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Save Smarter • Live Better • Rockford Region/Beloit 95¢ • Aug 13, 2014

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Right in Our Region

Explore ‘Nature Play’ at The Grove By Karla Nagy, associate editor

everson Dells Nature Center has added another great feature to its bountiful nature education resources, with the grand opening of its new outdoor classroom, The Grove, on Aug. 9. Tucked away among walnut, hickory and oak trees and encompassing nearly four of the 396 acres at Rockford’s Severson Dells Forest Preserve, the space includes various play areas,

called pods, that allow children to explore nature in many different ways, in a controlled, safe environment. “The Grove is designed to encourage children to engage in open play with natural things, such as fallen logs, tree bark, stumps and rocks,” explains Don Miller, director of nature education & research at Severson Dells. Continued on p. 20

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Treating Sports Injuries • Update Your Fireplace • 5 Days to a Healthier You WomanSpace’s Passport to Art • Card Offers More Secure Shopping • Olive Oil Quality

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In This Issue Right in Our Region: .....................Cover & p. 20 Severson Dells’ New Outdoor Attraction Your Home ........................................................11 Give Your Fireplace a Facelift Inspiration & Worship .....................................12 A Promise of Peace Your Kitchen .................................................... 15 Not All Olive Oils Are Created Equal Your Outings ....................................................17 Womanspace “Artscursion” to Gauguin’s Tahiti Your Health ...................................................... 25 PRICE is Right for Treating Sports Injuries Your Fun .......................................................... 27 Dining Locally ................................................. 29 Tips ................................................................... 31 5 Days to a Fitter, Healthier You Your Money ...................................................... 33 New Card Chip Means More Secure Shopping

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 Writer Peggy Werner General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes General Manager/Northwest Business Magazine Dave Marino Account Executives Steve Blachford, 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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See You Outside A

week of holding my breath is over. Four close family members, including my daughter, have returned safely from Hawaii, despite hurricanes Iselle and Julio. Iselle was the first major hurricane to make landfall there since killer Iniki, in 1992, and my baby was in the middle of it. The whole episode was a reminder that I’ll never stop worrying about my children and that some things are just beyond our control – like Mother Nature. Our cover story this week is all about the relationship (and lack of it) between people and nature. When settlers first arrived in this region, some viewed our pristine prairies and woods as something to be reverenced and carefully stewarded. Others, fearing praire wildfires and seeing dollar signs, saw nature as something to be conquered. Perhaps the one thing no one felt toward nature, back then, was indifference. Things are different, today, as we move about in our temperature-controlled homes, cars and offices. We city dwellers are so far removed from nature that we don’t think much about it until something unusual happens – a storm or drought, perhaps. Only in the very recent past has mankind become disconnected from basic elements like soil, rocks, trees, streams, bugs, grasses and breezes (the kind without temperature and humidity controls.) If you grew up romping through woods, or even making mud pies in your backyard, you know the value of hands-to-dirt contact with nature. As a kid, I was big on earth worms. After every rain shower, I’d scour the driveway looking for injured worms and rush them (by tricycle) to my Worm ER. I have no idea why I did that, but it was fun and kept me out of trouble. And I learned about earth worms. Nature speaks to us in different ways, but it can’t do that if we never go outdoors. To that end, we know you’ll enjoy our cover story about the latest effort to reconnect children with nature in a safe, fun space. Enjoy the great weather this summer and we’ll see you outside! Aloha! Janine Pumilia Executive Editor

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Reface That Old Fireplace For a New Look

our fireplace is a warm and inviting focal point in the living room, and it’s likely to be one of the first places that guests look. What’s inside the fireplace isn’t the only factor to consider when sprucing up your living room. What’s on the outside of your fireplace matters, too. In fact, it’s one of the first areas that can cause your home to look outdated. “Some of the old fireplaces have this sort of rubble look to them, where stones are just every shape and stuck on the wall every which way,” says Andy Benson,

president of Benson Stone Co., 1100 11th St., Rockford. “They’re are very datedlooking, at this point, and now we see more of the rectangular shapes being used.” Today’s look is all about thin and linear, whether it’s stone or tile. On the contemporary side, thin white tiles are often paired up with electric fireplaces. For a more transitional look, however, a gas log or gas direct-vented fireplace pairs up well with linear stone or brick. Benson sells several varieties of the new “thin stone” and “thin brick,” thinner versions of their traditional counterparts. Stones are cut to just an inch or two thick, and bricks are formed to a smaller size. “There are many different styles of thin stone, but thin brick is pretty much that – thin brick,” says Benson. “It’s actually real brick, but no one will realize that it’s not full-sized. You can just stick it right to the wall.” If you plan to update the fireplace unit and/or the facing, it may also be an

(Astria Fireplace photos)

By Chris Linden, managing editor

appropriate time to update the doors, which also betray a room’s aged appearance. “There are fireplaces that have ugly polished brass doors on them, and they’re very dated looking right now,” says Benson. “We have a lot of doors that are wrought-iron and you can just replace the door units as well.” ❚

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

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A Promise of Peace

n the Old Testament book of Isaiah, written more than 700 years before the birth of Jesus Christ, Isaiah prophesied the coming of the Prince of Peace, (Isaiah 9:6). In Galatians 5:22, we see “peace” listed among the fruit of the spirit that Christians reap when they follow the ways of God. The word is translated into English from the Greek word eirene, (“pax” in Latin), which appears more than 90 times in the New Testament. (The name Irene comes from eirene.) Throughout the Gospels, Jesus cautions that this world will never be a place of peace. “Don’t suppose that I’ve come to bring peace on the earth,” he says in Matthew 10:34. In fact, the very act of following him will stir turmoil, not peace, he warns. (Luke 12:51) So if this earth isn’t a peaceful place, why is peace promised to us? Because God’s peace, in this world, is internal, not external. Jesus knew what the Old Testament proclaimed about peace: “You [God] will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You,” (Isaiah 26:3 NLT). Jesus also knew that the very act of pursuing peace brings us joy. “Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy.” (Proverbs 12:20) Jesus promised that God would send the gift of holy spirit, a “comforter,” to live inside each believer. This supernatural kind of peace only comes from God. “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus,” Paul wrote in Philippians 4:7. Shortly before the dark moment of his betrayal and execution, Jesus told his disciples: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I don’t give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your hearts be troubled and don’t be afraid.” (John 14:1). “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). ❚ – Janine Pumilia To get SLW Inspiration & Worship articles every week, visit NWQSmartLiving. com and start your e-Edition today. 12

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Not All Olive Oils Are Created Equal By Peggy Werner

ometimes, a new experience can unexpectedly open up a whole new world for someone. In this case, it was the taste of peach balsamic vinegar at his mom’s house that put the wheels in motion for Charles Ducharme to open up The Olive Oil Experience & Spice Galleria, 6340 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park. “I’d always been a foodie, a cook, and always dreamed of opening a restaurant,” he says. After doing a bit of research and finding a distributor, he decided to introduce the Rockford area to something unique – the world of olive oils and vinegars. “Olive oil is not all created equally,” Ducharme says. “Most people don’t realize how delicate it is and that it has a short shelf life.” Olives have just two growing seasons. In the Southern Hemisphere, the season goes into late spring, and in the Northern Hemisphere, the growing season ends in late winter. The best olive oils will have a harvest date on the bottle, to help the consumer identify freshness. Virgin and extra virgin refer to olive oil that’s obtained from the olives without using any heat or chemicals; it’s pressed mechanically at room temperature. Using heat will make the olives yield more oil, but some flavor and nutrition are lost. True virgin and extra virgin oil isn’t strained to remove bits of fruit, but instead is allowed to settle for a couple of months – again, to help to retain flavor and nutritional value. Because the making of olive oil is not well regulated, what’s labeled as extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) in many stores will often contain other oils and additives to give it a longer shelf life. If a bottle is labeled with descriptive words such as pure or light, it means other oils are added and the product is a blend, not pure olive oil. “People don’t realize how much corruption and adulteration goes into the making of olive oil, especially in Europe and the U.S.,” Duscharme says. Olive oil bars in restaurants and specialty olive oil stores are popping up all over the country, in an effort to educate people about the differences between pure,

Cajun Grilled Sweet Potatoes Ingredients

1 or 2 large sweet potatoes, cut into ½ inch slices 2 tbsp The Olive Oil Experience 100-percent Robust Intensity Olive Oil 1 tbsp Spice Galleria Cajun Seasoning

Directions

Cover the sweet potato slices with the olive oil and sprinkle the Cajun Seasoning over the slices. Heat grill to low heat. Place potato slices on the preheated grill rack until bubbly on the bottom. Carefully flip and do the same with the other side. May use vegetable basket on the grill or bake in 350˚ oven for 30-35 minutes. Flip potatoes halfway through the cooking time to ensure they cook evenly. Great side dish for fish or chicken. Serves 4

good quality oils and other products that are readily available. “We offer the freshest, best and 100 percent olive oil from around the world, because it tastes better and contains beneficial antioxidants that are important to health,” Duscharme says. “We give our customers samples. Once they taste true, quality olive oil, they understand why we opened our store.”

For more information on types of olive oils, health benefits and recipes from The Olive Oil Experience, stop in at the store or visit online at theoliveoilexperience.com. ❚ Get SLW Kitchen articles every week. Visit NWQSmartLiving.com and start your e-Edition today.

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Experience Downtown Rockford

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Take A ‘ rtscursion’ to Tahiti at Womanspace 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

n Aug. 16, visitors expecting to visit the beautiful gardens or labyrinth at Womanspace will instead find themselves stepping into an island paradise. From 5-8:30 p.m., during Passport to the Arts, they will be transformed into Paul Gauguin’s Tahiti, complete with swaying palm trees, sandy beaches, music, dancing and tiki huts. Even Gauguin himself may make an appearance. “Artscursion: Passport to Gauguin’s Tahiti” will feature Tahitian-inspired food, including a roasted pig, along with the signature Tahiti Switi cocktail and other beverages. Also, Gauguin-inspired art, available through silent auction, will be on display, and five art original pieces, donated by regional artists Cherie Heck, Susan Lee, Dee Santorini, John Verl McNamara and Katharine Spahn, will be raffled off. The event is a fundraiser to support the many art, music, health and personal growth programs offered by Womanspace. “It’s a reinvention of our previous fundraiser, Outreach for the Arts,” says Liz Kulevich, marketing coordinator. “It’s our 40th anniversary this year, and we wanted something new and exciting, and ‘Passport to the Arts’ provides many possibilities to feature a different artist and locale each year. Next year will be Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec’s Paris, and the following year, Louise Nevelson’s New York.”

The Anjali Pavilion at Womanspace will showcase the more than 30 donated art pieces that are up for raffle or silent auction. Many of the artists will be on hand to discuss their paintings, sculptures and drawings. Artscursion travelers may also explore the 7-acre campus, which features a labyrinth, pine forest and gardens. “The event will help to familiarize folks with Womanspace,” Kulevich says. “The essence of our mission is support, acceptance and collaboration. Artscursion is a true reflection of that cooperative com- Dee Santorini piece for raffle munity, and the perfect opportunity for those unfamiliar with Womanspace to get acquainted.” Hawaiian shirts, muumuus and grass skirts are encouraged. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased by phone, (815) 877-0118, online at womanspace-rockford.org, or in person at Womanspace, 3333 Maria Linden Dr., Rockford. Raffle tickets: $10 each/eight for $50; purchased by phone, in person or at the event. ❚

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Nature Play at The Grove Continued from Cover

Visitors enter through a ceremonial log gate and follow a handicap-accessible path that leads to each of the pods. “We have an art pod, a music pod, a building block pod, and a stage area, with a beautiful wood pergola and an image of a lizard embedded in the stage is that points to true north,” says Miller. “In front of the stage is a turfed area that we’re calling ‘the gathering place,’ where parents can rest, read or socialize while their kids play. It affords a clear view of every other pod.” On the west end are three pods that will undoubtedly attract a lot of attention. At the “tree house,” built around the base of a tree, kids can use colorful canvas and blankets to build their own ceiling and walls. “There’s a wonderful woodland hut for kids to play in and around, and then the ‘messy materials’ pod, where we have some fallen trees, sticks and huge chunks of tree bark,” Miller explains. “We did a sort of ‘test market,’ with kids from some of our summer camps, and they played here without interruption for about 45 minutes, climbing, moving sticks around and using the bark

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Aug. 13

to build forts. Watching them made me feel terrific, because that’s exactly what those things are intended for.” The Grove is designed most specifically for ages 4-10, but there’s something for every age. “Adults and kids can play together, of course,” Miller says. “But it’s important to give the kids some unstructured and uninhibited play. It’s a self-guided activity, supervised by the adults who bring the kids out, except when Severson Dells staff members are there for special programming or school visits.” The concept comes from “Nature Explore,” a collaborative, research-based program of the Arbor Day Foundation and Dimensions Educational Research Foundation to support efforts to connect children and parents with nature. “One of our volunteer members is very involved with the Arbor Day Foundation, and she brought Nature Explore to our attention,” Miller says. “We saw the concept as a missing piece in our programs. It made us consider our mission from a different perspective. “People who have never been exposed to the outdoors may hesitate to engage in our programs that take place in the field. It’s a fear of the unknown, and children model adult behavior, so we end up with generations who miss out on the experience of being in nature. The Grove is meant to be a bridge, to pull people out of their houses into a more controlled natural environment, and we hope that it will encourage them to expand their exploration.” The Grove is also available to schools, and Miller encourages pre-K and preschool teachers to bring their students. “We’re developing curriculum to fit into the learning standards, but structure isn’t necessary,” he says. “Research shows that open-ended play in nature

R  O R supports whole-child development and learning across the curriculum.” According to the Nature Explore website, regular time spent in nature also facilitates better social and physical development; improves fitness, motor-skills, and well-being; supports creativity and imaginative play; inspires collaboration; reduces stress, violence and bullying; and helps with problem-solving, science, visual-spatial learning and more. “Most importantly, it creates feelings of empathy for nature, which is the first step toward developing the next generation of environmental stewards,” says Miller. From attending educational and design seminars sponsored by Nature Explore, studying other outdoor classrooms and working through many designs to construction, the project has taken more than a year-and-a-half to come to fruition. Support from the Winnebago County Forest Preserve District (WCFPD) and eight major donors were key to its completion, along with the effort of many individuals. “Our two designers, Drew Helge and Dave Stocker, are artists, and their whimsy and artists’ perception have made this space amazing,” Miller says. “Quirky things, like the lizard in the stage floor, and the pergola designed like Artemis’s bow, just add to the fascination.” Plans for utilizing The Grove are still developing. “We’re planning structured activities at the music pod, such a drumming circles, and numerous art projects in the art pod, for kids and families as well as adults,” says Miller. “We’ll use the stage for grown-up music, too. Our first concert is fiddle festival, on Sunday, Sept. 14, starting

at 12:30. We hope to generate some income with concerts throughout the school year, but we’re asking for a goodwill donation for the fiddle festival.” Miller and WCFPD officials hope that The Grove will attract regional visitors and tourists. “Children need to drop their electrical gadgets, turn off the TV and get outside to experience the wonder and awe of nature,” Miller says. “The Grove is a unique destination. Once the kids are outside, we’ll get them and their families involved in owl walks, pond studies and programs we offer that help us to fulfill our mission to connect people to nature.” The Grove is inside the Severson Dells Forest Preserve, 8786 Montague Road, Rockford, and is open from sunrise to sunset. Severson Dells Nature Center hours are Mon.-Sat., 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and Sun. 1-4:30 p.m. For more information on The Grove, Severson Dells Nature Center and its programs, visit seversondells.com. ❚

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The PRICE for Treating Sports Injuries By Craig Schmidt

xercise is great for healthy living. There’s no shortage of benefits to hitting the gym or taking a daily walk. But intense exercise, by its very nature, carries risks. So do competitive sports. People who abandon moderation sometimes injure themselves. Most exercise-related injuries, from overuse of joints, accidental falls or improper technique, are mild. The majority will respond to treatment at home, using the PRICE method, often supplemented by anti-inflammatory medications or pain relievers. Strains and sprains are the most common sports injuries. A strain, also known as a pulled muscle, is an injury to a muscle or tendon. Sprains are injuries to ligaments. These tough bands connecting bones in a joint can be stretched or torn. Tendinitis is another common problem. Inflammation of a tendon often results from overuse or poor body mechanics. The PRICE method to treat common sports injuries will get you back in the game sooner. PRICE stands for protection, rest, ice, compression and elevation. • Protect yourself from further damage is the first step. Stop the activity and look for the cause of injury. Apply bandages, elastic wraps or simple splints to injuries. • Rest means giving injured tissue time to heal. So lay off tennis or golf while your elbow recovers from tendinitis.

•

Ice intermittently during the 24 to 48 hours after a sports injury, to help to manage pain and inflammation. Compression with an elastic bandage or wrap minimizes swelling. Elevation of an injured leg or arm drains fluid away from injured tissue and reduces swelling, inflammation and pain.

• •

Consult your physician when an injury produces significant swelling; doesn’t heal in three weeks; causes persistent numbness or pain that radiates to another area; hurts for more than two weeks in a joint or bone; or if you can’t move the injured part. ❚ Source: Medical Pain Management Services, Ltd.

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

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93rd Winnebago County Fair Aug. 12-17, daily. Carnival, midway, 4-H judging/ exhibits, semi-tractor pull, pro rodeo. Winnebago County Fairgrounds, 500 W. 1st St, Pecatonica, Ill., winnebagocountyfair.com. Moonlight Jazz Orchestra Aug. 14, 7 p.m. Sounds of Summer Concert Series. Free. Sinnissippi Park Band Shell, 1401 N. 2nd St., Rockford, rockfordparkdistrict.org. Friday in the Park: Harlan Jefferson Jazz Trio Aug. 15, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $6 lunch from local restaurant. National Bank Plaza, State & Grand, Beloit, Wis., downtownbeloit.com. Friday Night Flix The Lego Movie Aug. 15, 7 p.m. (dusk). . Free. Davis Park, 320 S. Wyman St., Rockford, (815) 489-8207. Music & More: Streetlife Aug. 15, 7 p.m. A unique blend of R&B, smooth jazz and contemporary styles. Free. Harry C. Moore Pavilion at Riverside Park, 1160 Riverside Dr., Beloit, friendsofriverfront.com. A Car’s Day Out: Pedal to the Metal Aug. 16, 8 a.m. Proceeds benefit Crusader Community Health. Family cruise event open to any car, truck, motorcycle. DJ, 50/50 drawings, raffles, more. Rockford Speedway, 9500 Forest Hills Road, Loves Park, crusaderhealth.org. Pillars of Honor Exhibit & Program Aug. 16, 1-5 p.m. Unveiling of the original scale model of the WWII Memorial honoring veterans and their families. Veterans Memorial Hall, 211 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 969-1999, veteransmemorialhall.com. 44th Annual Rockton Art in the Park Aug. 17, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Arts & crafts show featuring 50 exhibitors displaying and selling their products, 50/50 raffle, homemade pie competition, more. Proceeds benefit the Hononegah Woman’s Club. Rockton Village Park, Blackhawk Blvd. and Union St., Rockton, (815) 871-4172. Bubble Show Aug. 16, 2-3 p.m. Comedy, music and interactive bubble-magic show. Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 965-7606, option 2, rockfordpubliclibrary.org. The Local: Burpee Summer Festival Aug. 16, 7-11 p.m. Sample unique pairings from

Gracia Harrison, from Season 3 of NBC’s “The Voice,” performs Aug. 16 at 7 p.m. at the Winnebago County Fair in Pecatonica.

area breweries/wineries & area restaurants; silent auction; wine pull. $55/10 for $500. Burpee Museum of Natural History, 737 N. Main St., Rockford, burpee.org. 33rd Annual Polish Fest 2014 Aug. 17, 11 a.m.-dusk. Traditional Polish dinner & specialty foods; music & dancing; cultural exhibit; more. St. Stanislaus Parish grounds, 201 Buckbee St., Rockford, (815) 965-3913. Woodsong: Big Daddy Woo Woo Aug. 17, open 4 p.m., concert 6 p.m. Rockford area party band covering hits from four decades. $10/$5 members. Klehm Arboretum, 2715 S. Main St., Rockford, (815) 965-8146, klehm.org. Tuesday Evening in the Gardens: Jodi Beach Trio Aug. 19, 6:30 p.m. Tickets $5/$3 teens. Food, beer & wine, beverages for sale. Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, andersongardens.org. Beauty of Kimono Aug. 21, 7 p.m. Kimiko Gunji on the traditional kimono and its history and demonstrate kimono dressing. $5/members free. Anderson Japanese Gardens, Rockford, andersongardens.org. Amboy Depot Days Aug. 21-24, events daily. Carnival, beer garden, food, crafts, garage sales, live entertainment, more. Thurs. Family Fun Night, 5-10 p.m. 5K, petting zoo, craft show, Depot Days Parade; Sun. pancake breakfast, car, truck & motorcycle show. Downtown Amboy, Ill., depotdays.com. ❚

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Smart Dining Weekly Our Top Picks for Terrific Local Restaurants Legend: D Dinner, L Lunch, Br Brunch, Bk Breakfast, $ under $12.50, $$ $12.50-$25, $$$ $25+ 9 East Coffee  Specialty coffees, pastries, breakfast & lunch items. 9 E. Stephenson St., Freeport. (815) 233-7300. $ abreo  Upscale-Casual. Tapas menu. 515 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 968-9463. D M-Th 5-10pm, F-Sat to midnight. $-$$. Amici Italian Grill  Upscale-Casual/Italian. Fresh, authentic Italian cuisine. 5506 Clayton Circle, Roscoe, (815) 6237171. LD Sun-Th 11am-9pm, F-Sat 11am-10-pm. $-$$. Bravo Pizza  Italian/American favorites, full bar. 376 Prairie Hill Road, South Beloit, Ill. (815) 624-7900. LD M-Th 11am10pm, F-Sat 11am-11pm, Sun11am-10pm. $. Butterfly Club  Upscale-Casual/Fine Dining. 5246 E. Co. Road X, Beloit, Wis. (608) 362-8577. LD T-Th 5-9:30pm, F 4:30-10pm, Sat 5-10pm, Sun noon-8pm. Live bands. $$. Cafe Fromage  Artisan sandwiches, soups, cheese plates, baked goods. 431 E. Grand, Beloit, Wis. (608) 207-3094. $ Cannova’s Pizzeria & Fine Italian Cuisine  Casual. Pizza, pasta, steak, seafood. 1101 W. Empire St., Freeport, (815) 233-0032. D T-Th, Sun 5-9pm; F-Sat 10pm. $-$$. Ciao Bella Ristorante  Upscale-Casual/Italian-American. Extensive wine list; daily specials. 6500 E. Riverside, Loves Park, (815) 654-9900. LD M-F 11am-9pm, Sat 5-9pm. $$. Costa’s Italian Ristorante  Upscale-Casual. 133 Blackhawk Dr., Byron, Ill., (815) 234-4707. Open daily. D Sun-Th 4-10pm, F-Sat to midnight. $-$$. Dos Reales  Casual/Authentic Mexican. 5855 E. State St., Rockford. LD M-Th, Sun 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 10:30pm$. Franchesco’s Ristorante  Upscale/Italian-American. Sommelier, live entertainment, weddings, Sinatra Lounge, Benny’s Bar. 7128 Spring Creek Rd, Rockford, (815) 229-0800. LD M-Th 11am-10pm, F to 11pm, Sat-Sun 4pm. $$. Giordano’s  Casual/Italian. Pasta, deep-dish pizza, specialties. 333 Executive Pkwy., Rockford, (815) 398-5700, LD 11 a.m.-midnight $. JMK Nippon Restaurant  Upscale-Casual/Japanese. 2551 N. Perryville, Rockford, (815) 877-0505. L T-F 11:30am2pm, Sat to 2:30pm; D M-Th 5-9:30pm, F-Sat to 10:30pm, Sun 4:30-9:30pm. $$. Joey C’ Cucina & Cocktails  Upscale-Casual/Italian. 2583 N. Mulford, Rockford, (815) 639-1200. LD M-T 4-10pm, W-Th 11am-9pm, F to 10pm, Sat-Sun 4-10pm $.

™

Leombruni’s Italian Village Pizza & Restaurant  Casual. 110 W. 2nd St., Byron, Ill., (815) 234-2696. D T-Th 5-9pm, F-Sat to 11pm, Sun to 10pm. $. Lucha Cantina  Casual/Mexican. Fresh ingredients, no MSG, steaks, mac ‘n cheese, burgers. 1641 N. Alpine, Rockford, (815) 977-4319. LD M-Th 11am-midnight, F-Sat 2am. $. Main Street Bistro  Fine dining, full bar, live music Th&Sat. 109 S. Galena Ave., Freeport, (815) 232-2322. M-Sat 2pmmidnight. $$ Maciano’s Pizza & Pastaria  Casual. Italian favorites, beer & wine. 6746 Broadcast Pkwy., Loves Park, Ill., (815) 963-7869. LD Sun-Th 11am-midnight, F-Sat to 11pm. $$. Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint  Fine Dining. Ironworks Hotel, 500 Pleasant St., Beloit, Wis. (608) 313-0700 Sun.-Th 4:30-9pm, Fri-Sat. to 10pm. $$. Mulligans  Casual/American. 2212 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 963-7869. LD M-Sat 11am-2am, Sun to midnight. $ Napoli Pizzeria III & Top Dollar Slots  Pizza, pasta, sandwiches, appetizers, dinners, desserts. Takeout/delivery. 6560 N. Alpine, Loves Park, (815) 877-9888. Sun-Th11am10:30pm, F-Sat to 11:30pm. $-$$. Olympic Tavern  Casual/American. 2327 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 962-8758. LD M-Sat 11am-2am. $-$$. Prairie Grass Pub  Burgers, wraps, pork chops, steaks, pasta, daily fish fry. Craft beer, wine, signature cocktails. Deck, banquets. Prairie View Golf Course, 6734 German Church Rd, Byron, Ill. (815) 234--8535. LD daily 10am. $-$$. Prairie Street Brewhouse  Upscale-Casual/American. Riverside dining, handcrafted beers, banquet rooms, marina. 200 Prairie St., Rockford, (815) 277-9427. LD Sun-W 11am10pm, Th to midnight, F-Sat to 2am. $-$$. Tavern on Clark  Casual/American. Tavern-style fare, big burgers, steaks, fries, flatbreads. Full bar; banquets. 755 Clark Ave., Rockford, (815) 708-7088. LD daily 10am. $-$$. This Is It Eatery  Ribs, burgers, pasta, salads. 16 N. Chicago Ave., Freeport, (815) 616-5449. LD T-Th 11am-8pm, F-Sat to 10pm. $ Vito’s Ristorante  Casual/Italian. Authentic fare from family recipes. Sauces, soups, mama’s meatballs, desserts fresh daily. 1620 N. Bell School Rd., Rockford, (815) 312-5080. LD T-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11pm. $$. ❚

Visit online to see our Expanded Dining Guide at NorthwestQuarterly.com/Dining.

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5-Day Fitness Plan Y

ou can create a life-changing fitness program by charting out a week-long plan to focus on elements like muscle tone, cardio and nutrition. Here’s a five-day schedule to get you started.

Monday: Start Strong: Kick off the week by working out with a medicine ball, a great way to work various muscles all at once. Use it with familiar exercises such as push-ups, lunges or squats, or find demo videos online for other ways to use the medicine ball. Tuesday: Turn it Up: Running is great exercise, but it’s important to mix up your cardio workouts to help to prevent injury and become stronger overall. Grab your friends and try a cardio-focused class, such as Zumba. Wednesday: Spruce Up Your Fruit: Make smart snack choices that taste delicious, such as Dole Fruit in Jars, which provide five servings of all natural, fresh fruit. To spruce up your fruit, pair it with Daisy Cottage Cheese for a tasty parfait. Simply combine Dole Sliced Peaches, Daisy Low Fat Cottage Cheese and sliced almonds in a small bowl, then drizzle with honey and enjoy. Thursday: Multi-task: No need to choose between TV and your work out. Clear some space so that you can do push-ups, crunches, jumping jacks and squats while catching up on your favorite show. Friday: Give Yourself a Star: At the end of the week, mark each day that you exercised with a star on your calendar. That star will remind you of how you’ve been progressing and encourage you to keep going. A long-term goal, like running a marathon or dropping two dress sizes, is fine, but remember also to celebrate smaller achievements, like your first mile-long run or first five-pound loss. Tackle your program one week at a time, and your goals will become reality. Visit dole.com for more healthy snack ideas. ❚ Source: Family Features

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New Card Means More Secure Shopping Ahead A

(Getty Images photo)

n effort is underway to implement new technology across the U.S. that will better protect shoppers and their private information. The Europay, Mastercard and Visa (EMV) card is widely used overseas and can be found in the U.S. According to the Smart Card Alliance, EMV offers greater security because data is stored on a chip rather than the familiar magnetic stripe, making it nearly impossible to counterfeit an EMV card.

“As opposed to commonly used magnetic strip technology, the EMV chip is extremely difficult to crack by hackers,” said Philippe Benitez, vice president of business development for secure transactions for Gemalto, a digital security company that provides the EMV technology. “The card also contains a unique ‘stamp’ that prevents your personal and financial information from being used fraudulently if your card is stolen or lost.” EMV boosts security through the chip, a microprocessor with its own data storage, processing power and application software, and advanced cryptography to generate the unique transaction code. Generated by the EMV card and validated by your bank for each transaction, the code can’t be reused. A fake card with stolen data couldn’t perform a transaction at an EMV terminal because it wouldn’t generate the proper code. Instead of swiping, you’ll “dip” your card into the payment terminal for the

transfer of data, which will take slightly longer than the swipe. A contact-free EMV card will be available, allowing shoppers to “tap” rather than “dip,” speeding up the check-out time. Initially, cards will include both EMV and magnetic strip technology, so your card will work whether the retailer has adopted the new system or not. New guidelines being rolled out in the U.S. will hold banks or retailers not implementing this new security liable for fraud, and by late 2015, consumers will begin to see these changes. For more information about EMV and how it will affect your future cardbased purchases, visit www.thatsemv.com or www.gemalto.com/emv. ❚ Source: Family Features

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