Smart Living Weekly - February 4, 2015

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Save Smarter • Live Better • Rockford Region/Freeport 95¢ • Feb. 4, 2015

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Right in Our Region

Spend Your Valentine’s Day with the RSO

By Karla Nagy, associate editor

W

hat better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day, than with an evening with the Rockford Symphony Orchestra (RSO)? Even better, how about a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner, just prior to the concert, served in historic Coronado Performing Arts Center?

“This concert is special for several reasons,” says Michele McAffee, RSO marketing director. “First, we have a wonderful guest artist, soprano Amy Conn, who’ll perform three pieces with the orchestra. Also, we’re offering a special Prelude Dinner for Valentine’s Day, a romantic meal that includes live entertainment and champagne.”

Continued on p. 20

• Get All the SAVINGS You Deserve from Local Businesses

Inside: 14 Ways to ‘Treat’ Your Heart • What to Avoid in a Kitchen Remodel • Lamb Stew Recipe Yoga’s Many Benefits • Rockford Gallery Grand Opening • Restaurant of the Week: Alchemy

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• 2 Beloit International Film Festival GOLD Passes* • 2 Night stay at the Ironworks Hotel (BIFF Kickoff Weekend)** • $100 Gift card to Merrill & Houstonʼs Steak Joint * GOLD Passes give unlimited access to all films during the full 10-day festival, non-film events, and free admission to the BIFF Signature Event.

Find more information on BIFF at www.beloitfilmfest.org. * * Overnights are good for Friday, February 20th and Saturday, February 21st only. View hotel accommodations at www.ironworkshotel.com.

Winner will be chosen on Friday, February 13th.

Now in its tenth year, BIFF is a ten-day tribute to the power and excitement of independent film from around the world. Local residents and visitors from across the nation fill venues in Downtown Beloit, ranging in size from 40 seats to 400 seats, to experience nearly 150 films and meet more than 100 filmmakers who come from as far away as Europe, Asia and South America! Individual tickets are available at www.beloitfilmfest.org.

•••••••••

Visit beloitfilmfest.org or complete the form below and mail to: Visit Beloit Attn: Film Fest • 500 Public Ave., Beloit, WI 53511 Name ___________________________________ Email ___________________________________ Phone ___________________________________ www.visitbeloit.com 608.365.4838

*All forms must be postmarked by Feb. 9th, 2015

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We’ re here , fo r yo u.

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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In This Issue

Right in Our Region ........................Cover & p. 20 RSO Valentine’s Day Concert Your Home .................................................. .....11 Remodeling Tips for Small & Large Kitchens Inspiration & Worship ......................................12 True Comfort Your Kitchen .....................................................15 Lamb vs. Beef, Grass-Fed vs. Grain-Fed Your Outings .....................................................17 317 Studio & Gallery Grand Opening Your Health ............................................. .......... 25 14 Ways to ‘Treat’ Your Heart Your Health ............................................. .......... 26 Benefits of Practicing Yoga Your Fun ................................................... ......... 27 Restaurant of the Week ................................... 29 Alchemy at Giovanni’s Dining Locally .......................................... ........ 29 Tips ........................................................... ......... 31 Holding onto Your Car Longer Your Money .............................................. ......... 33 Snapshot: American Finances 2015

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 Contributing Writers Rhonda Mix, Peggy Werner 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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Love: Pass It On E very morning I wake up and look at my Valentine and thank God for him. We found each other late in life and we don’t take a single day for granted. Little things that may have bothered our younger selves are dismissed with ease. Our wiser selves know what matters and how to be grateful for it.

We’re constantly a little amazed at how good it feels to be happily married. Valentine’s Day is just another sweet reminder of this.

But that hasn’t always been the case.

I’ve known some pretty miserable Valentine’s Days, and I’m not alone. Just as Christmas can make lonely folks feel more lonely, Valentine’s Day can, too. It’s a day when hopes are often dashed and losses are felt more keenly.

Especially at those times, it’s important to remember that love is not only found in romance, but in all the ties that bind us – sister to sister, mother to child, father to brother, grandparent to grandchild, friend to friend and so on. The kind of love glorified most often in movies and pop songs is not all there is.

To that end, I’d like to issue a challenge: If you know someone who may be feeling a bit blue this Valentine’s Day, why not send a card, give them a call, drop in for a visit, or even take them to a wonderful community event like the RSO concert discussed in our cover story? Look around. There are people everywhere who just need to be reminded they’re not alone.

Maybe it’s a widow who recently lost her companion, or a child whose parent is serving our nation overseas. Maybe it’s a mom whose beloved child is in jail or rehab or some other trouble. Maybe it’s a socially awkward coworker, or someone struggling with illness, or their caregiver. Sometimes a tiny gesture makes an enormous difference.

And guess what?

It benefits the giver most of all. If you’re the one feeling blue, why not reach out to help someone else?

Love. Pass it on! ❚ Janine Pumilia Executive Editor Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Weekly

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RIDE WHERE YOU RESIDE

Come out for an affordable, fun-filled day of tubing, snowboarding and skiing.

Gateway Parks at Alpine Hills is a facility of the Rockford Park District.

Valid through March 14, 2015. Must present coupon at time of purchase. Limit up to 4 day tickets purchased together on the same day. Tubes are provided. No cash value.

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Y H  G

Remodeling Tips for Kitchens Small & Large

By Rhonda Mix

W

hether your kitchen is small or large, a number of things can freshen its appearance, or give it an entirely new look.

For a smaller kitchen footprint, designer Erin Knabe, of Benson Stone Co., 1100 11th St., Rockford, suggests using a frameless cabinet for easier access, and installing units that climb to the ceiling. Remove dated soffits, Knabe advises, since they tend to bring the eye downward. This also opens up more storage space.

“Kitchens look bigger when cabinet lines reach toward the ceiling,” she says.

“When you have a small kitchen, you want it to look as big as possible. Also, if you increase the upper cabinets, you can fit larger items in.”

If you want an island but have limited space, opening up a wall may be a solution, Erin Knabe if budget and design can

accommodate it. The addition of space-saving appliances, such as a microwave/ oven combination, may be a good idea. When it comes to sinks, Knabe says it’s best to splurge. “You need a goodsized sink, even in a smaller kitchen,” she says. “Make sure it’s two feet across or larger. It’s the No. 1 thing we A smaller kitchen seems larger use in kitchens.” with soffits removed and cabinets With so many layout extended to the ceiling. options in larger kitchens, Appliances like double ovens, bar it’s easy for homeowners to get lost during refrigerators, wine coolers and warming planning, but focusing on basics can keep you on track. “People with larger kitchens drawers are enjoyable luxuries, too. can entertain more guests; therefore, items Additional advice: “Materials such as like islands and wet bars can help to divide granite and quartz look nice in kitchens, space into zones, creating a more entertain- and composite granite is especially durable ment-friendly environment.” for sinks,” says Knabe.

For a larger kitchen footprint, Knabe “Be cautious using cast iron materials, suggests triple bowls for sinks. as they chip easily.” ❚

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I  W

True Comfort W

hy do we dread death so much? Is it because, deep down, we really don’t believe the bedrock of our faith? To be sure, the life we know now is much easier to cherish than the mysterious one beyond the grave. And yet our faith is rooted in the belief that, someday, we’ll be together with Jesus Christ, in our new, incorruptible spiritual bodies. At that time, our sorrow and terrible fear of mortality will end.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” -Revelation 21:4. (NIV) After his resurrection, Jesus Christ, in a new spiritual body, appeared to many people before ascending and disappearing into a cloud. As his apostles watched, two angels told them, in Acts 1:11: “Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Knowing that Jesus Christ will someday return for us, in full glory, is an enormous source of hope and comfort. The apostle Paul, in Philippians 1:21, goes so far as to say that departing this life “is better by far” than remaining here, but we do have important work to accomplish here first. And, in his first letter to believers in Thessalonica, Paul writes: Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.

And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words. -- I Thessalonians 4:13-18. ❚ 12

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Y Y K K

Grass-Fed Lamb Stew: Tasty & Nutritious B y D r. E m m e t t B l a h n i k

I

’m always in the mood for a good stew in the winter. Why lamb instead of beef?

Lamb and beef have many similar health benefits. Both are chock full of protein, along with vitamins B-12, B-6 and B-3 (niacin), zinc and iron. However, almost all lamb is very low in unsaturated fat, unlike beef, which tends to have more fat and calories. Pretty much all cuts of lamb are lean and low fat.

Why organic, grass-fed lamb meat?

It’s 100 percent natural, with no hormones or antibiotics. Also, the meat of grass-fed lambs contains tons of omega-3 fatty acids, key to preventing heart disease. It’s one small step toward a healthier lifestyle for you and your family. ❚ Emmett Blahnik, owner of Next Level Health, 2835 McFarland Road, Rockford, is a doctor of chiropractic and a certified nutrition counselor, as well as a speaker, author and radio host.

Grass-Fed Lamb Stew with Red Wine & Garlic Mushrooms Ingredients 2 ¾ 4 2 3 4 6 2-3 5 2 ¼

lbs. grass-fed lamb meat cup red wine cups mushrooms quartered cloves garlic, minced Tb. organic coconut oil slices grass-fed bacon large carrots, chopped cups fresh peas cloves garlic, smashed Vidalia onions, chopped cup of coconut flour

3 2-3 ¾ ⅓ 3 3 2 ½

bay leaves whole Tb. salt & black pepper cup coconut milk cup butter, melted Tb. fresh parsley, chopped Tb. fresh tarragon leaves cups celery, chopped tsp. ground cumin

Directions

In coconut oil, in a large pot or saucepan, brown bacon, remove it and set aside. Melt butter over medium heat, saute onions, celery, peas and carrots about 5-6 minutes, until onions are tender.

Add lamb, garlic and mushrooms, brown for 5-6 minutes. Add red wine, cumin, bay leaf, black pepper and salt, stir until fragrant.

Chop bacon into ¼ inch pieces and add to pot. Stir in coconut flour, coconut milk and butter. Simmer 20-25 minutes, remove bay leaf and serve.

From the Kitchen of: Dr. Emmett Blahnik, Next Level Health Cooperative. Find more nutrition information and healthy recipes at nextlevelhealth.com.

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Grand Opening at 317 Studio & Gallery T

abatha Dougherty and Therese Rowinski, founders of 317 Studio & Gallery, Rockford, will host a grand opening celebration on Feb. 6, from 4-8 p.m. They opened their art studio at 317 Market St. on March 1, 2014, maintaining a second floor gallery and transforming the downstairs studio into classroom space.

Built in 1899, 317 Market Street is a building rich in Rockford art history. It was first occupied by Rockford Illustrating Co., at the time, the most diversified graphic arts firm in the country. In 1985, Deborah Newton, a prominent Rockford artist, purchased the building and created 317 Market Street Gallery.

Current owner Justin Fern bought the building in 2006, when Rockford artist and interior designer Tom Littrell leased the space for his Tom Littrell Design Studio and installed a fine art gallery on the second floor. After Littrell’s death in March 2013, Dougherty and Rowinski, two of his artists, took possession of the studio, to maintain its creative history.

The pair offers studio and exhibit space, classes for various age groups, “PALette pARTies” for children ages 10 and up, craft sessions for ages 6 and under, and private workshops,.

Dougherty and Rowinski participate in Rockford Area Arts Council’s ArtScene, and host monthly First Friday events. Both volunteer their time and talents to various nonprofit groups and take part in charitable events such as “Unforgettable Art” and “Doors of Rockford.”

Dougherty, a former graphic designer and high school art teacher, started painting baby rooms for friends in 2003, and eventually turned her hobby into a business. She now offers commissioned contemporary art pieces, children’s room décor and children’s painted portraits.

Rowinski is a freelance artist and muralist who works in acrylics, oils and watercolors. Her murals can be found in

residential homes, businesses and restaurants. She has artwork in several states, including two exterior murals in Florida.

In December 2014, the pair acquired adjacent first-floor space that doubles their studio size to allow for more classes, and with the installation of a kiln, the addition of ceramics and pottery classes.

The art studio’s grand opening celebration is on Feb. 6, from 4-8 p.m., during the First Friday artist exhibit.

For more information about classes and available studio and gallery space, visit online at 317studiogallery.com. ❚

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RSO Valentine’s Day Concert Continued from Cover

The Valentine’s Day Prelude Dinner, which begins at 6 p.m., includes Caesar salad; entrée choice of grilled Norwegian salmon with lemon beurre blanc sauce or pork tenderloin with port demi glaze; sides of cilantro lime rice and fresh vegetables; and petit fours & chocolate covered strawberries for dessert.

“The dinner comes with a complimentary glass of champagne and romantic loves songs performed by Rich & Nola – Rich Hillard and Nola Addante,” McAffee says. “We’re seating in tables of two or four, for a more intimate experience.”

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Also, the Sterling String Quartet, a group of talented musicians from the Rockford Youth Symphony Orchestra, will play in the theater’s mezzanine before the concert.

“We have another special little romantic twist,” McAffee says. “We’re looking for a couple that’s getting engaged on Valentine’s Day, and we’d like Amy Conn to share that moment with them.

The pair will get front row seats, flowers, photographs and a champagne toast at the end of the concert.

“The community is helping us to locate this couple. Ideally, we hope to find a guy with a ring and no plan, who’ll agree to propose at the performance. We would be thrilled to have a couple get engaged at this concert.”

Tickets for the prelude dinner are $50 per person, $25 for ages 12 and under, and reservations are required. Concert tickets start at $22; students tickets are $7.

The concert program, “Memories from Times of War,” follows through on this season’s theme War & Remembrance. “I’ve been looking forward to this concert since the moment the RSO’s 2014-2015 season was finalized,” says Steven Larsen, RSO music director. “It has everything that excites me in a concert

R  O R program: a little personal nostalgia, a new discovery, a work I’ve always loved but never conducted, a favorite piece that I’m excited to revisit, a novelty work that people will talk about, and the chance to work with a wonderful soloist.”

The program includes a Suite from The Good Soldier Schweik, a satirical opera by Robert Kurka, sentimental to Larsen because conducting Schweik was his first professional-level engagement.

Soprano Amy Conn is from Chicago, and although she’s performed in other venues in Rockford, this will be her first experience with the orchestra. She’ll perform three works. In Flanders Fields the Poppies Grow was composed

by John Philip Sousa, based on a poem composed

by World War I frontline physician Lt. Col. John McCrae, about a field where casualties are buried.

“Sousa, the March King, wrote a very simple and moving piece,” Larsen says.

Samuel Barber’s Knoxville, Summer of 1915 is a prose poem by William Agee set to music. It’s from the prologue to Agee’s autobiographical novel A Death in the Family, a favorite of Larsen’s, which is a nostalgic work based on the author’s childhood in Knoxville, Tenn.

Finally, Reinhold Glière’s “Concerto for Coloratura Soprano and Orchestra,” written in 1943, showcases soprano Conn’s amazing vocal talents. “Many arias for coloratura soprano are

mini-concertos, designed to show off the singer’s range and flexibility,” says Larsen. “But Russian composer Glière gets right to the point in his unusual concerto. He dispenses with text and shows us the soprano voice in all its glory. The human voice becomes a musical instrument, and the singer takes her place in a role usually filled by violinists and pianists.”

The concert will end with what Larsen considers to be one of the 20th century’s greatest works, Maurice Ravel’s Le Tombeau de Couperin. The name implies that it’s a tribute to baroque composer Francois Couperin, but the work commemorates friends of Ravel who died in World War I. According to Larsen, during the war, Ravel wanted to be an aviator, but because of his age (34), was relegated to truck driver. He wrote a suite of solo piano pieces and dedicated each movement to a friend who died in battle. “After the war, he orchestrated the suite, and it is truly brilliant – a plural marriage of baroque style, modern harmony, dazzling orchestration, and a touching tribute to friendship,” Larsen says.

To purchase tickets for the dinner, which begins at 6 p.m., and/or the concert, which begins at 7:30 p.m., call the RSO office, (815) 965-0049, or visit online at rockfordsymphony.com.

Also, visit the website to learn more about the RSO, its community programs and upcoming concerts. ❚

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14 Ways to ‘Treat’ Your Heart W

e celebrate Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14, but this year, celebrate American Heart Month with 14 “treats” for your heart.

1. Don’t use tobacco. Quitting immediately reduces your risk of heart disease, and your risk drops dramatically within a year.

2. Exercise 30-60 minutes daily. And it can include everything from housework to walking the dog to taking the stairs.

3. Reduce stress. Stress increases blood pressure, heart rate, hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, and cravings for food or tobacco. Try deep breathing, guided imagery, or a brisk walk.

4. See your healthcare provider regularly.

5. Know your risk level for heart disease. Weight, blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose levels are all indicators.

6. Control diabetes. Monitor and keep blood glucose levels consistent. The National Institutes of Health report that two-thirds of people with diabetes die of heart or blood vessel disease.

7. Control high blood pressure. Get your blood pressure checked regularly and work with your doctor to keep it under control.

8. Maintain a healthy weight.

9. Control portion size. Know proper serving sizes. Eat a little bit of everything, and include more healthy stuff.

10. Eat more vegetables and fruits. They’re low in calories and have lots of filling dietary fiber. Avoid vegetables that are fried or in creamy sauces and fruits with sugar added.

11. Choose whole grains.

Avoid refined grain products like frozen waffles and sweetened cereals. Try grains like quinoa or barley.

12. Avoid unhealthy fats & cholesterol. Limit solid fats like butter, margarine and shortening in your cooking, use healthier fats like olive or canola oil, and eat lean meats with less than 10 percent fat.

13. Reduce sodium use. Watch labels on canned soups and prepared meals and choose low-sodium options if you can. Use herbs and spices to flavor your foods instead of salt.

14. Know the signs of a heart attack and seek medical help immediately if you experience: uncomfortable chest pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain; discomfort in one or both arms, or back, neck, jaw or stomach; shortness of breath; breaking out in a cold sweat; nausea; lightheadedness. ❚ Source: FHN

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

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Y H

Practicing Yoga Offers Key Health Benefits B y K a r l a N a g y, a s s o c i a t e e d i t o r at Leitzen Fye began doing yoga 30 years ago, and has pursued it seriously for the past 10. Since October 2013, she’s been teaching others the many benefits of yoga, at Your Core Being, her wellness studio at 107 W. Main St., Freeport.

“The very first yoga class I took put me in such an amazing mental and physical state that I was hooked,” says Leitzen Fye. “Mentally, yoga is about focus, confidence, clarity and serenity.

From a physical standpoint, it helps with weight management, muscle tone, flexibility, strength and circulation, among other things.”

General misconceptions about yoga are that it involves some sort of religious component; it’s too easy and not a “real workout;” and you have to be flexible to even try it.

“Yoga does have a spiritual element, if someone wants to tap into that, but it’s not religious – it’s more of a philosophy,” Leitzen Fye explains. “Yoga looks easy, but it builds muscle strength along with balance and flexibility, which weightlifting does not. And yoga isn’t only for the young and fit. It helps the elderly, those struggling with weight issues or suffering from chronic pain or injuries.”

Pat Leitzen Fye

P

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The word “yoga” means “union,” since its practice brings together mind, body and spirit. “Yoga requires paying attention to your breathing and being aware of your body and its components. It settles your mind and calms your body, so it helps to relieve stress and release muscle tension. It’s physiologically impossible to breathe deeply and feel stress.”

Leitzen Fye says a few life-changing events led her to open Your Core Being.

“My mother died almost 10 years ago, and I was devastated,” she says. “I started going to yoga regularly to help me to deal with my grief, and I realized I wanted to teach it. Also, a few years ago, I was in a serious car accident. It was yoga that made my body strong enough to withstand the injuries better, and allowed me to heal better.”

Health benefits of yoga include muscle and headache relief, improved cardiovascular function, better mental focus and stress reduction. “Many of my students tell me how much healthier they feel,” says Leitzen Fye. Your Core Being also offers Reiki, massage therapy, skin care and health coaching.

Learn more at yourcorebeing.com. ❚

Y F

(Lucrecia Laurel photo)

In Full Bloom: Orchid Exhibit Through March 1, Tues.-Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Hundreds of tropical orchids creatively displayed in the warm tropical exhibition area. Also, orchids for sale, orchid vendors, workshops, more.

Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, 1354 N. 2nd St., Rockford, (815) 987-8858, nicholasconservatory.com.

See Tango Buenos Aires, Feb. 7 at the Coronado in Rockford.

Lindo Classic Films: Fail Safe Feb 4, 1 & 7 p.m. A nuclear attack on Moscow is ordered by mistake. Can it be Rock Valley Cat Club Annual Show stopped? Henry Fonda, Walter Matthau. Cold Feb. 7-8, Sat. 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun. 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

War Series. First Wed. $5/$20 for series of 4 and 59th Annual Champion & Household Pet Show. bonus film. Lindo Theatre, 115 S. Chicago Ave., Judging in four rings daily. Vendors with catFreeport, (815) 233-0413, classiccinemas.com. related items. Forest Hills Lodge, 1601 W. Lane Road, Loves Park, (815) 877-8358, acfacat.com.

A Little Night Music Feb. 4-14, Wed.-Sun., see website for times. Jabali African Acrobats Sondheim musical inspired by the Bergman film Feb. 8, 1 & 4 p.m. These phenomenal acrobats Smiles of a Summer Night, with the hit song combine the artistry of fast-paced movement, “Send in the Clowns.” Studio Theatre, Rock Val- music, dance and incredible acrobatic elegance ley College (RVC), 3301 N. Mulford Road, Rock- to perform a full stage theatrical cirque extravaford, (815) 921-2160, rockvalleycollege.edu. ganza. Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 965-7606, rockfordpubliclibrary.org.

First Friday Rockford Feb. 6, 5 p.m. Monthly evening of art gallery Jazz At Emerson: Jodi Beach Trio demos/exhibits; shopping; dinner specials & en- Feb. 8, 3 p.m. Live jazz, complimentary brews tertainment at various downtown businesses. from Rockford Brewing Co., 320 Store snacks, East State & Main streets, Rockford, facebook. meet the artists. Emerson House, Rockford, com/FirstFridaysRockford.

(815) 964-9713, mendelssohnpac.org.

FAM Wine, Cheese & Chocolate Tasting Feb. 6, 6-9 p.m. Fundraiser for Freeport Art Museum. Silent auction includes top-rated wines, art-themed gifts and more. Freeport Art Museum, 121 N. Harlem Ave., Freeport, (815) 2359755, freeportartmuseum.org.

Fur Ball Rockford Feb. 7, 5:30 p.m. cocktails; 6:30 p.m. dinner.

Dance to live music at 9 p.m. Silent auction, raffle. Fundraiser for PAWS Humane Society. Tickets: (815) 299-7297. Event: Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford.

Tango Buenos Aires Feb. 7, 7:30 p.m. Direct from Buenos Aires: a journey of the life of Eva Peron through dance and music. Rockford Coronado Concert Association, Coronado Performing Arts Center (CPAC), 314 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 968-9863, rccaconcerts.net.

Chocolate Sundae Sunday Feb. 9, 2-4 p.m. Design your own sundae and visit the valentine-creation station. Music by the Auburn High School Jazz Ensemble. $2.50/$1.50 members. Museum admission extra. Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 963-6769, discoverycentermuseum.org.

Brian Regan Feb. 12, 7:30 p.m. One of the premier comedians in the country. With a good balance of sophisticated writing and physicality, his comedy spans generations. CPAC, Rockford, (815) 9680595, coronadopac.org.

RSO Valentine’s Day Concert Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m. Steven Larsen, conductor; Amy Conn, soprano. Pre-concert performance by the RSYO Sterling String Quartet. Prelude dinner available by reservation. CPAC, Rockford, rockfordsymphony.com. ❚

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WDL

Restaurant of the Week

Alchemy at Giovanni’s

By Peggy Werner

F

resh ideas, fresh air, fresh food and a fresh start describe Alchemy, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford’s first “convertible” restaurant. It was founded by Chef Al Castrogiovanni, a graduate of the the Illinois Institute of Chicago’s Culinary Arts Program, who was greatly inspired while working at fine Chicago restaurants with chefs Shawn McClain and Stephanie Izard.

The word “alchemy” means turning something ordinary into something extraordinary, and the trendy restaurant lives up to its name. It was part of a total renovation that took place three years ago, to transform Giovanni’s Restaurant & Convention Center into a banquet facility, with a new food and wine menu at Big Al’s Bar, an upscale sports bar, and Alchemy, which offers customers a more big-city atmosphere.

“Alchemy has its own vibe and feel,” Castrogiovanni says. “I always had a vision

Top Picks for Local Restaurants Amici Italian Grill  Upscale-Casual/Authentic Italian. 5506 Clayton Circle, Roscoe, (815) 623-7171. LD Sun-Th 11am-9pm, F-Sat 11am-10-pm. $-$$.

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

Butterfly Club  Fine Dining. 5246 E. Co. Road X, Beloit, Wis., (608) 362-8577. Sat T-Th 5pm, F 4:30-10pm, Sun noon-8pm. $$.

and knew what I wanted to do.

We do a lot of out-of-the-box thinking and customize everything.”

In warm weather, four large garage doors open along the screened-in south side, to allow for al fresco dining, and music is featured on the patio on Wednesdays in the summer.

Everything on the menu is made from scratch with fresh ingredients. A wood-fire oven cooks pizzas made from handcrafted dough, inspired by consultants hired to turn out the best pizza crust around, Castrogiovanni says. Creative pizzas include Chicago Dog, Thai Pie, Eggplant Parmesan, a bunny rabbit pizza for kids and a createyour-own section. The full service bar features 36 craft beers on tap.

Classic fare includes pastas, soups, salads, burgers and sandwiches, all with a

special twist. Most items are served on small plates, while big plate entrées include an 8-ounce filet roasted with fresh herb truffle butter; a 12-ounce New York Strip Steak; and a 10-ounce bone-in pork chop with bourbon sugar brine, smoked and roasted in a hot peach marmalade. Daily specials are also featured.

Alchemy’s kitchen is open from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Friday, 4-10 p.m.

Monday-Thursday, and 4-11 p.m. FridaySaturday. The bar is open 11 a.m.-midnight Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Friday, and 3 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday. ❚

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 Sun-Th11am10:30pm, F-Sat to 11:30pm. $-$$.

Café Fromage  Casual/American. Regional foods. 431 E. Pearl Bistro  Casual/American. Brick oven pizza, burgers, Grand Ave., Beloit, (608) 312-2070. BrLD M-F 7am-6pm, Sat- sandwiches, appetizers, steak, seafood, signature cocktails.

6876 Spring Creek, Rockford, (815) 654-3400. LD M-Th 11amSun 8am-5pm. $.

11pm, F-Sat to 12:30am, Sun to 8pm. $-$$.

Cannova’s Italian Cuisine  Casual. 1101 W. Empire St., FreePrairie Street Brewhouse  Upscale-Casual/American. 200 port, (815) 233-0032. D T-Th, Sun 5-9pm; F-Sat 10pm. $-$$.

Prairie St., Rockford, (815) 277-9427. LD Sun-W 11am-10pm, Ciao Bella Ristorante  Upscale-Casual/Italian-American. ExTh to midnight, F-Sat to 2am. $-$$. tensive wine list; daily specials. 6500 E. Riverside, Loves Park, Sisters Thai Café  Casual/Thai-Laotian. Authentic cuisine.

(815) 654-9900. LD M-F 11am-9pm, Sat 5-9pm. $$.

In Clock Tower Resort, 7801 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 229Costa’s Ristorante  Upscale-Casual. 133 Blackhawk Dr., By4545. L M-Sat 11am-2:30pm; D Sun-Th 5-9pm, Sat 10pm. $. ron, Ill., (815) 234-4707. Open daily 4pm. $-$$.

Tavern on Clark  Casual/American. 755 Clark Ave., Rockford, Giordano’s Famous Stuffed Pizza  Casual/Italian. Pick-up/ (815) 708-7088. LD daily 10am. $-$$. delivery. 333 Executive Pkwy., Rockford, Ill. (815) 398-5700. LD This Is It Eatery  Casual/American. 16 N. Chicago Ave., FreeSun-Th 9am-11p.m; F-Sat to midnight. $. port, (815) 616-5449. LD T-Th 11am-8pm, F-Sat 10pm. $.

JMK Nippon Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar  UpscaleCasual. Food cooked tableside. 2551 N. Perryville, Rockford, Vito’s Ristorante  Casual/Authentic Italian. 1620 N. Bell (815) 877-0505. L T-F 11:30am-2pm, Sat 2:30pm; D M-Th School Rd., Rockford, (815) 312-5080. LD T-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11pm. $$. ❚ 5-9:30pm, F-Sat 10:30pm, Sun 4:30-9:30pm. $$.

C

annova’s has been serving up authentic Italian dishes and pizza since Anthony and Philippina Cannova started the restaurant 1921.

Today, Linda and 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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T  I

Lengthen the Life of Your Car Tips for a safe, long-lasting vehicle

T

he experts at the Car Care Council offer these 10 general tips for those looking to maintain the life of their vehicles.

1.

Check all fluids, including engine oil, power steering, brake and transmission fluid as well as windshield washer solvent and antifreeze or coolant.

2. Check hoses and belts to make sure they are not cracked, brittle, frayed, loose or showing signs of wear.

3. Check the battery and replace if necessary.

4. Check the brake system annually and have the brake linings, rotors and drums inspected at each oil change.

5. Inspect the exhaust system for leaks, damage and broken supports or hangers if there is an unusual noise.

6. Check engine performance to make sure it is delivering the best balance of power and fuel economy and producing the lowest level of emissions.

7. Check the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system as proper heating and cooling performance is critical for interior comfort and safety.

8. Inspect the steering and suspension system annually, including shock absorbers, struts and chassis parts, such as ball joints, tie rod ends and other related components.

9. Check the tires, including tire pressure and tread. Uneven wear indicates a need for wheel alignment. Tires should also be checked for bulges and bald spots.

10. Check the wipers and lighting so that you can see and be seen. Check that all interior and exterior lighting is working properly and replace worn wiper blades so you can see clearly when driving during precipitation.

For more tips to extend the life of your car, visit carcare.org. ❚

Source: Family Features

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Y M

Survey Examines Americans and Their Finances

M

anaging money is a big part of life for the average American. This snapshot survey provides insight into the main money issues we face and attitudes we hold. ❚ Source: Family Features

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