iving Sm mart a r t L ivi Weekly Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • Rockford Region/Beloit 95¢ • July 3, 2019
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Right in Our Region
Byronfest Welcomes William Michael Morgan See Page 16
How to Prevent a Stroke Brighten Up Summer Flavors Do You Fear Home Automation? Petunia Festival Fun in Dixon
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2 Tickets to Sapora Playworld See Pg. 28 Details
Best of Life Information for Our Region’s Residents & Visitors Proudly Serving the Needs of 326,000 Neighbors - For Your Home, Health & Fun!
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In This Issue
Right in Our Region ........................Cover & p. 16 Byronfest Offers Music, Fun, Food Your Home ................................................... ..... 11 Make it Easier to Tidy Up Inspiration & Worship ......................................12 Controlling the Tongue Your Kitchen ......................................................15 Brighten Summer Flavors Your Technology ...............................................19 No Need to Fear Home Automation Your Outing ............................................. .......... 21 Petunia Fesitval Fun in Dixon Your Health ............................................. .......... 23 How to Prevent a Stroke Your Fun ................................................... ......... 25
Restaurant of the Week ................................... 26 Tavern on Clark Dining Locally .......................................... ........ 26 Your Money .............................................. ......... 29 We All Need to Write Down Final Wishes
Smart L iving Weekly ™
Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes
Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Managing Editor Lindsey Gapen Assistant Managing Editor Jermaine Pigee Editor Emeritus Janine Pumilia 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 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 2019 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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Happy Birthday! T
his week we celebrate July 4, the 1776 date when 13 American colonies risked death by declaring they’d had enough of King George III and his oppressive British Empire. Our nation was born that year, but European settlers had been living here for 175 years already; some families were into their fifth generations and not all was rosy. Religious life in the colonies was often bloody and repressive, with state leaders forcing their beliefs on citizens. Dissenters risked punishment and even death. Against this backdrop of turmoil from within and without, Thomas Jefferson wrote our Declaration of Independence with input from Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and other peers. It, along with the Constitution (1787) and Bill of Rights (1791) formed the backbone of our new country. It lays out the justification for independence and is mostly a long list of grievances against King George III. While taxation without representation is history’s headliner, Jefferson listed other complaints that feel strangely familiar. Similar ones have been waged against American presidents of both parties in recent years as the executive branch grows ever stronger. Among them: the king’s refusal to obey his own laws; his intentional efforts to make representation too cumbersome; his cutting off the colonies from world trade; his making judges “dependent on his will alone”; his elevating the military above civil powers; his intentionally inciting domestic insurrection; his depriving citizens of trial by jury; and his obstructing justice. Our founders knew the nature of man and tried their best to divide power between federal and state leaders and among three co-equal branches designed to check up on each other. They set down rules for representation. They guaranteed a free press in the First Amendment. And they made sure every citizen could make religious decisions independent of government coercion. They also cautioned us that overly zealous partisan politics may be our undoing. What more could they do? Setting up the USA was incredibly difficult. There may be only one thing more difficult: Keeping it. Enjoy our nation’s birthday party! ❚ Janine Pumilia SLW Editor
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Tidy Up Your Life with Some Organization By Janine Pumilia here’s a lot of talk these days about tidying up our lives, and for good reason. It helps us to feel better, save time and prioritize what really matters to us. This isn’t news to Joe Weller, who began installing closet systems more than 30 years ago. “Good organization saves you time and prevents frustration,” he says. Weller is glad to have more options for his customers today than he once had. “When I started in this business in 1985, most everything was shelf and pole construction and closet design wasn’t talked about much. That has changed,” says the owner of Shelving & Bath Unlimited, 4337 S. Perryville Road, Cherry Valley, Ill. Today, almost 80 percent of Weller’s customers opt for custom laminate closet systems that look like finished wood. Along with more than 50 melamine colors and textures, there are options for
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granite surfaces, glass shelves, motionactivated LED lighting – even LED lights inside the drawers if you like – built-in mirrors, jewelry trays, removable laundry bags, a fold-out ironing board, adjustable cubbies made for shoes, boots and handbags and much more. “Many people are using fewer or no dressers in their bedrooms and are choosing instead to maximize their closet space,” Weller explains. While some people go so far as to convert spare bedrooms into luxurious walk-in closets, others double or triple the efficiency of their reach-in closets by having them professionally designed. Either way, it’s the design expertise offered by Shelving Unlimited that makes it possible to meet organization goals, says Weller. “It’s all about good design. You can have the largest Taj Mahal-type closet in the world, but if it’s not functioning well
it can become one more mess to deal with.” Weller also designs storage solutions for the pantry, garage, laundry room, home office and basement. “Good organizational design plays a big role in making a home more functional and enjoyable,” he says. Along with adjustable-shelf laminate storage, Shelving Unlimited offers wireshelving systems by Rubbermaid, the No. 1 brand in the industry. ❚
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Controlling Our Tongues T
hroughout the Bible, leaders advise followers to control their thoughts and to control their tongues. Reckless thoughts lead to reckless words. These fracture fellowships, ruin lives, break hearts and even spark wars. In particular, words used to hurt or demonize other people are a sin against God. Opposing the actions of people is one thing; demonizing them is quite another and is never OK, says scripture. After all, God created everyone in His image. But how often we feel self-righteously justified in tearing others down! Self-control is a basic qualification of a good leader, says Timothy. It takes practice and no one reaches spiritual maturity without it. In I Corinthians, Apostle Paul compares spiritual selfdiscipline to the training needed to win athletic competitions. “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever,” he writes in I Cor. 9:25. When we don’t control our thoughts and mouths, we sin against one another and therefore sin against God. Here’s what James wrote about the power of the tongue in James 3:3-9 (NIV): “When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. “Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell... “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.” ❚ – Janine Pumilia
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You Deserve Juanita’s Unsurpassed Service Juanita Rinaldo, Gambino Realtors Here’s What Juanita’s Customers Have to Say:
“Juanita went completely out of her way to make sure that me and my husband got our dream house. It was a foreclosure which normally takes quite some time and we had it in a week. Juanita worked so hard for us and we truly appreciate how wonderful and caring she was to us.”
Marissa & Alex Bunk 815-979-2877 • jrinaldo@gogambino.com See more of my testimonials at my website: GoGambino.com/jrinaldo
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Brighten and Awaken Summer Flavors
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ummer provides plenty of opportunities to use fresh-picked flavors in classic recipes and newfound favorites. Here are two from Nature’s Intent Organic Apple Cider Vinegar and celebrity chef Candice Kumai. Find more at NaturesIntentVinegars.com.
Carrot Beauty Noodles
Servings: 2 2 c. cooked brown rice or quinoa 3 Tb organic red miso paste 3 Tb Nature’s Intent Organic Apple Cider Vinegar 1/4 cup rice vinegar 2 Tb roasted sesame oil 2 tsp honey 2 tsp freshly grated ginger 2 TB reduced-sodium tamari or soy sauce 9 cups spiralized carrots 2 cups shelled organic edamame 1 avocado, cubed 2 Tb fresh mint leaves 2 Tb ground sesame seeds
Cook rice or quinoa according to package directions. In medium mixing bowl, add red miso paste, apple cider vinegar, rice vinegar, roasted sesame oil, honey, ginger and tamari or soy sauce. Whisk well to combine. Add spiralized carrots, edamame and cooked rice or quinoa. Toss well to coat. Garnish with avocado cubes, fresh mint leaves and ground sesame seeds.
Peach Smoothie
Servings: 2 2 1/2 c. unsweetened almond milk 1/2 frozen banana 3/4 c. sweet-potato puree 3 c. frozen organic peaches 1/4 tsp. freshly ground ginger 1/4 tsp. cinnamon 1 scoop collagen powder 1-2 Tb Nature’s Intent Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
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In blender, combine almond milk, banana, sweet-potato puree, peaches, ginger, cinnamon, collagen powder and apple cider vinegar; blend until smooth. Serve immediately. ❚ Source: Family Features
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R O R
32nd Byronfest Serves up Music and Fun
By Peggy Werner ew music and food options and two beer gardens will be part of this year’s 32nd ByronFest celebrated in downtown Byron on July12-14. During the festival, the small town of about 3,000 grows 10 times larger and showcases all that Byron has to offer, says Sarah Downs, executive director of the Byron Chamber of Commerce. Each year, organizers find ways to make the event even better. This year, the festival layout is being changed to make the traffic flow smoother. Also, for an extra $20, a brand new VIP area gives 200 people special amenities both Friday and Saturday nights, with beer garden access. Downs says ByronFest is known for its non-stop music on two stages. The Exelon Stage is located on Second Street and the Byron Lyons Stage is in Municipal Parking Lot 1.
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“My goal is always to provide a wide variety of musical styles so there’s something for everyone,” says Downs. “I don’t think there’s a popular genre of music that isn’t represented.” Headliners this year include Nashville’s William Michael Morgan, who’s on tour this summer, having made his claim to fame with his first No. 1 hit, “I Met a Girl.” Other chart-climbing hits including “Missing,” and “Vinyl,” the title track to his debut album of the same name. Influenced by music legends Keith Whitley and Merle Haggard, Morgan has earned a reputation as one of country’s great singer-songwriters. He’ll perform from 10 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday on the Byron Lions Stage at ByronFest. Opening for Morgan is Dylan Jakobsen, who is quickly making a name for himself in country music with his first
July 3
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single, “In America,” which is climbing country music charts. Jakobsen will perform from 8 to 9:30. Other performers on the Lions Stage include, on Friday, Smokin’ Gunz from 5 to 7 p.m., Stevee Nix from 7:15 to 9:15 p.m., and Two White Crew from 10 p.m. to midnight; on Saturday, Mike and Adam from noon to 2 p.m., Love & Thunder from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. and Zac Matthews from 5 to 8 p.m.; and on Sunday, Three Good Men from noon to 2:30 p.m. and Big Uproar from 3 to 5 p.m. The Exelon Stage will feature, on Friday, Vodka Boys from 5 to 7 p.m., Colonel Gunn’s from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. and Catfight from 10 to midnight; on Saturday, Flight Risk from noon to 3 p.m., Monroe from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., Party Doctors from 6 to 8:30 p.m., and Sunset Strip from 9 to midnight; and on Sunday,
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That Gurl from noon to 2:30 p.m. and Audio Drive from 3 to 5 p.m. Taste of Byron features about a dozen food vendors. New ones include Cantina Tacos of Rockford and a new business coming to Byron called Paradise Nutrition. Returning vendors include Old Folks BBQ of Rockford; Peking Foods of Iowa, with Chinese food; Bangkok House from Va., with Thai selections; and vendors selling popcorn, polish sausage, nachos and ice cream bars. Byron’s
own Sam’s Drive-in will sell Italian Beef, root beer floats and ice cream. Costa’s will offer pizza by the slice and Chicken George will sell deep-fried, beer-battered chicken strips. The Dakota High School Cheerleaders will sell homemade Lemonade Shake-ups and JPG Concessions of Poplar Grove will offer fair food. Other ByronFest highlights include carnival rides from 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Advance tickets are available at the Byron Fire Department. A Bags Tournament will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday with registration for teams of two beginning at 10 a.m.; a vendor show will feature local businesses from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday; a 5k Run will take place at 8 a..m. Saturday; and a parade is at 2 p.m. Sunday. An all-weekend quilt show will be at the Museum of History, 110 N. Union for $5. ByronFest is an annual fundraiser for the Byron Chamber of Commerce.
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More than 300 volunteers make the festival happen, Downs says. Nearly everyone in the community supports it in some way, through sponsorship, participation or attendance, she says. Several nonprofit groups pitch in each year, including the Boy Scouts, Tebala Shriners, local fire departments and churches, Byron High School Football players, Byron Junior Tackle and Stillman Valley boys basketball players. The Ogle County Probation Department organizes opportunities for community service hours. Admission to the festival is $5 in advance or $10 at the gate. Children under age 7 are admitted free. Admission wristbands are available at dozens of local merchants in Byron and surrounding towns. For a full list of locations, visit byronfest.org. With a wristband, people can enter the beer gardens, entertainment stages and Taste of ByronFest at no extra charge. No wristbands are required on Sunday, which is Family Day. ❚
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Don’t Be Afraid of Home Technology By Peggy Werner
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on’t let your fear of technology cheat you from making life easier. Giving it a try is easier than you may think, says Charles Zambrano, owner of EZ Satellite and Wireless, 6239 N. 2nd St. in Loves Park. He’s expanded his business to help people save money, time and energy by using home automation. Zambrano works with Nest to bring the convenience of home automation into the lives of his customers. He says it’s not a difficult change to make. “I’m finding out that a lot of people are afraid of technology, but if they try it and find out how much easier life can be, they enjoy the benefits. Everyone has a smart phone, but not everyone is using it to the fullest capacity,” he says. The number of “smart” devices is growing, and so are options for connecting those devices to local area networks. This allows people to monitor and access their homes and businesses remotely.
For example, cameras allow you to see what’s going on inside and outside your home, or talk to people at your door, when you’re away. Switch lights on and off, change thermostat settings and lock or unlock doors remotely. “In this age of e-commerce, your phone can let you know when someone is at your door, when a package is delivered and other notifications about what’s going on at home,” Zambrano says. Nest offers all services on one application, which is a one-time purchase for installation, with no additional charge for monitoring.
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“We’re just keeping pace with what’s available to customers and helping people to manage their lives better by getting them to use technology that’s available to them,” says Zambrano. EZ Satellite &Wireless also is an authorized dish network retailer licensed to offer services from any provider using dish, cable, internet and home security, such as Rise Broadband, Comcast, Frontier, HughesNet, DishNet, DirectTV, Digitenna and Vivint. The EZ Solar Energy branch provides savings to homeowners who switch to solar power. There’s no down payment and fixed-rate financing, discounts and rebates are available. EZ Solar helps with permits, applications and obtaining a fixed-interest loan, for those who qualify. Contact EZ Satellite & Wireless at (815) 957-4335 or EZ Solar at (815) 200-9057 or stop by the office. Learn more at EZsatellitenow.com and EZsolarenergynow.com. ❚
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Dixon Petunia Festival Fun Through July 7 By Peggy Werner
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he 55th annual Petunia Festival, always celebrated in conjunction with the Fourth of July, will continue this week through Sunday, July 7, in downtown Dixon and along the riverfront. At least 24 artists will perform at this year’s event on two stages; the Bud Light Stage on the corner of River Street and Galena Avenue, and the Slain Construction Stage, in front of the President Ronald Reagan statue on River Street and Hennepin Avenue. Friday is Country Night and will spotlight North Carolina’s Chris Lane at 8:30 p.m. Lane launched his career in Nashville in 2016 with “Girl Problems,” and is on a national tour promoting his second album, “Laps Around the Sun,” which reflects his quest for self discovery through song. Fifteen-year-old guitarist Brandon “Taz” Niederauer has played with some
of the country’s most prominent musicians and will perform at 8:30 p.m. Saturday. Classic Country star Lyle Grobe, performing for more than 50 years, will be back with his Rhythm Ramblers at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, followed by the seven-piece ensemble, Downtown Rhythm Kings, performing at 6:30 Sunday. All headliners will be at the Bud Light Stage. Traditional features of Petunia Festival will include tours of the late President Ronald Reagan’s boyhood home; Pancakes in the Park; the 35th annual KSB Tennis Classic; Ultimate Air Dogs Show; Cruise in Style Car Show; bags tournament, games and amusement rides by North American Midway Entertainment Carnival. The Dixon Dish will feature pizza, tacos, corn dogs and elephant ears, plus more food vendors along the riverfront from 5 to 11 p.m. Wednesday and Friday
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and from noon to 11 p.m. Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. The Dixon High School Athletic Boosters will open the festival Wednesday through Sunday with “Pancakes in the Park,” serving pancakes and sausage from 6 to 11 a.m. Cost is $7 for adults and $3 for children. Festival tickets are $8 per day for those 13 and older, younger children free. Purchase a five-day ticket for $25 at the Dixon Welcome Center on Main Street, at the Chamber of Commerce office, or online at petuniafestival.org. ❚
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Prevent Strokes by Doing the ‘Simple Seven’ By Lindsey Gapen, managing editor
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oughly 800,000 Americans suffer strokes each year. About 25 percent of them are under age 65. Stroke is the leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the U.S. Can we do anything to prevent stroke? Yes. “Actually, about 80 percent of all strokes and cardiovascular disease are considered preventable by the American Heart Association,” says Dr. Shawn Wallery, a neurohospitalist and the medical director of neurovascular and stroke care at Mercyhealth. Dr. Shawn Wallery
“Risk factors are important to modify no matter what specific age you are.” He finds The American Heart Association’s Simple Seven to be an ideal guide for living a healthy life. It details how to eat healthy, stay active, lose weight, stop smoking, manage blood pressure, control cholesterol and reduce blood sugar. “If you can do at least five of those things, the American Heart Association has found a 78 percent risk reduction for heart-related death compared to people with no ideal metrics,” Wallery says. “That’s really an incredible statistic because, when you think about how we are growing older as a society, the only real way that we’re going to be able to fund the burden of chronic disease is if we do [the simple seven] up front.” Instead of recommending exercise for his patients, Wallery prescribes 150
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minutes of exercise per week, broken down into a daily routine. “As physicians we prescribe medications, but do we prescribe methodologies as a way to keep people healthy? That’s not done as often,” he says. That’s not to say medication is unimportant. “You’d be surprised at how many people simply don’t take their medications, especially blood pressure medications,” Wallery says. “They can significantly reduce the risk of stroke.” If a stroke does occur, time is of the essence. Any abrupt onset of symptoms should be taken seriously. Go to strokeassociation.org. to learn symptoms. “Always assume it’s a stroke until proven otherwise,” Wallery cautions. “We’ll be ready for you in the emergency room.” ❚
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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
Tourism
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.
'Star Spangled Spectacular' July 3, 8 p.m. Join Rockford Symphony Orchestra at Starlight Theatre for a celebraRockford, IL 61101 1.800.521.0849 gorockford.com tion of our nation's birthday. (815) 921-2160, rockvalleycollege.edu. 9/10/07 2:07:37 PM
July 4 Spectacular - Rockford The 55th annual Rockford 4th of July Parade starts at 7 p.m. from 7th Street and 6th Avenue. It goes west on State Street, crosses the bridge, and ends at Chestnut and Winnebago streets. At 9:30 p.m., 5,000 shells from all over the world will be ignited in a 30-minute fireworks show synchronized to music. Audubon Mural Walks July 5 & 12, 6:30 p.m. Join Sinnissippi Audubon for a 1-hour, 1-mile walk to learn about bird murals in downtown Rockford. Learn about the birds, habitat, artists, etc. at each location. Begins at 317 Market St. and includes a stop at the News Tower, where peregrine falcons have nested since 2018. 'The Mousetrap' July 5-7, Thu.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Agatha Christie’s play sees a group of strangers stranded in a boarding house during a snowstorm. Stage Coach Players, DeKalb, Ill., (815) 758-1940, stagecoachers.com. Concerts on the Creek July 6, 7 p.m. Denny Diamond, performing the music of Neil Diamond. Spring Creek United Church of Christ, (815) 877-2576, springcreekucc.org. Baltic Mill Stage - Trinadora July 7, 6:30 p.m. Jazz to country and beyond, by local favorite, Trinadora. Free. 920 W. Lincoln Ave., Belvidere, Ill. boonecountyarts. com, (815) 544-6242. Music in the Park - Rockford Concert Band July 9, 7 p.m. "A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening." William Petersen, conductor, with Joe Kania on clarinet and vocalist Judy Knudtson. Sinnissippi Band Shell, 1401 N. 2nd St., Rockford. Rain site: Guilford High School. Tuesdays at Anderson Gardens, Pieta Brown July 9, 5:45 p.m. Pieta Brown, with Andrew Robinson opening. Doors open at 5 p.m. Food & drink for purchase or BYO food (but not drink). AndersonGardens.org.
Learn about Rockford Sinnissippi Audubon murals during guided walks July 5 & 12.
Starlight Theatre July 10-Aug. 10. All five shows in the 2019 Starlight Theatre season play this month. They include "Mamma Mia!," "The Addams Family," "West Side Story," "Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" and the children's show, "Madagascar." RVC, (815) 921-2160. See full schedule at rockvalleycollege.edu. Music in the Park - Mr. Big Stuff July 11, 7 p.m. This high-energy 8-piece horn party band plays everything from Sinatra to Ozzy. Show tunes, rock classics, funk, R&B, soul. Sinnissippi Band Shell, 1401 N. 2nd St., Rockford. Rain site: Guilford High School. Second Sundays at Macktown July 14, 2-4 p.m. "The First Surveyors" explores how surveyors did their jobs when settlers first arrived here. Macktown Living History Center, 2221 Freeport Road, Rockton, Ill. (815) 624-4200. Klehm Woodsong - Groove Hotel July 21, 6 p.m.; Gates open at 4 p.m. Pack your blanket and a picnic dinner and enjoy the show in the midst of Klehm's fragrant Fountain Garden. The Groove Hotel’s continually evolving repertoire emphasizes rhythmic variety. You’ll hear swing, bossa nova, funk, rock, samba, gospel and Cuban tunes. $5 members, $10 non-members, children 12 & under free. Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden, 2715 S. Main St., (815) 965-8146. Klehm.org. Ski Broncs Water Show Team July 10 & 12, 7 p.m., and all Wednesdays and Fridays through Labor Day. Enjoy watching the world-class team perform on the Rock River at Shorewood Park, 235 Evelyn Ave., Loves Park. Free admission, free bleacher seating. ❚
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July 3
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WDL
Restaurant of the Week
Tavern on Clark: Great Food, Friendly Atmosphere By Peggy Werner
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rothers-in-law Sam Sabani and Dan Isai decided to create an eatery and bar with top-quality food and a great atmosphere, where business partners, couples, family and friends could gather for all occasions. The result is Tavern on Clark, 755 Clark Dr.. “We were very intentional in creating what we describe as the classic American tavern, with a fresh, new, clean look, where there’s something for everyone,” says Sabani. A full-service bar offers signature cocktails, an extensive wine list, about 40 bottled beers and eight domestic and imported drafts. Menu offerings include aged center-cut steaks and chops, fresh salads, flatbreads, appetizers, pasta and ribs. Lunch and dinner specials include a Friday fish fry and Saturday prime rib, as well as regular Ahi tuna, mahi mahi and
surf-and-turf deals. “We spent a lot of time researching what people wanted,” says Isai. “We offer quality you can’t find elsewhere.” All steaks and hamburgers are made from USDA-certified Black Angus beef, and all menu items are made-to-order from fresh produce, locally grown when possible. Signature dishes include a 10-ounce certified Black Angus beef burger and craft ale beer-battered sidewinder sea-salted French fries, served with a Wisconsin Cheddar beer sauce. Desserts include carrot cake, chocolate cake, New York cheesecake and more. The space is open and inviting, with plenty of natural light to showcase the quality décor of dark woods, stone walls, earth-toned granite countertops and por-
celain tile. Large booths seat six comfortably, and a private dining room, with a wall-mounted flat screen TV and a fireplace, seats 50 and can accommodate business meetings and presentations. Tavern on Clark opens daily at 11 a.m. for lunch. Dinner is served until 10 p.m. on weekdays, 11 p.m. on weekends. The bar is open later. ❚
In the Spotlight 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.
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. $-$$.
Backyard Grill & Bar Casual/American. 5390 Elevator Road, Roscoe, Ill., (815) 623-6677. 2nd St., Loves Park, Ill., (815) 6369430. LD M-Th 11am-midnight, F-Sat to 2am, Sun noon-10 p.m. $-SS.
Lino’s Italian/American. 5611 E. State St., Rkfd. (815) 397-2077. D M-Sat 4:30am-10pm; Sun. 4:30am-9 pm. $$.
Bravo Pizza Italian/American. 376 Prairie Hill Road, S. Beloit, Ill., (815) 624-7900. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11pm. $. Capital House Lunches, fine dining, sushi bar, gourmet coffee & pastries, martini bar. 308 W. State St., Rockford, (815) 708-8989. LD T-Th 11am-10pm, Fri.-Sat. 11 am-10pm. $-$$$. Ciao Bella Ristorante Upscale-Casual/Italian-American. Daily specials. 6500 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park, Ill. (815) 654-9900. LD M-F 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sat. 5-10 p.m. $$ 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. $$ Giordano’s Casual/Italian. Stuffed pizza, salads, entrees, sandwiches, desserts. 33 Executive Parkway, Rockford, (815) 398-5700. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11 pm. 26
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Maciano’s Casual Italian. 6746 Broadcast Pkwy., Loves Park, (815) 633-7500; & 5801 Columbia Pkwy., Rkfd., (815) 227-5577. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11pm. $-$$. 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.-2 p.m. Sun. 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Weekend brunch. Large menu, Swedish pancakes specialty. $$ Taco Betty’s Casual/Mexican-American. 212 E. State St., Rkfd., (815) 977-5650. LD Daily 11am-1am. $$. ❚
July 3
To advertise call 815-316-2300
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Cannova’s
annova’s has been serving up authentic Italian dishes and pizza since Anthony and Philippina Cannova started the restaurant in 1921. Today, their granddaughter, Linda, and her husband, Patrick Beckman, carry on the tradition, at 1101 W. Empire St., Freeport. 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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Put Your End-of-Life Wishes into Writing By Janine Pumilia
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ttorney James Meason has practiced in some of the largest cities of the country. But opening his own law office in Rockton, Ill., in 1997, was one of the best decisions he ever made. “By being a small-town attorney, I can really help people,” he says. “I grew up in a working class neighborhood of Chicago, went to public school and was the first person in my family to attend college. I know how hard people work. I hate to see how some attorneys complicate things in order to charge more money. Sometimes they build you a lunar module when all you need is a mini van.” One thing all adults do need, however, regardless of age, is to put into writing end-of-life wishes related to healthcare and assets, with help from an attorney, says Meason. A living will is a directive to your
doctor that documents your ideas on what, if any, extraordinary measures you’d want taken to prolong your life if you were incapacitated by illness or injury. This can happen to anyone at any age, as the case of 26-year-old Terry Schiavo demonstrated in 1990. That landmark case dragged out for 15 years because Schiavo’s wishes were undocumented. “Everyone, regardless of their financial situation, should name a power of attorney for healthcare and also a power of attorney for handling finances,” says Meason. “And, everyone should have a will. By law, if your assets are greater than $100,000 (and that includes your home), you should have a trust set up to prevent your heirs from having to send your estate through the lengthy and costly probate process.” That threshold is just $50,000 in Wisconsin. Seeking legal help makes sense at
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many other key moments in life, too. “You would not believe the messes people find themselves in because they didn’t consult an attorney when Attorney James Meason setting up their business or closing a real estate transaction, for example,” says Meason. He cautions it’s risky to take a “do it yourself” approach to law. “You get what you pay for.” Meason’s services include family law, estate planning, real estate, business law, mediation and environmental law. Find him at 113 N. Main St. in Rockton, Ill., or go to measonlaw.com or call (815) 624-6517. ❚
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