Just keep making small adjustments so you keep seeing results. You don’t want to feel miserable; you just want to restrict yourself as little as possible to get the results you want,” he says.

Thirdly, increase your daily activity by walking and working out. If new to exercising, start out with just 10 to 20

minutes a day and gradually add time, intensity and frequency as you progress.

“When it comes to diet and exercise, too many people want dramatic results too fast,” he says. “They end up getting discouraged, frustrated and injured. They eventually just give up. I’m happy if my clients are losing 2 to 4 pounds and 1 percent body fat per month. Think of food as fuel for the body, not a source of entertainment.”

For more information, call Peak Fitness at (815) 398-7300 or Peak Sports Club at (815) 877-4401. ❚

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Y F

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 belief in a brighter tomorrow. Coronado Performing Arts Center (CPAC) 314 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 968-0595, coronadopac.org.

BCT: “Exit Laughing” May 5-7, times vary. When the biggest highlight in your life for the past 30 years has been your weekly bridge night out, what do you do when one in your foursome inconveniently dies? You “borrow” ashes from the funeral for one last card game. Beloit Civic Theater (BCT) presentation. Elizabeth Reinholz Theatre, 1225 4th St., Beloit, (608) 362-1595, beloitcivictheatre.org.

Rodney Carrington May 5, 7 p.m. Rodney Carrington is a multitalented comedian, actor and writer with eight major record-label comedy albums. CPAC, Rockford, (815) 968-0595, coronadopac.org.

AE: “Visiting Mr. Green” May 6-May 22, Thu. 7:30 p.m., Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 4 & 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Mr. Green and Ross can’t stand one another, but the judge who ordered Ross to visit Mr. Green doesn’t want to hear it. Hearts are changed in this lively comedy/ drama. An Artists Ensemble production. Cheek Theatre, Rockford University, 5050 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 394-5004, artistsensemble.org.

“A Moment in Time” May 6-7, Fri. 6:30 p.m., Sat. 1 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.

Join Rockford Dance Company on a journey through various eras and styles of dance. Kresge Hall, Riverfront Museum Park, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 963-3341, rockforddancecompany.com.

Annual Plant Sale May 6-7, Fri. 5-8 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Spend Mother’s Day weekend shopping for this year’s garden stock. Choose from hundreds of plants.

Afterwards, stroll through the Klehm grounds Tell them you saw it in ...

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

to see what’s blooming. Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden, 2715 S. Main St., Rockford, (815) 965-8146, klehm.org.

First Fridays in Downtown Rockford May 6, 5 p.m.-midnight. Each month, downtown art galleries, shops, music and theater venues work together to stay open late and share new art, music and goods. Downtown Rockford, (779) 537-5319, facebook.com/FirstFridaysRockford.

Downtown Dash: 5K Run/Walk May 7, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Run or walk the 5K course along the scenic Rock River in Downtown Beloit. Downtown Beloit, (608) 365-8835, greaterbeloitchamber.org.

Museums for Mom May 8, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Celebrate Mother’s Day with free admission for all mothers at five area museums. Pick up a passport at one museum, then visit three more to be entered in a drawing to win free memberships to all five locations: Discovery Center Museum, Burpee Museum of Natural History, Rockford Art Museum, Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Gardens and Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens. Info: visit info. gorockford.com.

The Beach Boys May 12, 7:30 p.m. Join The Beach Boys as they mark more than half a century of making music. CPAC, Rockford, (815) 968-0595, coronadopac.org.

The Art of Bonsai May 19, 7 p.m. Learn about what makes a bonsai: a dwarfed tree shaped like something found in nature. Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, (815) 316-3307, andersongardens.org. ❚ Smart Living Weekly

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Restaurant of the Week - Celebrate Cinco de Mayo!

Not-to-Miss Mexican Food at Arturo's

By Brian Hughes

F

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

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May 4

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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. ❚

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Y S

Spring Makeup Trends: Neutral, Matte Finishes B y To n i R o c h a

A

bout this time of year, after a long, cold winter, skin care becomes a vital focus. Cold, windy, dry air has dulled and roughened skin.

And that’s where the hand-picked skin care lines at Arch Cosmetics can help to make a tremendous difference in the face you present to the world.

Today’s makeup trends focus on natural, neutral colors and matte finishes, says Betsy Branca, owner and founder of Arch Cosmetics, a luxury beauty boutique at 6876 Spring Creek Road, Rockford.

“The eyes are included in this trend, using muted colors,” she explains. “One standout change for spring, however, is the addition of light green shadow.

Another spring trend is highlighting the cheeks.”

Arch offers 30 top-quality brands in beauty care; it also has downtown Chicago and Madison locations.

“I opened my business as Arch Apothecary about four years ago in

Rockford,” says Branca. “Less than a year later, we opened our site in Chicago, adding [hair] blow-out services in addition to our cosmetic lines and signature brow waxing services. Our Madison store opened last year. And we changed the business name to Arch Cosmetics.”

Branca describes Arch as an eclectic mix of hard-to-find brands designed to help clients care for their skin, regardless of what challenges they experience.

“The Rockford location offers an express facial service that allows clients to experience our products before investing,” Branca says. “While we cater primarily to women, we welcome men and carry a line of men’s shaving products.”

Discovering the products that best treat each individual’s parched skin is Arch’s main concern. Branca says trends for hydrating products are based on light, natural oils that provide the maximum level of care without clogging pores and

causing skin to break out.

“These oils are formulated from nature-based oils such as rose hips, vegetables and other wholesome sources,” Branca says. “They help facial skin to recover from the adverse effects of winter and bring it to its warm, natural glow. We recommend oil treatments on an everyday basis. Once the skin is adequately rehydrated and spring approaches, applications every other day help to maintain that beautiful look.” ❚

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Issue 1