Smart Living Weekly - March 23, 2016 by Northwest Quarterly Mag

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n iving g Sm mart a r t L ivi ivin ng Weekly Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • Rockford Region/Beloit 95¢ • March 23, 2016

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Right in Our Region

Conservatory Welcomes Butterflies

By Sarah Soenke, deputy editor

ockford’s top destination for tropical flora comes to new life this season with the return of “Simply Spring: The Butterfly Exhibit.” The fifth annual event is bigger than ever and welcomes more than 45 tropical and native butterfly species to grow and flutter within the Nicholas Conservatory

and Gardens, 1354 N. Second St. “We’re excited to bring back this exhibit because people love the butterﬂies,” says Lyndi Toohill, operations manager. “This exhibit starts just after the winter in mid-March, so people are looking for ways to get out and connect with nature.” 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! Preventing Colorectal Cancers • Shade Your Summer • Car Care Tips Lawn Care Ideas • This Week’s Fun Events

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In This Issue

Right in Our Region ........................Cover & p. 22 Butterﬂies at Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens Your Home & Garden ....................................... ..11 Ready, Set, Mow! Inspiration & Worship ......................................12 Easter: When Love Came Your Kitchen .....................................................15 Yummy Easter Dessert Recipe New You for 2016 ..............................................17 Put on Your Best Face Your Health ............................................. .......... 25 Why Colorectal Screenings Matter So Much Your Fun ................................................... ......... 27 Your Outing .......................................... ........ ....28 Barry Manilow at BMO Harris Bank Center Your Auto .......................................................... 29 Driving is Safer with New Technologies

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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

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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.

HOME LOAN

Metamorphosis I

t’s entirely coincidence that our cover story about butterflies visiting Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens is printing the Wednesday before Easter, but I’m sitting here thinking how appropriate that is. Butterflies are a symbol of hope and new life, with their striking transition from gravity-bound caterpillar to high-flying wonder. Easter is all about our transition from mortal lives to eternal ones, a miracle made possible through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It’s about hope. (I’m pretty sure the park district just thought the butterflies would make for a nice springtime exhibit, and they do. If you’ve never seen them, you’ll enjoy a visit for sure.) Especially in springtime, some of us can’t help but hear rumblings from an invisible world as the earth unleashes the fantastic energy needed to transform our dead landscape into something magically vibrant and fertile. I don’t understand it, but I feel the wonder of it. It’s OK that I don’t fully understand it. For many of us, the older we grow, the longer our lists of “Questions for God” grow; we don’t pretend to understand more than a glimmer of truth, and yet we’re more certain than ever that it exists all around us. I don’t feel compelled to ask others to experience faith in the same ways that I do; God gives each of us free will and we should each be as respectful. And yet I can’t help but feel chastened when I read about the declining percentage of Americans who identify with any faith group at all. A 2014 Pew Research phone poll of 35,071 adults finds that, while the U.S. remains home to more Christians than any other country in the world, the number of people identifying as such has dropped 8 percent just since 2007. Millennials (born 1981-1996) are the group showing the sharpest decline. It’s one reason so many Americans feel hopeless. If you feel inspired to share your faith with someone this Easter week, go for it. God is at work in all of us and love can change people into high-flying wonders, something even more beautiful than butterflies. Happy Easter! ❚

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Janine Pumilia Executive Editor Tell them you saw it in ...Smart Living Weekly

March 23

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Warm Weather is Near: Ready, Set, Mow! By Peggy Werner

ith the promise of spring in the air, it’s time to think about lawn care and how to keep that yard looking healthy, green and well maintained. “The No. 1 thing – and the easiest thing – people can do for the health of their lawns is to always mow the grass at the right height,” says Robert Ewald, CEO and president of Ewald Services, Inc., 1119 Turret Drive in Machesney Park. Ewald Services is a full-service lawn care company that offers mowing, seeding, fertilizer, regular and organic weed control, core aeration, pest control, spring and fall cleanup, drought management, tree pruning and removal, seal-coating for driveways and parking lots, and snow removal in the Rockford area, including Beloit and Janesville. The company sets itself apart from the competition by offering hydroseeding, a fast and economical

alternative to sod on new lawns. Grass seed mixed with mulch retains moisture better and decreases erosion. “Not only do you have to cut the grass at the right height, it has to be a clean cut with a sharp lawnmower blade, which not only gives your lawn a wellmanicured look, but also reduces mowing time and helps to prevent disease,” says Ewald. A lawnmower blade should be sharpened at least once a year or more often if needed. You can tell if a lawnmower blade needs sharpening by looking at it or by examining newly cut grass, which should not look torn and messy. Grass that doesn’t have a clean cut is weaker and more susceptible to fungus and other grass diseases. How long or short you cut the grass will be determined by the temperature and time of year. At the beginning and end of the mowing season, when temperatures are cooler, cut grass shorter to

help prevent disease, he says. Especially in the late fall, when the yard is mowed for the last time, shorter grass helps to prevent snow mold, a common fungus and turf disease in this area. Snow mold occurs when patches of long grass get matted down with snow and ice, creating the perfect breeding ground for mold, especially when melting begins. Snow mold can damage or kill grass and appears in small or large circular areas of pink or grey fuzzy mold and is most easily seen early in the day. Once the sun comes out and warms up the ground, the condition cannot be detected as easily. ❚

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I  W

When Love Came

he story of Easter is about the ministry, arrest, execution and resurrection of Jesus Christ, as recorded in the New Testament gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. But it really begins much earlier. Throughout the many centuries and books encompassed by the Old Testament, the birth, death and resurrection of a savior, or messiah, is foreshadowed with great detail. Isaiah is among Old Testament prophets who told fellow Israelites (Jews) that God would someday send a messiah to save them from the power of sin. About 1,000 years before Christ’s birth, Isaiah said a messiah would be born in Bethlehem to a virginal descendant of King David. This messiah would begin his ministry in Galilee after someone else paved the way (Jesus’ cousin, John the Baptist); he would heal the brokenhearted; be both exalted and beaten; would largely be rejected; would take the blame for the sins of all mankind; would be silent before his accusers; would be executed with criminals; would die with no bones broken, his body pierced; and would rise from the dead after three days and three nights spent in a rich man’s tomb. All of these prophecies, and many more, were fulfilled. What Old Testament prophets could not predict was the magnitude of impact this messiah would have on the world’s population. They didn’t understand that, by his death and resurrection, all people of the earth who believe on him – not just Israelites – would receive holy spirit and eternal life. Neither did they know that Christ would preach the law of love. In the Gospels, when asked about God’s priorities and expectations for us, Christ answers: “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.” (Matthew 22:36-40) After his execution, several of the women in Christ’s life were the first to discover his empty tomb and comprehend the astounding news of his resurrection. For the next 40 days, Christ the messiah appeared many times and spoke to many people. In his final day on earth, Christ gave his apostles very specific instructions: Wait in Jerusalem to receive holy spirit and then “…be witnesses to me both in Jerusalem, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) After those words, he was taken up and received into a cloud. Easter is not a story of death but of death conquored. The savior of mankind is risen. – Janine Pumilia Rejoice! ❚ 12

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March 23

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March 23

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March 23

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Celebrate Easter with an Updated Favorite E aster ham and carrot cake have been holiday menu mainstays for decades, but with the majority of millennials now hosting holiday family gatherings, retro dishes are getting a ﬂavorful facelift with new ingredients and ﬂavors. Elevate your holiday meal with this creative update to a Easter classic.

Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Bars Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 40 hours Servings: 24

Ingredients:

• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons ﬂour, divided • 2 cups sugar, divided • 1 1/2 teaspoons McCormick Ground Cinnamon • 1 teaspoon baking soda • 1/2 teaspoon McCormick Ground Nutmeg • 1/4 teaspoon salt • 2/3 cup vegetable oil • 4 eggs, divided • 2 teaspoons McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract • 1 1/2 cups ﬁnely grated carrots

• 3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened • 1/4 cup milk • 1 teaspoon Lemon Extract

Directions: Preheat oven to 325°F. Mix 1 cup each of flour and sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg and salt in large bowl. Add oil, 2 eggs, vanilla extract and carrots; mix well. Spread 1/2 of the batter into greased and floured 13x9-inch baking pan. Reserve remaining batter. Set aside. Beat cream cheese and remaining 1 cup sugar in another large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add milk, remaining 2 tablespoons flour and lemon extract; beat until well blended. Add remaining 2 eggs, 1 at a time, beating on low speed after each addition just until blended.

Drop spoonfuls of cream cheese mixture and reserved carrot cake batter, alternately, over carrot cake batter in pan. Cut through several times with knife for marble effect. Bake 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack. ❚

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March 23

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

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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March 23

Gustafson’s West Serving Our Hometown Since 1928

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March 23

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March 23

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R  O R

Butterflies Continued from Cover

What’s more spring-y than being completely surrounded by butterflies?” Running until May 15, the colorful showcase displays the full butterfly life cycle, where this year’s expected 17,000plus visitors can view growing caterpillars transforming into winged beauties. Parts of the 11,000-square-foot exhibition space invites guests of all ages to explore each step of metamorphosis through special events, educational displays and immersive exhibit areas. Hundreds of cocoons hang in the emergence room, where butterflies can be seen breaking out of their chrysales. These adults then fly free in the immersive butterfly house and create an ever-changing variety as new species cycle in and out. “The number of species at the exhibit can change all the time based on the availability of the butterflies,” says

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Toohill. “That’s the fun thing about coming back more than once; you can end up seeing a butterfly you didn’t see before.” This is the second year the exhibit includes exotic butterflies, and the number of included species keeps growing. The conservatory works with several butterfly farmers and the United States Department of Agriculture to safely bring these new species to Rockford from as far as Florida and Costa Rica. New this year, moths are a longawaited addition to the popular exhibit. On April 28, 29 and 30, Luna Nights will introduce luna moths through hands-on activities, education stations and plenty of glowing accessories. The three-day event will extend exhibit hours until 9 p.m. to allow face-to-face interaction with these nocturnal creatures. “We really wanted to bring these moths in because so many people have misconceptions about moths,” Toohill says. “People often think they’re just icky, brown insects that eat your clothes.

March 23

But some species are really quite beautiful, like these luna moths, which have these pale, lime-green wings.” During the exhibit’s two-month run, a string of other special events engage

R  O R visitors of all ages to learn about and interact with butterflies. On Saturday mornings throughout April, Breakfast with the Butterflies offers a chance to enjoy butterfly activities and crafts, a meal provided by Granite City and an exclusive trip through the exhibit. Two different botany labs, Cool Camo and Butterfly Buffett, will teach children how these species survive through special adaptations and diets. On April 16, visiting butterfly enthusiast Rhonda Brady will share her mobile butterfly lab to teach the wonders of the Monarch butterfly. A new workshop, Build Your Butterfly-Friendly Garden, will teach ages 16 and older how to incorporate butterfly-friendly plants and resources in yards and gardens on April 30. Registration is required for most events. “When we first started the exhibit in 2012, so much of what we designed was geared toward children,” says Toohill. Photos courtesy of the Rockford Park District, Photos by Jesse Fox

“But we’re including more and more adult-oriented components as we realize adults don’t know much about butterflies and want to learn more. We really stress learning about the entire lifecycle of these butterflies and how to encourage their numbers up here in northern Illinois.” Butterfly fans can also enjoy part of the exhibit right from home. The new Pupa Cam streams a view of the emergence room right on the conservatory’s website. If you aren’t able to catch a butterfly emerging from its cocoon during your visit, says Toohill, you can check in with the Pupa Cam to witness this amazing event at any time. The excitement and beauty of the Simply Spring exhibit draws visitors in from Milwaukee, Madison and Chicago, and not for just the exotic species. “This exhibit is so fun because you can really interact with these butterflies,” says Toohill. “You get to see all these species up close. You can see how they eat,

what their bodies look like, how they fly. Many of the tropical species you might not have ever seen before, but that can even be true for many of the native species, too. Much of the habitat for these native species is being destroyed in the local area, so it’s becoming more rare to see these butterflies in our own community, much less up close like this.” Nicholas Conservatory is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday through Sunday. For more information on admission rates and event registration, visit nicholasconservatory.com. ❚

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March 23

Y H

Get Screened for Colorectal Cancer

B y D r. R i c h a r d E . N o r a arch is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. According to the United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF), colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Still, current levels of screening in this country lag behind those of other effective cancer screening tests and it’s estimated that

attaining population goals for colorectal cancer screening could save 18,800 lives per year. As with all disease, prevention is better than treatment. A diet high in healthy grains, fruits and vegetables and low in red meats can help to prevent colon cancer. You should avoid processed meats such as hot dogs, deli meats and sausages. If caught in the early stages, colorectal cancer is curable. The USPSTF and the American College of Gastroenterology recommend that adults, beginning at age 50 and continuing until age 75, should be screened for colon cancer. Screening options include either: • Testing your stools for blood every year – even if you cannot see blood in it, it should be tested • A sigmoidoscopy every five years paired with stool blood testing, or • A colonoscopy every 10 years

It’s also important to talk to your doctor if you have a family history of the disease. If a family member has had colon cancer, you should get screened 10 years prior to the age of the family member at the time of his/her diagnosis. Recently the Canadian Cancer Society recommended that everyone age 50 to 75 have stool blood testing rather than a sigmoid or colonoscopy. This is an effort to save resources, but once again they confirm that screening saves lives. The fact of the matter is, no matter which option you choose, screening is effective. The best test is the one that gets done! ❚ Richard E. Nora, MD, practices in the Hematology/ Oncology departments at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center.

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March 23

presented by

MARCH 19 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; MAY 15, 2016 at Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens

Celebrate the arrival of spring and experience the magical world of butterflies! Enjoy being surrounded by live native and tropical butterflies in the tropical Conservatory, see the whole butterfly lifecycle in action as you view butterflies emerge from their chrysalis, and watch Monarch caterpillars munch on milkweed.

Exhibit Hours MON . . . . . . . . . . Closed TUE-FRI . . . . . 9 am-5 pm SAT, SUN . . . 10 am-3 pm Closed Easter Sunday (March 27, 2016)

For a list of hours, special events, and activities, visit us on the web at nicholasconservatory.com

A AF CIL

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March 23MEETINGS

SPECIAL OCCASIONS

BOOKING FOR Smart Living Weekly 26 NOW

IT Y

1354 N 2nd St | Rockford, IL | 815-987-8858 | nicholasconservatory.com We welcome the opportunity to assist guests with disabilities. Call for info.

WEDDINGS

Y F

Much Ado About Nothing March 23-April 2, Wed.-Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. & Sun. 2 p.m. & 8 p.m. Celebrate the 400th anniversary of The Bard’s passing with this performance of his classic tale. Studio Theatre at Rock Valley College, 3301 N. Mulford Road, (815) 921-2160, rockvalleycollege.edu/community/theatre. Peppa Pig’s Big Splash Live! March 25, 6 p.m. Dozens of familiar and original songs, as well as an interactive sing-along, will have fans laughing, singing, dancing and jumping in muddy puddles just like Peppa. Coronado Performing Arts Center (CPAC), 314 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 968-5222, coronadopac.org. Charlotte’s Web: Red Tail Ring March 25, 7:30 p.m. Two old-time-minded musical geniuses infuse songs with musical imagination, haunting harmonies and instrumental artistry on fiddle, banjo, mandolin, jawharp and plain-old foot stomping. Emerson House, 420 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 9649713, mendelssohnpac.org. Organ Music at Noon March 25, noon-12:45 p.m. Take a break from your day and enjoy an exciting afternoon concert played on Mendelssohn Hall’s grand pipe organ. Light lunch will be served following the concert. Mendelssohn Hall, 406 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 964-9713, mendelssohnpac.org. Movies on Main: “Brave” March 25, 7 p.m. Determined to make her own path in life, Princess Merida defies a custom that brings chaos to her kingdom. Granted one wish, Merida must rely on her bravery and her archery skills to undo a beastly curse. Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 987-6660, rockfordpubliclibrary.org/content/Nordlofcenter/Nordlof-events. Barry Manilow, One Last Time! March 26, 7:30 p.m. Barry Manilow re-launches his One Last Time! Tour, as a way of thanking his fans for years of support. BMO Harris Bank Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford, (815) 968-5222, thebmoharrisbankcenter.com. Puscifer: Money $hot Round 2 Tour March 28, 8 p.m., doors 7 p.m. This multi-media performance promises bone-breaking fun. CPAC, Rockford, (815) 968-0595, coronadopac. org. Tell them you saw it in ...

Join Barry Manilow for his One Last Time! Tour March 26 at BMO Harris Bank Center.

“Shakespeare’s Sonnets” March 29, noon. Dr. William Gahan, assistant professor of English at Rockford University, presents a lecture on Shakespeare’s sonnets: art vs. time. Feel free to bring a lunch. Rockford University, Rare Books Room, 5050 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 964-9713, mendelssohnpac.org. NLI Dinner & Award Presentation March 24, 6-8 p.m. Land conservation supporters and community members can gather to eat, socialize and hear about the work of the Natural Land Institute. $40. Cliffbreakers Riverside Resort, 700 W. Riverside Blvd., Rockford, (815) 964-6666, naturalland.org. Egg Hunt March 26, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Two museums join forces for an annual egg-stravaganza. Kids ages nine and under can look for eggs at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., while children of all ages can create super springtime art. Discovery Center Museum and Burpee Museum of Natural History, Rockford, (815) 963-6769, discoverycentermuseum.org. Rockford Meltfest 2016 March 26, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Celebrate the ﬁrst Saturday in spring with live music, a 5K run/ walk, kids fun run, group bike ride, indoor venue, market vendors, kids activities, ice skating and trolley rides (weather permitting). Prairie Street Brewhouse, 200 Prairie St., Rockford, meltfest. com. Spring into Science March 25-April 1, Mon.-Fri 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Celebrate STEM by playing with numbers, exploring translucent colors, dabbling in reﬂection and using refraction to make a rainbow viewer. Plus, engage in fun art activities and enjoy live science demonstrations. Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 9636769, discoverycentermuseum.org. ❚

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March 23

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Manilow Farewell Tour at BMO Center March 26

By Lindsey Gapen, assistant editor

ockford will host one of the last stops on the ﬁnal tour of music legend Barry Manilow, as he brings his One Last Time tour to BMO Harris Bank Center on March 26 at 7:30 p.m. The show promises an evening of reminiscing with the singer and a band of 13 musicians. “We’re having a great time putting the show together,” Manilow states. “We hope to take everyone on an emotional roller coaster. I can’t wait to see everyone dancing in the aisles.” Best known for “Mandy,” “Can’t Smile Without You,” “I Write the Songs” and “Copacabana (At the Copa),” Manilow has made an impressive career as a singer-songwriter and producer. “Barry Manilow is an iconic entertainer whose catalog of songs is so significant that he remains a top-level performer,” says Troy Flynn, executive director

and event manager of Rockford Area Venues and Entertainment Authority (RAVE). “He played major market venues last year and sold out most of his shows.” In 1978, ﬁve of Manilow’s albums were on the best-seller charts simultaneously – a feat rarely accomplished in music history. Between 1975 and 1983, the artist had no fewer than 25 Top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 – all of which appear on his 1992 four-CD boxed-set “Barry Manilow: The Complete Collection And Then Some.” Manilow has sold more than 80 million records worldwide, making him one of the world’s best-selling artists of all time. To date, 29 of his albums are certiﬁed platinum, while “Barry Manilow/ Live” (1977), “Even Now” (1978) and

“Greatest Hits” (1978) are each certiﬁed triple platinum. To commemorate the year Manilow’s career skyrocketed with the song “Mandy,” tickets for his Rockford show begin at $19.75 and range to VIP seats for $169.75. Call (815) 968-5222 or visit thebmoharrisbankcenter.com for more information and to order tickets. ❚

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. $. ❚

March 23

The Rockford Brewing Co.

he Rockford Brewing Co. restaurant, inside the Prairie Street Brewhouse, 200 Prairie St., Rockford, serves lunch and dinner seven days a week, and offers daily drink and food specials. On the menu are appetizers like shrimp & avocado ceviche, trufﬂe fries, a hummus plate and Poutine, made with Yukon gold fries, screw city light braised pork belly, cheese curds and herbed bacon gravy, along with soups and salads. “Handhelds” are sandwiches like pulled pork, screw city light corned beef, turkey club, and a BLT made with a one-third pound patty, with options of cherrywood bacon, and/or duck bacon. Entrees include ﬁsh and chips, ribeye steak and Gado Gado, an almondcrusted tofu dish. Rockford Brewing Co. is open Sun.-Wed. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.,Thurs. to midnight, and Fri.-Sat. to 2 a.m. ❚

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Drive Better at Any Age by Using Technology W hile cars today may not look much different from previous model years, the latest technology is helping to save lives. One in five injury crashes could be prevented or reduced if all passenger vehicles were equipped with specific types of technology, according to a study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. In the past, safety features were geared toward protecting drivers and passengers during a crash. Now, newer vehicle technologies have the potential to prevent a collision altogether. Many are already on the market, including:

• Blind-spot warning systems warn drivers of objects in blind spots, especially while changing lanes and parking. • Back-up cameras warn of objects behind the vehicle to help drivers judge distances and reverse more safely. (All cars will be required to have these by 2018.) • Smart headlights adjust range and intensity of light based on the distance of traffic and reduce glare and improve night vision.

* Collision avoidance systems alert the driver when the vehicle may be in danger. * Lane departure warnings monitor the vehicle’s position and warn the driver if the vehicle deviates outside the lane. * Parking assistance indicates distance to objects, making parking easier, or may enable vehicles to park on their own. * Adaptive cruise control allows the car to adjust its speed depending on traffic.

“As these technologies become more widely available, it’s important all drivers learn how they work and how to use them effectively,” says Jodi Olshevski, gerontologist and executive director of The Hartford Center for Mature Market Excellence. “This is especially true for mature drivers, as many technologies can enhance the driving experience as we age.” Drivers ages 50 to 69, according to a new study from The Hartford and the MIT AgeLab, are most willing to adopt these technologies: 1) blind-spot warning systems, 2) back-up cameras, 3)

smart headlights, 4) collision avoidance systems, and 5) lane departure warnings. A majority of participants indicated they’re willing to purchase these five technologies, are likely to use them and think they’re worth having. Staying current on the latest features available and using them appropriately may help all drivers, including mature drivers, to stay safe behind the wheel. Learn more by downloading a free vehicle technology guidebook; take an interactive video quiz at thehartford. com/cartech. ❚ Source: BPT

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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 March 21, 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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