Smart Living Weekly - December 14, 2016 by Northwest Quarterly Mag

Special Holiday Savings Inside!

Sm mart a L iving Weekly Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • Rockford Region/Beloit 95¢ • December 14, 2016

™

Right in Our Region

Holiday Light Shows! See Page 20

Holiday Events Save Money on Tech Why Remodel Your Home? Know Your Breast Cancer Risk Delicious Smoothie Recipes

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Smart Living Weekly

Issue 1

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In This Issue

Right in Our Region ........................Cover & p. 22 Holiday Lights Your Home .................................................. ..... 11 Remodel Your Home Inspiration & Worship ......................................12 Who is Jesus? Your Kitchen ...............................................14, 15 Delicious Smoothies, Main Street Meats Your Health ............................................. .......... 25 Know Your Risks

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Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Managing Editor Janine Pumilia Assistant Managing Editor Lindsey Gapen Deputy Editor Jermaine Pigee Graphics Director Blake Nunes Graphic Designer Samantha Ryan Contributing Writers Peggy Werner General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes Account Executives Brian Hughes, Jeremy Jones Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes 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 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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Dec 14 To advertise call 815-316-2300

Christmas King T

his is the last 2016 issue of Smart Living Weekly and we’ll resume on Jan. 4. Owners Bill & Lisa Hughes believe in the importance of family and Christmas, and we employees appreciate the paid holiday break. What does Christmas mean to you? For me, it’s a time to reflect on Jesus Christ and his own words. This means spending time in the New Testament. It’s there that I learn about his value system and compare it to my own. They never align quite closely enough. In Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus is asked to name the most important commandment. He replies: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” This is not easy to wrap my head around. God is a spirit, yet we Westerners live in societies fixated on the tangible – and lots of it. And the idea of loving strangers as we love ourselves … Well, it runs counter to nearly everything I know about our “me first” society. All of which leads me to ponder grace. Christ knows our weakness but loves us anyway and insists we pay that love forward. We’re so good at skirting those two greatest commandments. How much easier it is to be a Christian by label than to internalize a message we don’t want to hear. How much easier to define ourselves by what and who we’re against than to embrace Christ’s call to love. And yet, inexplicably and undeniably, what we do for the least lovable is what we do for Christ. (Matthew 25:45). To be honest, I’m worn out from a 2016 marked by the ugliest election I’ve ever seen. I need the Christmas message to restore my peace and perspective. Maybe you do, too. The Messiah could have come to us riding a bolt of lightning, but he came clothed in humility, offering both eternal life and a better way to live this life. Jesus Christ is our only King – always was, still is. Merry Christmas! ❚ Janine Pumilia Managing Editor

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Y O

So Many Upcoming Local Events to Enjoy! H

ere’s a look at some upcoming events for the holidays and beyond that we can look forward to this month, Now through Dec. 31, shop for uniquely local items at the Stephenson County Visitors Center Holiday Gift and Farmers Market Expo on US Hwy 20 East. From 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Products range from Pretzel items to books, cards, rugs, mugs and more. The gifts are either produced in Stephenson County or highlight some aspect of local culture and history.

On Dec 17, the 12 Bars of Christmas pub crawl will happen in downtown Rockford. Holiday cheer and revelry will be on display as you wind your way through 12 local bars and restaurants. On Dec. 17 & 18, a Holiday Pops Concert will be performed at Coronado Performing Arts Center. Celebrate the holiday season as the Mendelssohn Chorale joins the Rockford Symphony Orchestra to bring you the best music of the season, from popular to traditional and sentimental to serious. Dec. 18 is Freeport Community Luminaria Night. Enjoy the beauty of Freeport’s Stephenson Street and Lincoln Boulevard luminaria. Residents of the neighborhood around FHN Memorial Hospital decorate their sidewalks with luminaria to celebrate the season. Christmas Heritage Exhibits will be on display through Dec 18 at the Eth-

nic Heritage Museum. See ethnic Christmas heritage traditions in six ethnic galleries: African American, Irish, Italian, Hispanic, Lithuanian and Polish. On Dec. 31, Countdown to Fun will take place at Discovery Center Museum. Design a party hat, create a noisemaker, and get showered with confetti. Find out where in the world it’s midnight, each hour, and countdown to fun. New Year Around the World is Dec. 31 at Burpee Museum. Visit displays of authentic items from other cultures, watch performances of folk dances from different countries, and join the hourly countdown to ring in 2017. The Illinois Snow Sculpting Competition will take place Jan. 18 - 21 at Sinnissippi Park. Teams from around the state will compete for the right to represent Illinois in the 2018 U.S. Nationals Snow Sculpting Competition. ❚

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Dec 14 To advertise call 815-316-2300

Y H  G

Home Upgrades Make Sense Any Time By Janine Pumilia, managing editor

he majority of today’s homebuyers are looking for homes that have been updated and they’re willing to pay more for them. “In fact, we ﬁnd that if the home is not updated and fresh, it will always be reﬂected in a much lower selling price,” says Frank Gambino, owner of Gambino Realtors and Gambino Building and Remodeling. And, those people who update their homes just for their own enjoyment reap a significant psychological benefit. “They feel better and happier about their surroundings,” says Gambino. For more than 90 years, the Gambinos have been leaders in selling real estate as well as building and remodeling homes in the region. Recently, Gambino opened a new building/remodeling design center and showroom at 6114 E. Riverside Blvd.,

in Loves Park, to help customers have a better experience with the design and decision-making process. “The advantage for our customers is that it’s more convenient and the showroom offers a wider sampling of kitchen and bath materials and ideas,” says Gambino. “People are very visual. It’s a lot easier to have something to look at before a plan is set in stone. We’re able to really talk and look over the options, so we feel we’re making the right decision.” Gambino’s contractors average 20 years or more of working for the Gambinos. “We believe in quality and trustworthy craftsmen,” says Gambino. “What sets us apart from the box stores and other remodelers is that we handle the pro-

cess from start to finish. Because we do the design work for the project, as well as supply all labor and many of the products, our customers only have one point of contact for all of their needs.Gambino Building and Remodeling’s showroom is open to the public and you can stop in anytime. In some instances, you can get a quote right there for your project.” Call (815) 637-0113 to learn more. ❚

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I  W

Who is Jesus? W

hen people asked Jesus who he was, he didn’t always provide a straight answer; he knew when they were trying to trap him rather than learn the truth. But to those who sought him sincerely, Jesus made no secret. In the gospel of Luke, Jesus’ first explains his identity shortly after he’s baptized by John, his cousin, and filled with holy spirit. After resisting Satan’s temptations for 40 days and nights in the desert, he returns to Nazareth and teaches in the synagogue where he grew up. From the scroll of Isaiah he reads: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:18-21 NIV) Jesus knew he would be killed for proclaiming himself the Messiah, but he also knew the timing of his execution had to be right. He had a ministry to carry out and disciples to train, before his departure from earth. Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say I am?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “The Christ [Messiah] of God.” Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. (Luke 9:18-21) Who do you think Jesus is? A character of fiction? Just one more prophet? The only perfect son of God and our Messiah? For each of us, no other question matters more. ❚ -- Janine Pumilia

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Y K

Get ‘Home-Cooked’ Food on the Run

By Peggy Werner n the run, but want a good homecooked meal? Stop in at 2nd Street Deli Grill and Catering, located in Main Street Meat Company, 9515 N. 2nd St., Roscoe, to grab a cup of homemade soup, plus salads, sandwiches and desserts, while relaxing in the home-like setting. “We have so much to choose from. We just want to provide the community with different choices for quality meat and homemade products,” says Amy King, who owns the business with her husband, Jim. Their son, Matt, runs the store, and daughter Hannah also works for them. Signature sandwiches can be purchased as a halves or whole, with chips or a deli salad and a medium fountain beverage – or design your own creation from a large selection of meats, cheeses, toppings, sauces, and breads.

Smart Living Weekly

Some of the delicious tastes combinations include Little Italy, a sandwich made with prosciutto, capicola, pepperoni, and provolone cheese; Hononegah Indian Sub is made from smoked ham and smoked turkey, summer sausage and smoked Cheddar cheese. The Chicken Coup is made from homemade chicken salad, cranberries, pepper Jack cheese and walnuts. Cold Corny Cow is made from slowly cooked in-house corned beef, with creamy cole slaw and Swiss cheese on a rye loaf. From the Grill, there is Perfect Pastrami, made with brown mustard, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese on rye; the King Burger, a half-pound burger with onion rings, bacon, Cheddar cheese, mayonnaise and BBQ sauce. Squealler is made from the award-winning Pulled Pork – overflowing with juices and a smoky de-

Dec 14 To advertise call 815-316-2300

licious flavor. The deli also will provide trays of meats, vegetables, fruits and other food for parties or as gifts. Some of the extras include French fries, Parmesan potato chips, cheese curds, macaroni and cheese, chicken tenders and corn dogs – all made on site. The Deli is open during store hours from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5p.m. Sunday. ❚

Y K

A Smooth Way to Start Your Day A

wealth of research shows that starting each morning with a nutritious breakfast delivers beneﬁts throughout the day. Put a fresh spin on a time-saving favorite by making a smoothie bowl. Smoothie bowls typically have a thicker consistency than traditional smoothies, and according to a recent study in the “American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,” the thicker the smoothie, the more full you will feel. “You can add in healthy ingredients that you might not be able to eat on a daily basis like spinach, basil, mint, cinnamon, nut butters or avocado,” says Carolyn Brown, a registered dietitian and nutritionist at Foodtrainers in New York City. Brown points out that in her experience with clients, people love to eat with a spoon and ﬁnd it more mentally and physically satisfying. The same goes for adding texture, such as a crunchy top-

ping like goodnessknows snack squares. These satisfying, gluten-free snacks are crafted with the goodness of whole nuts, real fruits and toasted oats, with no artiﬁcial colors, ﬂavors or sweeteners. Divided into four snackable squares per serving and nestled in a layer made with dark chocolate, one individual, two-bite square contains only about 40 calories. Find out more at goodnessknows. com.

Apple Pie Smoothie Bowl

Recipe courtesy of Anna Luther of “My Life and Kids” Ingredients: 1/2 cup Greek yogurt 1 frozen banana 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce 1/4 cup raw oats 1/2 cup milk (or unsweetened almond or coconut milk) 1 TB cinnamon

1 TB vanilla honey, to taste (optional) Toppings: Diced apples Shaved almonds Cinnamon goodnessknows apple almond & peanut dark chocolate snack squares Preparation: In blender, mix all smoothie ingredients until smooth. Add honey to increase sweetness, if desired. Add toppings before serving. ❚

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Dec 14 To advertise call 815-316-2300

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Reduce the Cost of Monthly Tech Bills By Peggy Werner

hile thinking about all the money you have to spend this holiday season, why not also think about ways to save money on your monthly tech bills? EZ Satellite & Wireless, 6239 N. 2nd St., Suite B, in Loves Park, can help with that. “People are paying too much for phone, internet, and television services by using just one company,” says Charles Zambrano, owner. “You don’t have to choose just one company to save money. People get excited when they see promotions because they’re just looking at the price, which will jump up dramatically after the special offer ends. Plus, they don’t always know exactly what they’re getting – and what you don’t know can hurt you.” When you purchase TV and internet service through EZ Satellite & Wireless, you’ll get a $100 gift card when you share the news with someone else.

EZ Satellite &Wireless is an authorized dish network retailer and also is licensed to offer services from any other provider using dish, cable, internet and home security, such as Comcast, Frontier, HughesNet, DishNet, DirectTV, Digitenna, and Vivint. EZ Satellite specializes in helping people make the right choices based on what they need and where they live, so they can save money. The family-owned business opened in 2011, in Roscoe, and moved to a larger, more visible location in Loves Park last May, adding a new bill-paying center for customer convenience. EZ Satellite & Wireless is a full service retailer for satellite TV and internet, and can also help people to acquire cable services. About 80 percent of his business is working with residential customers in Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. The

company also works with businesses. After working for many years as a satellite dish installer for one of the local providers, Zambrano decided to go out on his own to be more in control of his life and to help others do the same. “I love to see people’s faces when they find out how much money they can save,” he says. For more information, contact EZ Satellite & Wireless at (815) 957-4335 or stop by the office. ❚

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These Shows Light Up the Holidays By Lindsey Gapen, assistant managing editor oliday light shows around our region are transforming the landscape into a winter wonderland. For just a few more weeks, you can experience glowing displays at Sinnissippi Park, Nicholas Conservatory and the downtown riverbanks in Rockford. Upriver, in Janesville, you can enjoy the spectacular illuminations at Rotary Botanical Gardens. Rockford Lights Displays Thanks to the Rockford Park District, opportunities abound for families and friends to enjoy a city that’s a little bit brighter. The park district, in conjunction with Rockford Fourth of July Committee, presents The Holiday Festival of Lights, an annual display that twinkles against the scenic backdrop of Sinnissippi Park, 1401 N. Second St. The festival has grown immensely since it began in 1989,

Smart Living Weekly

when it had only 11 displays. Now, visitors can drive through the park’s winding roads and admire more than 50 dazzling showcases that include Santa Claus, reindeer, snowmen, nativity scenes and much more, all sponsored by local businesses and organizations. “This familiar family favorite continues to change every year,” says Laura Gibbs-Green, public relations manager for the Rockford Park District. “We’re very proud and happy to present this to the public.” Driving through The Holiday Festival of Lights is free, although donations are appreciated. The displays are aglow on Fri.-Sun. through Dec. 25 from 5-10 p.m., and will stay on all night Christmas Eve and until 10 p.m. on Christmas Day. Learn more at rockfordfireandice.com. Just across the street, Nicholas

Dec 14 To advertise call 815-316-2300

Conservatory & Gardens, 1354 N. Second St., hosts All Aglow Holiday Display through Jan. 8. Sparkling holiday lights and beautiful floral displays enhance the already merry conservatory, and the outdoor grounds are also aglow for the

Photography by Jesse Fox

R  O R season. Regular admissions charges apply for the display inside the conservatory. Regular hours are Tues.-Fri. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. However, extended holiday hours occur Dec. 27-30, when the lights are aglow until 8 p.m. On Dec. 24 & 31, the lights are on from 10 a.m.-2p.m. “The grounds are completely transformed by more than 160,000 lights – it’s really above and beyond this year,” Gibbs-Green says. “Santa and Mrs. Claus often stop by, and the tropical backdrop provides magnificent scenery for family photos, making this a great event for families to enjoy together.” Visit nicholasconservatory.com for more information. Crossing the river, Rockford River Lights is brightening the downtown cityscape for the second consecutive year, thanks to Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. Through Dec. 31, a palette of brilliant color that’s noticeable from near and far illuminates the

riverside. On Friday and Saturday evenings from 5:30-8:30 p.m., light shows choreographed to music can be enjoyed free of charge every 15 minutes. “Viewing is best from the walking path that makes its way through the light show on the west bank of the Rock River between the State and Jefferson Street bridges,” says Josh Albrecht, director of marketing for the RACVB. “River Lights illuminates downtown Rockford’s riverbanks in a way the community hasn’t experienced before. The sight will take your breath away.” Visit rockfordriverlights.com for more information. Rotary Gardens Holiday Light Show The Holiday Light Show at Rotary Botanical Gardens, 1455 Palmer Drive, in Janesville, returns for its 21st year with more to see than ever before. The gardens glow with almost half a million lights, 100 decorated trees and animated displays. There’s music, seasonal food and drink, plus photo opportunities

for festive Christmas cards. This year, you’ll find 600 dangling icicle lights hung from the tallest trees in the garden, more than 2,000 luminaries and more. “Most of the other area light shows, while beautiful, are made to be driven through, but ours is one of the few walkthrough light shows in this region,” says Susan Melton, marketing director. “So, it’s a very interactive experience and can be very powerful. You feel totally immersed in the beauty of the lights.” Open Dec. 15-23 and 26-30, from 4 to 8 p.m., this year’s light show promises to dazzle. Last year, the light show attracted more than 27,000 visitors, making it one of Rotary Gardens’ largest fundraisers for the year. Tickets to see the light show cost $5 and can be purchased online or in person. Admission is free for children age 2 and younger. For additional details, and to check weather-related show cancellations, visit rotarybotanicalgardens.org. ❚

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Y H

Health Advice All Women Need to Hear W ith all the caregiving women do for others, they often need a reminder to pay attention to their own health. Aside from skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among U.S. women. Each year, about 40,800 women died from it. Early detection greatly raises the odds of surviving cancer, which is why doctors urge women to have regular checkups and mammogram screenings, and to do breast self-checks. While most women have some risk factors, most don’t get breast cancer. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, some risk factors are: • Getting older. Most breast cancers are diagnosed after age 50. • Genetic mutations. Inherited changes (mutations) to certain genes, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2. • Early age at onset of menstrual period. • Late age at or no pregnancy. Having the first pregnancy after age 30 and never

having a full-term pregnancy can raise breast cancer risk. • Starting menopause after age 55. • Not being physically active. • Being overweight or obese after menopause. • Drinking alcohol. • Having dense breasts. • Taking hormones to replace missing estrogen and progesterone in menopause for more than five years. • Taking certain birth control pills. • Personal history of breast cancer. • Personal history of certain non-cancerous breast diseases. • Family history of breast cancer, meaning a first-degree female or male relative. • Radiation therapy before age 30. • Women who took the drug diethylstilbestrol (DES), between 1940 and 1971, to prevent miscarriage, and women whose mothers took DES while pregnant with them.

Guidelines and recommendations vary, with regard to when women should begin having mammograms and how often they should be repeated. Women should talk to their doctors about this. Keep in mind that abnormal mammogram results don’t always mean cancer; they simply mean that further testing is required. Mammograms don’t take long and are covered by most insurance programs. Schedule yours at your hospital of choice. ❚

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Dec 14

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 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.

Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Tourism

Attractions & Events

All Aglow Holiday Display Through Jan. 8, Tues.-Fri. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat. & Sun. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Marvel at sparkling lights and beautiful ﬂ1.800.521.0849 oral displaysgorockford.com inside a warm tropiRockford, IL 61101 cal conservatory. Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, 1354 N. 2nd St., Rockford, (815) 987-8863, nicholasconservatory.com. 9/10/07 2:07:37 PM

Holiday Festival of Lights Through Dec. 25, Fri.-Sun. 5 p.m.-10 p.m. See more than 50 holiday-themed lighted displays. Sinnissippi Park, 1401 N. 2nd St., Rockford, rockfordﬁreandice.com. A Christmas Celebration with the Music Academy in Rockford Dec. 14-16, Wednes. & Fri., 5 p.m. cocktail social, 5:45 p.m. dinner seating. The traditional Candlelight Christmas dinner features musical performances by The Music Academy in Rockford. Dinner is a specially prepared menu from Chef Robert of Fresco in the Garden. Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Road, (815) 316-3306, andersongardens.org. AE: Tally’s Folly Dec. 15-18, Th. 7:30 p.m., Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 4 p.m. & 8 p.m., Sun 2 p.m. It’s 1944 and Matt Friedman, a middle-aged accountant from St. Louis, is nervous but determined to woo and win Miss Sally Talley, the shy, spinster daughter of her family. Artists’ Ensemble Theater, Rockford University, Clark Arts Center, 5050 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 394-5004, artistsensemble.org. Greg Herriges Dec. 16, 7 p.m. Greg Herriges performs world winter/holiday music at JustGood’s Friday Night Music Series. JustGoods Fair Trade Marketplace, 201 7th St., Rockford, (815) 965-8903, justgoods. info. Spectacular Saturdays: Rockford’s Own Dec. 17, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. In the ﬁnal Spectacular Saturday of the year, parents can help their children create unique projects and learn about the cultures in the Rockford community. Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford, (815) 397-9112, midwayvillage.com. 12 Bars of Christmas Pub Crawl Dec. 17, 3-9 p.m. Kick off the pub crawl with a DJ, food, beverages and prizes. Then, proceed to

Rockford Symphony Orchestra delivers a holiday musical celebration on Dec. 17 & 18.

12 of Rockford's most popular bars with food and drink specials, holiday music and giveaways. Start at BMO Harris Bank Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford, (815) 963-8111, gorockford.com. Pig Minds Comedy Night Dec. 17, 8 p.m. A long line of storytellers guide you through a showcase until headliner Zach Peterson creates a thoughtful and different comedy style with uncommon takes on common subjects. Pig Minds Brewing Company, 4080 Steele Dr., Machesney Park, facebook.com/ events/1253965907999204/. RSO: Holiday Pops Concert Dec. 17-18, Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m. Start off the holiday season with Rockford’s largest holiday musical celebration featuring traditional and sacred music performed by the RSO and the Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center’s Mendelssohn Choral. Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 968-0595, coronadopac.org. Christmas from Slavery to Kwanzaa Dec. 18, 2-4 p.m. See a decorated AfricanAmerican Christmas tree and learn about the history of Kwanzaa. Enjoy enthnic music and fine entertainment. Ethnic Heritage Museum, 1129 S. Main St., Rockford, (815) 962-7402, ethnicheritagemuseum.org. Holiday Organ Concert Dec. 19, 5:30 p.m. Celebrate the holidays with a concert on the grand pipe organ, featuring talented local performers. Feel free to sing along and enjoy a reception following the performance. Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center, 406 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 964-9713, mendelssohnpac.org. ❚

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Smart Living Weekly

Dec. 14

WDL

Restaurant of the Week

‘Something Different’ At GreenFire Restaurant By Peggy Werner

f you’re looking for a unique dining experience, look no further than GreenFire Restaurant, Bar and Bakery, 6795 E. Riverside Blvd. Shendet Ismajlaj, owner for the past year, has a long history of working in Rockford area restaurants and is now carrying on the dream of late owner and founder Philippe Forcioli, who owned Café Patou and then opened GreenFire. “I worked with Philippe for several years and never met anyone who could cook like him,” says Ismajlaj. GreenFire is an American-contemporary farm restaurant, bar and bakery that uses only natural, fresh and seasonal ingredients, with everything cooked in stateof-the-art wood stone ovens. “We offer something for everyone,

but we cater to the individual who wants to try something different,” says Ismajlaj. “People tell us there is nothing like it anywhere. We are known for our customer service, quality of food and unique ﬂavor combinations.” For breakfast, unique choices include tequila French toast, caramel apple pecan French toast, avocado eggs Benedict, wild berries crepes, and apple cider pancakes. Appetizers include treats such as gorgonzola stuffed dates wrapped in applewood smoked duck bacon, with blackberry gastrique. For lunch and dinner, there’s a wide selection of salads, meat entrees, seafood dishes, burgers, pasta, wood ﬁre pizza and those delicious crepes made famous by Café Patou.

Shendet Ismajlaj, owner of GreenFire

On any given week, at least a dozen kinds of dessert are featured, the most popular one being a ﬂourless, dense chocolate torte.There are regular and featured daily specials, as well as dinner pizzas for $10 after 10 p.m. every day. Learn more by calling GreenFire at (815) 316-3473. ❚ ❚

Top Picks for Local Restaurants

GreenFire EUpscale-Casual/American contemporary. Seasonal cuisine; local-sourced ingredients; gourmet market; 9 East Coffee E Casual/Coffeehouse. Specialty coffees, pas- live entertainment. 6795 E. Riverside Blvd., Rockford, (815) tries, breakfast, lunch. 9 E. Stephenson St., Freeport, (815) 316-3473. BkLD M-F 11am; Sat-Sun 8 am. Bar open late. $$. 233-7300, BkL M-F 7am-3pm, Sat 7am-2pm. $ JMK Nippon Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar E UpscaleArturo’s Mexican Restaurant E Casual/Authentic Mexican. Casual. Food cooked tableside. 2551 N. Perryville, Rockford, 107 W. Main St., Poplar Grove, Ill., (815) 765-1144. LD M 11am- (815) 877-0505. L T-F 11:30am-2pm, Sat to 2:30pm; D M-Th 8pm; T-Th to 9pm; F to 10pm; Sun noon-8pm. $. 5-9:30pm, F-Sat to 10:30pm, Sun 4:30-9:30pm. $$. Bravo Pizza E Italian/American. 376 Prairie Hill Road, South Be- Local Dough Cafe E Restaurant/cafe. Baked goods, breakloit, Ill., (815) 624-7900. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat 11pm. $. fast, lunch, dinner, beer, wine. 202 W. Main St., Rockton, Cannova’s Italian Cuisine E Casual. 1101 W. Empire St., Free- (815) 957-0584. BkLD W-Sun 7 am-6 pm. $. port, (815) 233-0032. D T-Th, Sun 5-9pm; F-Sat 10pm. $-$$. Main Street Meat Co E Deli/bakery. Quality meats, seafood, Costa’s Ristorante E Upscale-Casual/Italian. 133 Blackhawk café/bakery with catering services. 9515 N. 2nd St., Roscoe, (815) 623-6328. BkLD M-F 8 am-6:30 pm; Sat. 8 am-6 pm; Dr., Byron, Ill., (815) 234-4707. LD Daily 4pm. $-$$. Sun. 9 am-5 pm. $. Franchesco’s Ristorante E Upscale/Italian-American. Sommelier, live entertainment. 7128 Spring Creek Road, Rock- Mamma Mia’s E Casual/American. Pizza, pasta, sandwiches, wraps. 1139 N. Alpine Road, Rockford, (815) 399-6262. ford, (815) 229-0800. LD Sun-Th 4-9pm, F-Sat to 10pm. $$ LD M-Th 4-9pm, F 11am-10pm, Sat 4-10pm, Sun to 9pm. $$ Fresco at the Gardens. E Casual/American Café. Fresh, localsourced ingredients. 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, (815) Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint E Fine Dining. Ironworks Hotel, 500 Pleasant St., Beloit, (608) 313-0700. D Sun-Th 316-2256 BkL Daily 7am-3pm. $$ 4:30-9pm, Fri-Sat to 10pm. $$. Giordano’s E Casual/Italian. Stuffed pizza, salads, entrees, sandwiches, desserts. 33 Executive Parkwy., Rockford, (815) Prairie Street Brewhouse E Upscale-Casual/American. 200 Prairie St., Rockford, (815) 277-9427. LD Sun-W 11am-10pm, 398-5700. LD Sun-Th 11 am-10 pm, F-Sat to 11 pm. Th to midnight, F-Sat to 2am. $-$$. Giovanni’s/Big Al’s Bar/Alchemy E Upscale-casual/American. Three dining rooms. 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford. Thrive Café E Casual/Cafe. Salads, wraps, sandwiches, (815) 398-6411. LD M-Th 11a.m.-10 pm, F to 11 pm, Sat 3-11 smoothies, cold-pressed juices. Inside Peak Fitness, 4401 Peak Drive, Loves Park, Ill. BkLD M-F 6am-8pm, Sat 8am-2pm. ❚ pm. Live entertainment, open late. $-$$. 28

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Dec 14 To advertise call 815-316-2300

In the Spotlight Bravo Pizza

ith more than 40 years in the restaurant business, Joe Ocello knows how to create an authentic dining experience. Since opening the first Bravo Pizza & Italian Restaurant location in 2001 with wife Francesca, the couple has been refining its classic Italian fare. Most items are made from scratch, ensuring a home-made meal with fresh ingredients. The Italian beef, served au jus or with tomato meat sauce, was named Best in the Stateline by MyStateline.com in 2013. Top sellers include Italian meatball sandwiches, fettucine Alfredo and fish specials. “We make it all ourselves. Each meatball is about a quarter pound apiece, so they’re huge,” says Ocello. Bravo has locations in South Beloit and Poplar Grove. Both offer a full-service bar, catering, carry-out and delivery services. Learn more at Bravopizzarestaurant.com. ❚

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Pricing Selling The Most Powerful Tool For Buying Your Next Home The Gambino Realtors Mobile App! Access to the most comprehensive and accurate real estate listings is now at your fingertips. Download it today from the App Store! Type in Gambino Realtors and download.

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