Smart Living Weekly - April 6, 2016

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Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • Rockford Region/Beloit 95¢ • April 6, 2016

™

Right in Our Region

14th Annual Spring ArtScene April 15 & 16

By Janine Pumilia, managing editor

A

vibrant art scene is a hallmark of a healthy city; it improves quality of life for all and helps to attract visitors and new residents. If you’ve ever wondered about Rockford’s art scene, an ideal opportunity to explore it is coming up on the weekend of April 15 & 16.

“The 14th Annual Spring ArtScene is a way for artists to showcase and sell their latest work,” explains Anne O’Keefe, president & CEO of the Rockford Area Arts Council. “It also shows our residents that we definitely have an ‘ArtScene.’”

Continued on p. 22

Live a Better Quality of Life Reading & Using Smart Living Weekly Proudly Serving the Needs of 326,000 Neighbors - For Your Home, Health & Fun! Thrive Cafe at Peak Fitness • How to Swap Fish for Meat • April Local Events Boundaries for Fido • Hearing Loss and Dementia: Linked? • Tackling Outdoor Projects

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JACKPOTS UP TO $25,000!

REEL RANDOM JACKPOT WINS THIS SPRING:

They could happen at any time, any seat, any dollar amount and any reel combination.

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MOWING FERTILIZING HYDROSEEDING Call Today for a Free Estimate

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In This Issue Right in Our Region ........................Cover & p. 22 Spring ArtScene 2016 Your Home .................................................. ..... 11 Planning Your Garden Inspiration & Worship ......................................12 Free to Love Your Kitchen .....................................................15 Swap in Fish for Meat Recipes New You 2016 ...................................................17 Treating Vein Disease Your Health ............................................. .......... 25 Are Hearing Loss and Dementia Linked?

Outdoor Living ................................................. 29 Sometimes Renting Makes Sense Your Fun ................................................... ......... 27 Your Pet .............................................. ...............30 Giving Fido Boundaries

Dining Locally .............................................. .....33 Thrive Cafe at Peak Fitness

Smart L iving Weekly ™

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes

Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Managing Editor Janine Pumilia Deputy Editor Sarah Soenke Assistant Editor Lindsey Gapen Graphics Director Blake Nunes Graphic Designer Samantha Ryan Contributing Writers Peggy Werner General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes General Manager/Northwest Business Magazine Dave Marino Account Executives Brian Hughes Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes Website www.NWQSmartLiving.com Published by Hughes Media Corp.

222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104 (815) 316-2300, Fax: (815) 316-2301 lhughes@northwestquarterly.com Smart Living Weekly.

Copyright 2016 by Hughes Media Corp., 222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.

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Free to Be Artists

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hen I travel, I like to buy a small painting or sketch from a native artist. Living with this art evokes memories of special places and of people I personally met, whether at a park in Soviet Russia, on a boardwalk in Puerto Vallarta or at a farmers market in St. Augustine, Fla. I don’t expect this hodgepodge of artwork to grow in monetary value, although it might; I do expect it to enrich my life, and it does.

I can’t explain it well, but there’s something about interfacing with the artist, however briefly, that makes his or her work much more precious to me over time. That’s one reason the annual spring and fall ArtScenes organized by the Rockford Area Arts Council are so brilliant. Local artists live and work all around us, but how often do we get to know them? Each ArtScene I’ve attended has been a unique experience because of the variety of venues to choose among – 38 this year! – and the ever-changing circle of emerging artists and “old favorites.”

I mentioned the USSR earlier because I bought my first original painting there during a college trip in 1982 and learned an important lesson. The artist didn’t have permission from his then-Soviet government to be an artist or to sell his work, so the sale was technically illegal and he therefore refused to sign the canvas I had just watched him paint. “Please don’t say where you bought this,” he told me. It was heartbreaking.

It had never even occurred to me, before that day, that it could be illegal for an artist to make art or to earn money by using his innate talent. I assume things are better for today’s Russian artists but such edicts still constrain countless artists around the world and the world is poorer for it. It’s one more way we’re fortunate beyond words around here, so let’s not take it for granted.

Let’s get out to meet and support the talent which makes our city a unique place and a far more beautiful one.

See you at 2016 Spring ArtScene! ❚ Janine Pumilia Executive Editor Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Weekly

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Y H  G

Outdoor Projects: Renting Often Makes Sense

By Peggy Werner

W

hen tackling those exterior home projects, you’re not always sure what kind of tool you need or whether you’ll use it enough to make it worth buying. Renting a tool for a specific job can be a good alternative.

Whether you’re a do-it-yourselfer or a licensed professional, chances are Lincoln Rent-All & Sales, Inc. has the tools you need to get the job done. It’s located at 6635 E. Riverside Blvd. and 3110 Auburn St. “New homeowners don’t always know what they need,” says Tim Kinney, manager. “Others want to try out equipment before they buy it. Some people won’t live in one place for long and don’t want to go to the expense of buying it.

And, some jobs are done so infrequently, it’s not worth purchasing a piece of equipment.”

The company services everything it sells, including Toro and Stihl lawn equipment.

Rental equipment available at both locations includes lawn and garden tools, fans, generators, augers, miter saws, skid loaders and much more. Accessories available for sale include blades, gloves, safety glasses, sandpaper, shovels and rakes, and parts for Toro, Stihl, Snapper, Honda, Kohler, Kawasaki and Briggs and Stratton machines.

In business since 1956, Lincoln Rent-All & Sales prides itself on being one of the most complete rental businesses in the Rockford area, with an emphasis on quality equipment, customer service and trained staff members who can show you how to use equipment before taking it out of the store.

For more information, go to lincoln-

rent-all.com or call the east side store at (815) 633-9322 or the west side store at (815) 968-0931. ❚

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I  W

Free to Love

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ooted deep within our American souls is a love for freedom; freedom from oppression of all kinds and freedom to build our lives as we choose.

The desire for freedom is one of the prevailing themes in human history.

Likewise, the desire of oppressors to control the lives of others – whether for wealth, nationalism, religion or sheer love of power – is deeply ingrained in human behavior.

Ironically, the example set for us by the Creator of the universe couldn’t be more different. God, the one being who has the right to impose power over us, instead grants to each of us the freedom to serve Him or not.

God could have created us as automatons who always please Him, but He didn’t. In the Garden of Eden, He told man to obey Him for man’s own good; Adam and Eve disobeyed, resulting in the end of paradise and the beginning of human misery. God next devised a plan for his son Jesus to salvage the God-human relationship through Jesus’ perfect, loving and freely given obedience.

“For as through the one man’s disobedience [Adam] the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one [Jesus] shall the many be made righteous.” – Romans 5:19 (KJV) God not only wants our obedience, but also our love, freely given, much as human parents yearn for the same from their children.

We see this in Matthew 22:36 when Jesus is asked: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus, who knows the heart of God better than anyone, 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. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Love worth having is freely given. ❚ – Janine Pumilia

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Y K

See How Seafood Transforms Classic Dishes N ow more than ever, food choices matter. People want healthy, environmentally friendly foods without sacrificing flavor. Substituting the traditional protein in your favorite dishes with seafood is one deliciously smart way to satisfy these demands.

Seafood offers numerous health benefits. In fact, because seafood is high in protein, omega-3 fatty acids and essential vitamins and minerals, but low in saturated fat and calories, several health organizations recommend two servings per week.

When it comes to the environment, seafood offers an advantage as well – it’s the most environmentally friendly of all the animal proteins. In a comparison of environmental costs, wild-capture fisheries have a miniscule cost compared to foods such as beef, chicken, pork and dairy.

Changing up traditional meals to incorporate the goodness of seafood is easier than you may think. Just pick a nonseafood protein dish that you regularly enjoy, and replace the protein with one of Alaska’s many species of seafood. For example, replace the chicken in chicken Marsala with flavorful Alaska salmon.

Cook for 2-4 minutes, turn fillets over and cook until almost done.

Remove fillets from pan; set aside.

Off heat, add wine to pan, scraping bits off the bottom.

Return pan to heat and add mushrooms. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and cook for 1 minute. Add stock and thyme, and let liquid reduce by half.

Return salmon fillets to pan. Cook, while basting fish, until fillets are heated through. Remove fillets to 4 serving plates.

Return pan to heat, add cold butter and swirl until incorporated and sauce slightly thickens. Remove from heat and divide sauce evenly over salmon fillets. Garnish each plate with 1 thyme sprig. ❚ Source: Family Features

Salmon Marsala

Servings: 4 Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 Alaska salmon fillets (4-6 ounces each) • 2 cups flour • 1/2 cup olive oil • 1 cup Marsala wine • 2 cups mushrooms, sliced • 2 cups chicken stock • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme • 2 tablespoons cold butter • 4 fresh thyme sprigs, for garnish

Directions: Season salmon fillets with salt and pepper, to taste. On plate, season flour with salt and pepper to taste. Dredge both sides of each salmon fillet in seasoned flour, shaking off excess.

Heat large saute pan and add olive oil then place each piece of salmon in pan.

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A N Y  

Getting a Leg Up on Good Vein Health

B y To n i R o c h a t’s not unusual for people of all ages to experience aches and pains in their legs after being on their feet all day.

But at some point, the intense continued discomfort that can include heaviness, fatigue, swelling, itching, muscle cramping, restlessness, and pigmentation in the legs and ankles, with or without varicose veins, signals that there may be an underlying cause.

Nearly 25 percent of Americans suffer some form of vein disease. It affects men and women and the disease runs in families and is called “chronic venous insufficiency” or “CVI.” Dr. Tracy Brito MD, Registered Vascular Technologist and specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of vein disorders, provides services to such patients at the InnovaMed Vein Clinic in the Vascular Center at Rockford Health Physicians-Perryville, 3401 N. Perryville Road.

“In the past 10 to 20 years, the public

I

has become more informed and educated about vein disease,” Brito says. “Overall, people are becoming more aware that the discomfort and unexplained swelling in their legs may be because of underlying vein disease, whether or not they have visible veins.”

Brito and her team provide specialty evaluation of each patient, utilizing ultrasound to determine whether an underlying medical problem is the cause of their symptoms.

“The first line of care for the patient, when CVI is identified as the cause of symptoms, is for the patient to be placed in correctly fitted compression hose with the appropriate strength as ordered by the physician,” Brito explains.

If this fails to control symptoms, or if the disease is advanced, “fortunately there are advanced, minimally invasive methodologies developed over the past 15 years that have proven effective in treating patients without invasive open surgical stripping procedures,” she says.

The patients are, in most cases, able to return to work right away and experience minimal pain.

“Thanks to growing public awareness of the dangers of undiagnosed vein disease, as well as the minimally invasive options for treatment, more people are enjoying an improved quality of life and are able to do all the things they love,” says Brito.

Patients often are pleasantly surprised to learn that they can find relief from their symptoms and prevent the progression of a treatable condition. ❚

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R  O R

ArtScene Continued from Cover

Art will be showcased at 38 galleries, studios and commercial establishments across Rockford from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, with artists present.

Collin Harrison

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Enjoy new exhibits and original works of art in varied media of watercolor, acrylic, wood, sculpture, pottery, furniture, jewelry, photography and multimedia. Chat with artists and meet new friends – nearly 10,000 people attend ArtScene each year.

“This event gives attendees the chance to talk to the artist in a fun, lively atmosphere,” says O’Keefe. “They can learn what inspires the artist, then purchase something that has that extra level of personal connection created by the experience.”

There’s a reason for including nongallery settings as venues for artwork.

“This is a great way for people to see art in a place that they feel comfortable, like a restaurant or dry cleaner,” she says.

“They see that artists are approachable.”

After all, art is meant to enhance our everyday lives, not just hang in museums.

And getting to know artists can be a lot of fun.

“RAAC ArtScene has artists that

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Drew Eurek

have been in the field for many years as well as emerging artists. Seeing new work from both is exhilarating,” says O’Keefe. “Our community is very fortunate to have such a wide variety of talented artists who add to our cultural fabric.”

New this year, the arts council has partnered with the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (RACVB) to debut an ArtScene website/application that attendees can use on their smart phones, tablets and desktop computers.

Attendees can pre-select specific venues and attractions they want to attend and create a personalized map to use each

R  O R night at ArtScene. Users also can receive text reminders letting them know of major events and activities, event updates or emergency announcements.

“Based on feedback we received from the Stroll on State ‘Plan Your Stroll’ application, we found that attendees appreciated the more streamlined experience,” says Andrea ManBarry Reithmeier dala, RACVB marketing & communications manager. “Now that people can prepare their itinerary in advance, they can be sure to visit the spots they didn’t want to miss. This is also great for first-time attendees or visitors since they can familiarize themselves with the participating locations, which Cover artwork created by Ron Clevenger with Ascension Art Studio.

is a big time saver.” The map application can be found at artsforeveryone.com.

Also new this year is “ArtScene After Hours” on Friday and Saturday from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. at Der Rathskeller Restaurant, 1132 Auburn St., Rockford. Come for the art and stay for the music and laughs.

“The Rockford Area Arts Council is so pleased to be able to work with our artists and venues to bring this cool event to art fans, new and seasoned,” says O’Keefe.

There’s no admission for this event, but visitors are encouraged to purchase art. It’s a win-win for all: Artists need to eat and we all have a need for some artwork that’s not mass produced for big box stores. The community as a whole benefits from a thriving cultural life that’s supported by its citizens.

Leo Perez

The Rockford Area Arts Council supports, promotes, and develops the arts for everyone in our Northern Illinois region. It’s guided by the vision of a community in which everyone enjoys and participates in the arts – and a community in which successful artist and arts organizations contribute to the vitality of the economy and quality of life. Learn more about the arts council at artsforeveryone. com.

For a complete list of Spring ArtScene venues with maps, and the artists who will occupy each one, go to springartscene.com. ❚

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Y H

Are Hearing Loss and Dementia Linked?

By Peggy Werner

H

earing loss may be a natural part of aging, but ignoring the problem could make you age faster, according to recent studies.

“Local doctors need to keep up with these studies and do what they can to help people so they won’t further withdraw from society,” says Shaunna Colombo, owner of Hearing Helpers, 1638 N. Bell School Road, Rockford.

Colombo is referring to studies that link hearing loss to cognitive decline and dementia.

One study by John Hopkins University involved 2,000 men and women ages 75-84 and found that, over a six-year period, memory and concentration declined 30 to 40 percent faster in people with hearing loss compared to those with normal hearing. A 2011 study with 600 older adults found that

those with hearing loss were more likely to develop dementia. A researcher at University of Utah Health Care studied more than 4,400 men and women 65 and older and found those with hearing loss at the beginning of the study, which was published in 2014, developed dementia at a higher rate than those without hearing loss.

There are several theories for how hearing loss may contribute to mental decline. First, if the brain is always struggling to hear certain sounds, other parts of the brain may suffer. The second theory says hearing impairment may lead to brain atrophy in those areas where sound is produced, again negatively affecting other parts of the brain. A third explanation suggests that people who have a hard time hearing withdraw and become socially isolated.

Colombo conducts state-of-the-art hearing tests in a home-like setting, while

getting to know her patients so she can offer hearing solutions suited to their lifestyles and budgets.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Hearing Helpers at (815) 398-4327 or go to HearingHelpers. com. ❚

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O L

You Been Thinking About Your Garden Yet?

By Kimberly Watley

A

lthough it’s still too soon to plant most flowers and vegetables, it’s never too soon to start planning your garden, no matter how small or large it will be. In fact, some of the most popular types of gardening today involve planting in containers or planting in miniature, says Scott Gensler, co-owner of Gensler Gardens, with locations in Davis Junction, Ill. and Loves Park, Ill. “For a person in downtown Rockford, this is a great way to garden,” says Gensler. “They can have a pot on their porch or upper balcony. You don’t have to have a yard to have a garden. Both flowers and vegetables can be planted in containers.”

Miniature gardening incorporates real plants into a small space decorated by figurines, garden gates, fences and anything else you can dream up.

“Miniature gardens are very popular,

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especially fairy gardens. They’re definitely the biggest fad we’ve seen lately,” says Gensler, who carries a wide selection of miniature gardening accessories such as stone cottages and tiny walking paths. Mini-gardening awakens a gardening interest in children, who also enjoy helping to plant container gardens.

Plants in containers, whether potted or hanging, provide a showy and convenient portable garden that can be enjoyed

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anywhere yard space may be limited.

Container gardening also is less time consuming than planting in the ground.

“This is a feasible and fun alternative for busy lifestyles,” Gensler says.

When it comes to plant selection, Gensler is always on the prowl for the best varieties to make his customers successful at gardening. Gensler’s sells biannual, annual and perennial plants and carries many starter plants and seed varieties of vegetables, fruits and herbs, along with indoor plants, vines, shrubs and trees.

This year, shade-loving begonias will take a top spot, replacing impatiens, which have suffered from a downy mildew outbreak in our region in recent years. The larger New Guinea impatiens are not at risk and remain a customer favorite.

“Browallia is another very good shade annual,” he says. It blooms with dainty but showy flowers.” ❚

Y F

“To Kill a Mockingbird” April 6, 1 p.m. & 7 p.m. Atticus Finch, a lawyer in the Depression-era South, defends a black man against an undeserved rape charge, and his daughter against prejudice. Lindo Theatre, 115 S. Chicago Ave., Freeport, (815) 233-0025.

“Menopause the Musical” April 7, 7:30 p.m. Four women at a lingerie sale have nothing in common but a black lace bra AND memory loss, hot flashes, night sweats, not enough sex, too much sex and more. This hilarious musical parody, set to classic tunes from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s, will have you cheering and dancing in the aisles. Coronado Performing Arts Center (CPAC), Rockford, (815) 968-0595, coronadopac.org.

Bontanica: A Gardener’s Luncheon April 8, 10 a.m. Historian and actress Leslie Goddard brings to life “Slient Spring,” the story of noted author and environmentalist Rachel Carson. Lunch by Greenfire. Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden, 2715 S. Main St., Rockford, (815) 965-8146, klehm.org/2016/04/ botanicadate/.

“The Comedy Party” April 8, 8 p.m. From numerous motion picture and television roles to standup specials, a documentary and two podcasts, Pauly Shore, Harland Williams, Tom Green and Bobby Lee have collectively covered the full spectrum of comedy, building a loyal fan base for years. Don’t miss your chance to see this hilarious quartet come together CPAC, Rockford, (815) 968-0595, coronadopac.org.

The Great War: World War I April 9-10, Sat. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Engage in history with the opportunity to walk near encampments, talk to more than 250 re-enactors about life as a soldier, learn about various military equipment and watch large-scale narrated battle re-enactments. Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford, (815) 397-9112, midwayvillage.com.

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Rockford Speedway Opening Day April 9, open practice session 11 a.m., followed

by Enduro race. The track comes to life for the first time in 2016, as all teams are invited to take part in an Open Practice Session. Rockford Speedway, 9572 Forest Hills Road, Loves Park, Ill., (815) 633-1500, rockfordspeedway.com.

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Flashback to World War I April 9-10 at Midway Village Museum.

Pet Therapy Program April 10, 10:30 a.m.-noon; 1-3 p.m. Meet dogs that are trained to provide comfort to hospital patients. Learn what these amazing canines can do and how your dog could be part of the “Loving Tails” therapy program. Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., (815) 9636769, discoverycentermuseum.org.

Avalon String Quartet April 10, 3 p.m. The Avalon String Quartet has established itself as one of the country’s leading chamber music ensembles. Enjoy their performance “Celebrating Russian Composers.”

Mendelssohn Hall, 420 N Main St., Rockford, (815) 964-9713, mendelssohnpac.org.

Shakespeare Trivia Night April 12, noon. Get your teams together for a fun night of trivia hosted by Jeopardy winner Tim Anderson. Mendelssohn Hall, Rockford, (815) 964-9713, mendelssohnpac.org.

“In the Mood: 1940s” April 12, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. The brassy all-American 1940s musical “In the Mood” is celebrating 22 years on tour. Complete with authentic costumes, music arrangements and choreography, the show pays homage to America’s Greatest Generation, the brave men and women who fought in WWII. CPAC, Rockford, (815) 9680595, coronadopac.org.

ArtTalks Lecture: Wendy Schaller Crawford April 13, noon. Enjoy lunch and a lecture about fashion and travel in different countries.

Rockford Art Museum, Rockford, (815) 9682787, rockfordartmuseum.org.

American Girl Fashion Show April 16, 2 p.m. Junior League of Rockford fundraiser at Tebala Shrine Center, 7910 Newburg Road. Learn more at jlrockford.org. ❚ Smart Living Weekly

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High Nutrition Served at Peak’s Thrive Café

By Peggy Werner

P

eak Sports Club, 4401 Peak Drive, Loves Park, is offering yet another way to achieve good health.

Thrive Café opened seven months ago and is open to the public as well as to Peak members. The menu consists primarily of freshly made salads, wraps, Panini sandwiches, cold-pressed juices and smoothies. All homemade items are prepared with fresh ingredients purchased locally.

Jason Rager, owner and operator of Thrive Café, is a personal trainer who emphasizes the nutritional side of fitness to get the most out of a workout. He says good carbohydrates fuel a workout and protein and other nutrient-rich foods like fruits and vegetables help the body to recover and repair after strenuous activity.

Rager describes the freshly made cold-

pressed juices and smoothies as a “meal-in-a-cup” because of the quantity of fruits and vegetables used in each 16-oz serving. Making the drinks on the spot allows for optimum nutrition you can’t find in processed foods.

Juicing extracts the liquid from fruits and vegetables, leaving the fiber behind.

Without the fiber, it’s easier to consume lots of fruits and vegetables and quickly get essential vitamins, minerals and enzymes into the blood stream for an energy burst.

“Juicing changes the body at a cellular level. With new cells being generated all of the time and getting the nutrients they need, the body just functions better,” he says.

Smoothies are made with the whole fruit, giving the consumer the benefit of fiber, which is more filling. It allows for a slower release of sugar into the bloodstream and is good roughage. Because smoothies are blended, you can add other ingredients like nuts and seeds that can’t go through a juicer.

Either way, people get daily servings of fruits and vegetables they otherwise might not consume, which helps to protect the human body from disease, he says.

Thrive Café is open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Monday through Friday; from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and closed Sunday. ❚

In the Spotlight Top Picks for Local Restaurants Arturo’s Mexican Restaurant E Casual/Authentic Fresh Mexican. 107 W. Main St., Poplar Grove, Ill., (815) 765-1144.

LD M 11am-8pm; Tue-Th 11am-9pm; Fri 11am-10pm; Sun noon-8pm. $.

Big Papa’s BBQ E Casual. Exceptional dishes made with proprietary BBQ sauces. 8660 N. 2nd St., Machesney Park; (815) 877-7422. LD Mon-Sat 11am-9pm, Sun. 8am-8pm. $-$$.

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

Cannova’s Italian Cuisine E Casual. 1101 W. Empire St., Freeport, (815) 233-0032. D T-Th, Sun 5-9pm; F-Sat 10pm. $-$$.

Ciao Bella Ristorante E Upscale-Casual/Italian-American.

Extensive wine list; daily specials. 6500 E. Riverside, Loves Park, (815) 654-9900. LD M-F 11am-9pm, Sat 5-9pm, Sun 4-7:30pm.

Costa’s Ristorante E Upscale-Casual. 133 Blackhawk Dr., Byron, Ill., (815) 234-4707. Open daily 4pm. $-$$.

Dos Reales E Casual/Mexican. Authentic Mexican fare, lunch menu. 5855 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 227-4979. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 10:30pm. $-$$.

Giordano’s Famous Stuffed Pizza E Casual/Italian. Pick-up/ delivery. 333 Executive Pkwy., Rockford, Ill. (815) 398-5700.

LD Sun-Th 9am-11pm; F-Sat to midnight. $.

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JMK Nippon Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar E UpscaleCasual. Food cooked tableside. 2551 N. Perryville, Rockford, (815) 877-0505. L T-F 11:30am-2pm, Sat 2:30pm; D M-Th 5-9:30pm, F-Sat 10:30pm, Sun 4:30-9:30pm. $$.

Main Street Bistro E Casual/Fine dining. Th&Sat. 109 S. Galena, Freeport, (815) 232-2322. M-Sat 2pm-midnight. $$.

Maciano’s Pizza & Pastaria E Casual. Beer/wine. 6746 Broadcast Pkwy., Loves Park, (815) 963-7869. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat 11pm. $$.

Maxson Riverside Restaurant E Casual/American. 1469 IL Route 2, Oregon, Ill., (800) 468-4222. LD M-Sat 11am-8pm, Br Sun 10am-3pm. $$.

Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint E Fine Dining. Ironworks Hotel, 500 Pleasant St., Beloit, Wis. (608) 313-0700. D Sun.Th 4:30-9pm, Fri-Sat. 10pm. $$.

Napoli Pizzeria III & Top Dollar Slots E Takeout/delivery.

6560 N. Alpine, Loves Park, (815) 877-9888. LD daily 11am.

Prairie Street Brewhouse E Upscale-Casual/American. 200 Prairie St., Rockford, (815) 277-9427. LD Sun-W 11am-10pm, Th to midnight, F-Sat to 2am. $-$$.

Tavern on Clark E Casual/American. 755 Clark Ave., Rockford, (815) 708-7088. LD daily 10am. $-$$.

This Is It Eatery E Casual/American. 16 N. Chicago Ave., Freeport, (815) 616-5449. LD T-Th 11am-8pm, F-Sat 10pm. $. ❚

April 6

Merrill & Houston's Steak Joint

L

ocated at 500 Pleasant St., inside the Ironworks Hotel, the restaurant features mouth-watering steaks, along with a full-service menu of fish, chicken and and sea food selections.

Named after the men who's 1858 foundry became Beloit Corp., Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint celebrates Beloit's rich industrial history.

Many of its components are constructed with repurposed materials salvaged from historic buildings. Leather seats, hardwood floors and many historic photographs lining the walls give the space a rustic feel.

Merrill & Houston's is available for private and corporate events. The main dining room seats 120 and the banquet room can accommodate 200 guests.

Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint is open daily at 4 p.m. ❚

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April 6

29

Y P

Set Boundaries for Fido with Fence System

By Peggy Werner

W

ant to be better friends with your dog and eliminate the frustration that comes with misbehaving and runaway pets?

Invisible Fence of Northwestern Illinois, 4410 Route 176 in Crystal Lake, specializes in the installation of pet fences, dog training, and a full line of products for dogs and cats inside and outside of the home.

“Our staff is committed to customer service and pet safety. Our best day is when a customer comes into the office and says ‘this is the best thing we ever did.’ Homeowners say they actually like their dogs again,” says Joyce Brennan, owner of Invisible Fence of Northwestern Illinois.

The business specializes in the installation and training for the Invisible

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Smart Living Weekly

Fence brand in a six-county area. Each installation is customized to meet the homeowner’s needs. People can keep their pets at home while protecting things like garden beds and ponds; they can also set up an inside system to keep dogs off couches, out of litter boxes and other forbidden areas. Separate spaces and different rules for multiple pets can also be accomplished, says Brennan.

Invisible Fence Brand is unique in that it utilizes professional pet trainers certified through Perfect Start Plus Dog Training developed in collaboration with leading animal behaviorists to ensure safety and success when helping pets adjust to their new boundaries. The brand also offers a transferrable lifetime warranty when a homeowner moves.

It’s rare to find a pet that can’t be trained.

April 6

“If a pet is approachable, friendly, and non-aggressive, it can be trained,” says Brennan. “Some people believe that some breeds can’t be trained, but that just isn’t true,” she says.

For more information or to schedule a free in-home consultation, contact Invisible Fence of Northwestern Illinois in Crystal Lake at (815) 477-1092 or (800) 578-3647 or go to invisiblefence. com. ❚

R E C

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.

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Type in Gambino Realtors and download.

1.815.282.2222

Mortgage Advisor 15 Yr Fixed

Lenders Byron Bank

Rate

byronbank.com

APR*

(815) 234-2561 Mo. Payment*

30 Yr Fixed

30 Yr Jumbo FHA/VA & ARM

2.75%

3.51%

3.25%

$967.04

$640.68

$631.02

3.128%

4.040%

4.294%

Please Call

Smart Living Weekly Magazine’s Mortgage Advisor is intended to provide you with a guide to securing the mortgage you seek. Quoted rates are supplied by the institutions (as of April 4, 2016) and can change daily. Interest rates and monthly payment installments are based on a $150,000 loan with a 5% down payment and 0 points; FHA with a 3.5% down payment and 0 points. APR is based on a good faith estimate of prepaid finance charges. Your APR will vary according to the specifics of your transactions. Contact the bank, credit union or S&L directly for their most current rates. The mortgage rate you obtain will be based upon your credit rating, loan amount and standing with that particular financial institution. * APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Mo. Payment = The monthly principal and interest payment.

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Issue 1