Smart Living Weekly - November 30, 2016

Special Holiday Savings Inside!

Sm mart a r L iving Weekly Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • Rockford Region/Beloit 95¢ • November 30, 2016

™

Right in Our Region

Klehm Concert & Dessert Event Ushers in Holidays

See Page 20

Why Remodel Your Home?

Caring for Backyard Birds Upcoming Holiday Events Yummy Salad Recipes Tips to Avoid Overspending

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Best of Life Information for Our Region’s Residents & Visitors Proudly Serving the Needs of 326,000 Neighbors - For Your Home, Health & Fun!

Smart Living Weekly

Issue 1

53

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In This Issue Right in Our Region ........................Cover & p. 20 Concert and Dessert at Klehm Your Home .................................................. ..... 11 Why Home Remodeling Makes Sense Inspiration & Worship ......................................12 The Dawn of Grace Your Kitchen .................................................9, 15 Yummy Holiday Salads, Easy Entertaining Your Health ............................................. .......... 25 Know Your Risk Factors Your Fun ................................................... ......... 27 Dining Locally .................................................. 29 Cannova’s Italian, Bravo Pizza

Your Money ................................................. ......31 Tips for Keeping Holiday Spending in Check Outdoor Living ................................................. ..33 Caring for Our Feathered Friends

Smart L iving Weekly ™

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Managing Editor Janine Pumilia Assistant Managing Editor Lindsey Gapen Deputy Editor Jermaine Pigee Graphics Director Blake Nunes Graphic Designer Samantha Ryan Contributing Writers Peggy Werner General Sales Manager Brent Hughes

KLEHM ARBORETUM & BOTANIC GARDEN INVITES YOU TO A

Sales Manager Brad Hughes Account Executives Brian Hughes, Jeremy Jones Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes Website www.SmartLivingWeekly.com

{FEATURING {F FEATURING THE 2ND CITY CHORUS, CHO ORUSS, EM ORUS EEMERALD MERA ALD D WI WIND ND MUS MUSIC, TRINA TRINADORA ADORA A… …}}

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.

{BY GREENFIRE} GREENFIRE} {BY

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2715 S. Main St. | Rockford, IL 61102 | klehm.org/christmasconcert 6

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Published by Hughes Media Corp.

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

Nov 30 To advertise call 815-316-2300

Why We Exist S

ometimes it’s good to remember our roots.

I’ve been thinking back to why we began printing Smart Living Weekly in 2012.

First, this little publication is dedicated to helping you live smarter and better, by providing brief, practical articles about your health, money, home and much more. Second, it’s designed to strengthen locally owned businesses.

Being a locally owned cheerleader for our region is nothing new to us. For more than 12 years, we’ve produced Northwest Quarterly, a giant, glossy, pretty magazine that showcases the best of life in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. We highlight our amazing landscapes, people, history and attractions.

We sincerely believe that our region is wonderful. We also believe that it can be improved, and that persuading more people to buy locally more often is one way to strengthen our local economy.

Why does buying locally matter? For one thing, about 80 cents on every dollar spent at a big-box store leaves our community. By contrast, local businesses spend their money right here at home, by hiring local accountants, bankers, painters, insurance agents, web site designers, attorneys … you get the idea.

Sure, we all do some shopping at chain stores. But economists estimate that if we shifted just 10 percent of our dollars to locally owned businesses, our region would see more than $1 million in new economic activity and hundreds of new jobs.

Locally owned businesses also make a place unique. Their owners are better employers and community advocates. But they can rarely compete on a level playing field against national chain stores.

Each week, homeowners are assaulted by a mess of national ad circulars. Small businesses can’t afford this expensive advertising.

By providing blanket coverage for small businesses through Smart Living Weekly, we’re helping local folks to compete for your attention. We connect you, the consumer, with local businesses that are accountable to you.

Their owners live here and can’t hide behind a faceless 1-800 number.

Now that we’re full blast into the shopping season, we hope you’ll support your neighbors by shopping and dining at locally owned restaurants. We really are stronger together. ❚

Get back to what matters most…

At 1st Family Home Healthcare, we provide the highest quality of home-based patient care so you can get back to life.

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Janine Pumilia Managing Editor

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Y K

Get ‘Home-Cooked’ Food on the Run

By Peggy Werner n the run, but want a good homecooked meal?

Stop in at 2nd Street Deli Grill and Catering, located in Main Street Meat Company, 9515 N. 2nd St., Roscoe, to grab a cup of homemade soup, plus salads, sandwiches and desserts, while relaxing in the home-like setting.

“We have so much to choose from.

We just want to provide the community with different choices for quality meat and homemade products,” says Amy King, who owns the business with her husband, Jim. Their son, Matt, runs the store, and daughter Hannah also works for them.

Signature sandwiches can be purchased as a halves or whole, with chips or a deli salad and a medium fountain beverage – or design your own creation from a large selection of meats, cheeses, toppings, sauces, and breads.

O

Some of the delicious tastes combinations include Little Italy, a sandwich made with prosciutto, capicola, pepperoni, and provolone cheese; Hononegah Indian Sub is made from smoked ham and smoked turkey, summer sausage and smoked Cheddar cheese. The Chicken Coup is made from homemade chicken salad, cranberries, pepper jack cheese and walnuts. Cold Corny Cow is made from slowly cooked in-house corned beef, with creamy cole slaw and Swiss cheese on a rye loaf.

From the Grill, there is Perfect Pastrami, made with brown mustard, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese on rye; the King Burger, a half-pound burger with onion rings, bacon, Cheddar cheese, mayonnaise and BBQ sauce. Squealler is made from the award-winning Pulled Pork – overflowing with juices and a smoky de-

licious flavor.

The deli also will provide trays of meats, vegetables, fruits and other food for parties or as gifts.

Some of the extras include French fries, Parmesan potato chips, cheese curds, macaroni and cheese, chicken tenders and corn dogs – all made on site.

The Deli is open during store hours from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5p.m. Sunday. ❚

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Nov 30 To advertise call 815-316-2300

Y H  G

Home Upgrades Make Sense Any Time

By Janine Pumilia, managing editor

T

he majority of today’s homebuyers are looking for homes that have been updated and they’re willing to pay more for them. “In fact, we find that if the home is not updated and fresh, it will always be reflected in a much lower selling price,” says Frank Gambino, owner of Gambino Realtors and Gambino Building and Remodeling.

And, those people who update their homes just for their own enjoyment reap a significant psychological benefit.

“They feel better and happier about their surroundings,” says Gambino.

For more than 90 years, the Gambinos have been leaders in selling real estate as well as building and remodeling homes in the region.

Recently, Gambino opened a new building/remodeling design center and showroom at 6114 E. Riverside Blvd.,

in Loves Park, to help customers have a better experience with the design and decision-making process.

“The advantage for our customers is that it’s more convenient and the showroom offers a wider sampling of kitchen and bath materials and ideas,” says Gambino. “People are very visual. It’s a lot easier to have something to look at before a plan is set in stone. We’re able to really talk and look over the options, so we feel we’re making the right decision.”

Gambino’s contractors average 20 years or more of working for the Gambinos. “We believe in quality and trustworthy craftsmen,” says Gambino. “What sets us apart from the box stores and other remodelers is that we handle the pro-

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

Call (815) 637-0113 to learn more. ❚

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I  W

Christmas

The Dawn of Grace

W

hile many details related to Jesus’ birth are murky, scriptures in both the Old and New Testaments couldn’t be clearer about his purpose for coming: to bring light to a dark world and everlasting life to those who choose to believe in him.

In Luke 4:16-21, shortly after Jesus began his ministry, he went to his hometown synogogue in Nazareth, opened the scroll of the prophet Isaiah (part of the Old Testament, written some 700 years before he was born) and read: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.”

Then Jesus closed the book, gave it back to the minister, and sat down.

Everyone stared at him, and he told them, “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.”

While many religions recognize Jesus as a prophet, only Christianity celebrates him as the son of God and the messiah prophesied in the Old Testament.

Christianity is entirely unique in its message of grace.

“For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God,” writes the apostle Paul in Ephesians 2:8.

John 1:17 tells us, “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came

by Jesus Christ.”

Jesus Christ ended classism by extending the option of salvation to all people, Jew and non-Jew, male and female, slave and free (Galatians 3:28).

Shortly before his death by crucifixion, Jesus prayed not only for people who already believed on him, but for “all those who shall believe on me through their word” (John 17:20) – and that means us.

Why not make time this season to read for yourself the scriptures that describe Christ’s birth? You’ll find them in the first chapters of the gospels of Luke and Matthew.

Merry Christmas! ❚ 12

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Nov 30 To advertise call 815-316-2300

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Thinking about a New Kitchen or Bath? le b a rd o ff A t

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www.GambinoHomes.com 14

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New Kitchens Startin g under $10,000!

Call for details.

The Contractor you’ve trusted your home to for over 90 years.

Nov 30 To advertise call 815-316-2300

Y K

Yummy Salads for the Holiday Season T

he holiday season is usually full of sweet treats and large meals, but a side dish of yummy salad can help bring balance. Consider adding a holiday honeycrisp salad or a spinach salad with warm bacon dressing to your dinners.

Holiday Honeycrisp Salad

Ingredients: 3 honey crisp apples thinly sliced Juice of 1/2 lemon 12 oz. salad greens (spring mix, baby spinach, arugula, baby romaine or combo) 1 cup pecan halves toasted 3/4 cup dried cranberries or dried cherries 4 oz. blue cheese Dressing: 1/2 cup olive oil 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar 1/4 cup apple juice or apple cider 2-3 Tb. honey 1 Tb. lemon juice Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation: Place apples in baggie and squeeze lemon juice over, mix to coat. Layer greens, apples, pecans, berries and cheese. Pour dressing over before serving.

Spinach Salad Bacon Dressing

with

Warm

Ingredients: 5 servings 12 oz. bacon, cooked (drippings and browned bits reserved) 5 large eggs boiled and sliced 9 oz. baby spinach 6 oz. mushrooms sliced 1/2 red onion 1 cup swiss cheese cubed small Croutons Dressing: 3 Tb. bacon dripping 2 Tb. olive oil 1/3 cup red wine vinegar 1 Tb. dijon mustard 1 Tb. honey Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation: In a skillet, whisk together bacon drippings, olive oil, red wine vinegar, dijon and honey.

Season with salt and pepper. Allow to simmer over medium heat for 1 min. Stir in two slices of bacon, crumbled. Allow to cool slightly.

In a bowl, toss spinach, bacon, mushrooms, onion and cheese. Toss with dressing. Add eggs and croutons on top. ❚

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WE HAVE THE ROOM YOU HAVE A PARTY

AgRaOvOeM THE AGAVE ROOM AT LUCHA CANTINA IS AVAILABLE FOR USE THROUGHOUT THE HOLIDAY SEASON. CONTACT INFO@LUCHACANTINA.COM OR CALL FOR DETAILS.

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R  O R

Christmas Season Blooms at Klehm M

ake your holiday season even merrier by joining the fun at Klehm Arboretum’s Christmas Concert and Holiday Dessert Buffet on Sunday, Dec. 4 at 2 p.m. A variety of local musicians and singers, including the barbershop group 2nd City Chorus, the harp ensemble Emerald Wind, and the folk duet Trinadora, will delight all ages with renditions of traditional favorites and some soon-to-be favorites.

An intermission will allow concertgoers the time they need to choose delectable desserts, candies and other treats from a beautiful buffet provided

by GreenFire Restaurant & Bakery. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, mulled wine and punch will be available throughout the concert.

All proceeds will benefit Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden, a 155-acre

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Smart Living Weekly

living museum filled with spectacular desserts on any given week. Shendet Isgardens and rare trees. There’s beauty majlaj, GreenFire owner for the past year, in every season, from fragrant magnolia has a long history of working in Rocktrees in spring and a butterfly garden in ford area restaurants and is now carrying summer to the brilliant colors of fall and on the dream of the late Philippe Forcioli, snow-capped evergreens in winter. It’s who owned Café Patou and then opened located at 2715 S. Main St. in Rockford GreenFire. and has more than 500 labeled species and cultivars of woody plants. There are also 75 types of hostas, 90 kinds of daylilies and 72 types of peonies.

The event is sponsored

by Tree Care Enterprises Inc., a tree care, landscaping and maintenance company in Rockford.

GreenFire Restaurant & Bakery is known for its natural ingredients and a selection of at least 12 kinds of fresh-made Emerald Wind

Nov 30 To advertise call 815-316-2300

R  O R

Trinadora

The Concert

2nd City Chorus is an award-winning group of men of diverse ages and backgrounds specializing in four-part harmony a cappella singing in the Barbershop Style. It was founded in 1996 and is considered to be one of Rockford’s premier musical ensembles.

The men of the 2nd City Chorus come from all walks of life. They are teachers, engineers, salesmen, pilots, mechanics, counselors, doctors and retirees

who share a tremendous love for music.

They sing under the direction of Joe Tomecek and rehearse weekly.

Emerald Wind is comprised of sisters Emily, 18, and MaryKathleen Scordato, 17, who play flute and harp. Both young women have been studying music since age 3, in Rockford, and have composed several original pieces. Their younger siblings, Joseph, Christopher and Christiana, often accompany them. All five children have studied at Rockford Music Academy and specialize in Celtic music.

They’ve performed at bistros, concerts, festivals, theatrical performances, private events and special celebrations throughout our community.

Trinadora is comprised of classically trained musician Ron Holm and roots-music maven Jannie Nelson. They describe their music as “a mélange of standards and original compositions in genres that include jazz, blues, classic country, early rock-n-roll, and just about any other ingredient you can think of. We

Klehm is home to more than 500 labeled species and cultivars of woody plants. There are also 75 types of hostas, 90 kinds of daylilies

season our vocals with keyboard, ocarina, concertina, harmonica, and guitar accompaniment.”

Trinadora takes its name from a trilling bird native to Argentina; in Peruvian slang, the word means “guitar.” The performers are natives of our region.

The cost of this event is $25 per person, or $20 for members, students and children under 12.

Register online at Klehm.org or call (815) 965-8146. ❚

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Nov 30 To advertise call 815-316-2300

Y H

Health Advice All Women Need to Hear W ith all the caregiving women do for others, they often need a reminder to pay attention to their own health.

Aside from skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among U.S. women. Each year, about 40,800 women died from it. Early detection greatly raises the odds of surviving cancer, which is why doctors urge women to have regular checkups and mammogram screenings, and to do breast self-checks.

While most women have some risk factors, most don’t get breast cancer. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, some risk factors are: • Getting older. Most breast cancers are diagnosed after age 50.

• Genetic mutations. Inherited changes (mutations) to certain genes, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2.

• Early age at onset of menstrual period.

• Late age at or no pregnancy. Having the first pregnancy after age 30 and never

having a full-term pregnancy can raise breast cancer risk.

• Starting menopause after age 55.

• Not being physically active.

• Being overweight or obese after menopause.

• Drinking alcohol.

• Having dense breasts.

• Taking hormones to replace missing estrogen and progesterone in menopause for more than five years.

• Taking certain birth control pills.

• Personal history of breast cancer.

• Personal history of certain non-cancerous breast diseases.

• Family history of breast cancer, meaning a first-degree female or male relative.

• Radiation therapy before age 30.

• Women who took the drug diethylstilbestrol (DES), between 1940 and 1971, to prevent miscarriage, and women whose mothers took DES while pregnant with them.

Guidelines and recommendations vary, with regard to when women should begin having mammograms and how often they should be repeated. Women should talk to their doctors about this.

Keep in mind that abnormal mammogram results don’t always mean cancer; they simply mean that further testing is required. Mammograms don’t take long and are covered by most insurance programs. Schedule yours at your hospital of choice. ❚

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Thank you for making Stroll on State so memorable! strollonstate.com | #strollonstate Brought to you by the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

STROLL ON STATE SPONSORS Partner Organizations

Presenting Sponsor

Supporting Sponsors EST. 1988

Media Sponsors

Q

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Nov 30

Y F Autumn just might be the best time of year. The sun is a little lower (and prettier), the air is a little crisper (and cleaner) and the leaves cascade down in colorful splendor. This fall, spend some quality time in the fun, nearby, value-packed Rockford Region. See stunning fall colors at

Real. Original.

SM

Anderson Japanese Gardens, the finest in North America. Visit beautifully spacious Rock Cut State Park. Don’t miss Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden, with more than 500 different species of trees, shrubs and vines, all

ILLINOIS, USA

glowing in autumn’s glory. Indoors, our concert and theater season will be gaining momentum at Coronado Performing Arts Center, a beautifully restored downtown vaudeville house. Plus, our Riverfront Museum Campus will be coming alive for the whole family. Visit gorockford.com today for a full list of autumn special events, festivals, gardens, golf and more.

Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau NWQ_fall.indd 1

102 N. Main St.

Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Tourism

Attractions & Events

“Elf the Musical” Nov. 30, “Elf the Musical” is the hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported Rockford, IL 61101 1.800.521.0849 gorockford.com back to the North Pole. He embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father.

Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 968-0595, coronadopac.org.

9/10/07 2:07:37 PM

Sport Management Symposium Dec. 1, 6-8 p.m. Speakers from the field of sport and recreation management answer questions and share success tips pertaining to careers in sport management. Rockford University, Burpee Center, Regents Hall, 5050 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 226-4100, rockford.edu/artslectures/ forum.

Adult Coloring Dec. 2, 11:30-1:30 p.m. Coloring is becoming a popular relaxation hobby for grown-ups and is a recommended mental health therapy activity.

Rockford Public Library, Rock River Branch, 3128 11th St., Rockford, (815) 398-7514, rockfordpubliclibrary.org.

Charlotte’s Web: The Last Revel Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m. Consisting of three members, The Last Revel uses traditional folk-minded three-part harmonies with honest and meaningful lyrics to deliver a passionate and soul-stirring performance. Emerson House, 420 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 964-9713, mendelssohnpac.org.

AE: Tally’s Folly Dec. 2-18, check times online. It’s 1944 and Matt Friedman, a middle-aged accountant from St. Louis, is nervous but determined to woo and win Miss Sally Talley, the shy, spinster daughter of her family. Artists’ Ensemble Theater, Rockford University, Clark Arts Center, 5050 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 394-5004, artistsensemble.org.

Derek Luttrell Dec. 2, 7 p.m. Derek Luttrell performs at JustGood’s Friday Night Music Series. JustGoods Fair Trade Marketplace, 201 7th St., Rockford, (815) 965-8903, justgoods.info.

Evergreen Ball Winter Gala Dec. 3, 6 p.m. Evergreen Ball is Rockford Art Museum’s signature holiday gala. The elegant fundraiser features fine dinging by Chef Paul Sletten of abreo, live music by High Society

PAW Patrol Live! "Race to the Rescue" comes to the Coronado on Dec. 3-4.

Orchestra, plus wine auctions. Proceeds benefit Rockford Art Museum. Rockford Art Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 968-2787, rockfordartmuseum.org.

PAW Patrol Live! “Race to the Rescue” Dec. 3-4, Sat. 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m. PAW Patrol Live! “Race to the Rescue” is a music-filled adventure featuring more than a dozen characters from the hit animated preschool series. Coronado Performing Arts Center, Rockford, (815) 968-0595, coronadopac.org.

Ruby Harris and the Wave Runners Dec. 4, 2-3 p.m. Ruby Harris has been called the “King of the Blues Violin.” He has performed at sold-out concerts at The Metropolitan Opera House and Carnegie Hall in New York. Nordlof Center, J.R. Sullivan Theater, 118 N. Main St., Rockford, rockfordpubliclibrary.org.

Rockford Wind Ensemble Concert Dec. 4, 7 p.m. Now in its 15th season, Rockford Wind Ensemble has performed nearly 500 pieces in concert. Audiences have learned to expect historically significant works, outstanding soloists, and world premiers. Nordlof Center, J.R. Sullivan Theater, Rockford, (815) 227-8550, rockfordwindensemble.org.

King & Country Christmas Dec. 6, 7 p.m., doors 6 p.m. Soaring melodies, driving rhythms, theatrical instrumentation and personal themes are the heartbeat of King & Country’s music. BMO Harris Bank Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford, (815) 968-5222, thebmoharrisbankcenter.com. ❚

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Restaurant of the Week

Cannova’s Fine Italian Cuisine

By Paul Anthony Arco

C

annova’s has been serving up authentic Italian dishes and pizza since 1921, when Anthony and Philippina Cannova started the restaurant – a pizzeria in the back of the grocery store they ran at 607 E. Winneshiek St., in Freeport. After son Frank returned from World War II, he took over and moved Cannova’s to its current location in 1964.

Today, their granddaughter, Linda, and her husband, Patrick Beckman, carry on the tradition, at 1101 W. Empire St. They use many of Frank’s original recipes for pizza, spaghetti sauce, Italian beef, fresh bread and pizza dough. House specials include a Sicilian filet marinated in olive oil and red wine, Italian-style baked cod, and seafood Alfredo. Desserts include Linda’s made-fromscratch tiramisu, cheesecake and chocolate spoon cake.

“Cannova’s is a wonderful place,” Pat Beckman says. “It gives people a great place to go. It’s not overly expensive, and we have great food and great music.”

Then there are the pizzas: the Classic, with diced tomatoes, fresh basil, spinach and sweet basil; the New York, with olive oil on the crust, fresh garlic, mozzarella and diced tomatoes with a house cheese; the double-crusted Gloria Read, named for a longtime customer; and the a Sicilian, with sliced Italian sausage and pepperoncinis,

voted “best traditional pizza” by Pizza Today in 2001. Cannova’s Chicken Tuscany pizza earned a silver medal at the 2005 International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas.

The friendly rapPat and Linda Beckman port among staff and customers is another reason for the restaurant’s success. Many employees have worked there for 10 to 25 years. “This business is interesting because of all the people that you meet. Being in a smaller town like Freeport, you know everyone,” Beckman says.

“We have people who grew up working here and are still here. It’s fascinating to see the evolution of people. It’s like a family.”

Cannova’s is home to jazz quartets, folk musicians and musical theater groups throughout the year. For two weeks in December, it hosts a popular holiday dinner theater.

Cannova’s is open Sun.-Tues. 5-10 p.m. and Fri.-Sat. until 11 p.m. ❚ ❚

Top Picks for Local Restaurants

GreenFire EUpscale-Casual/American contemporary. Seasonal cuisine; local-sourced ingredients; gourmet market; 9 East Coffee E Casual/Coffeehouse. Specialty coffees, pas- live entertainment. 6795 E. Riverside Blvd., Rockford, (815) tries, breakfast, lunch. 9 E. Stephenson St., Freeport, (815) 316-3473. BkLD M-F 11am; Sat-Sun 8 am. Bar open late. $$.

233-7300, BkL M-F 7am-3pm, Sat 7am-2pm. $ JMK Nippon Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar E UpscaleArturo’s Mexican Restaurant E Casual/Authentic Mexican. Casual. Food cooked tableside. 2551 N. Perryville, Rockford, 107 W. Main St., Poplar Grove, Ill., (815) 765-1144. LD M 11am- (815) 877-0505. L T-F 11:30am-2pm, Sat to 2:30pm; D M-Th 8pm; T-Th to 9pm; F to 10pm; Sun noon-8pm. $.

5-9:30pm, F-Sat to 10:30pm, Sun 4:30-9:30pm. $$.

Bravo Pizza E Italian/American. 376 Prairie Hill Road, South Be- Local Dough Cafe E Restaurant/cafe. Baked goods, breakloit, Ill., (815) 624-7900. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat 11pm. $. fast, lunch, dinner, beer, wine. 202 W. Main St., Rockton, Cannova’s Italian Cuisine E Casual. 1101 W. Empire St., Free- (815) 957-0584. BkLD W-Sun 7 am-6 pm. $. port, (815) 233-0032. D T-Th, Sun 5-9pm; F-Sat 10pm. $-$$.

Main Street Meat Co E Deli/bakery. Quality meats, seafood, Costa’s Ristorante E Upscale-Casual/Italian. 133 Blackhawk café/bakery with catering services. 9515 N. 2nd St., Roscoe, (815) 623-6328. BkLD M-F 8 am-6:30 pm; Sat. 8 am-6 pm; Dr., Byron, Ill., (815) 234-4707. LD Daily 4pm. $-$$.

Sun. 9 am-5 pm. $.

Franchesco’s Ristorante E Upscale/Italian-American. Sommelier, live entertainment. 7128 Spring Creek Road, Rock- Mamma Mia’s E Casual/American. Pizza, pasta, sandwiches, wraps. 1139 N. Alpine Road, Rockford, (815) 399-6262. ford, (815) 229-0800. LD Sun-Th 4-9pm, F-Sat to 10pm. $$ LD M-Th 4-9pm, F 11am-10pm, Sat 4-10pm, Sun to 9pm. $$ Fresco at the Gardens. E Casual/American Café. Fresh, localsourced ingredients. 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, (815) Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint E Fine Dining. Ironworks Hotel, 500 Pleasant St., Beloit, (608) 313-0700. D Sun-Th 316-2256 BkL Daily 7am-3pm. $$ 4:30-9pm, Fri-Sat to 10pm. $$.

Giordano’s E Casual/Italian. Stuffed pizza, salads, entrees, sandwiches, desserts. 33 Executive Parkwy., Rockford, (815) Prairie Street Brewhouse E Upscale-Casual/American. 200 Prairie St., Rockford, (815) 277-9427. LD Sun-W 11am-10pm, 398-5700. LD Sun-Th 11 am-10 pm, F-Sat to 11 pm.

Th to midnight, F-Sat to 2am. $-$$.

Giovanni’s/Big Al’s Bar/Alchemy E Upscale-casual/American. Three dining rooms. 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford. Thrive Café E Casual/Cafe. Salads, wraps, sandwiches, (815) 398-6411. LD M-Th 11a.m.-10 pm, F to 11 pm, Sat 3-11 smoothies, cold-pressed juices. Inside Peak Fitness, 4401 Peak Drive, Loves Park, Ill. BkLD M-F 6am-8pm, Sat 8am-2pm. ❚ pm. Live entertainment, open late. $-$$.

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In the Spotlight Bravo Pizza

W

ith more than 40 years in the restaurant business, Joe Ocello knows how to create an authentic dining experience. Since opening the first Bravo Pizza & Italian Restaurant location in 2001 with wife Francesca, the couple has been refining its classic Italian fare.

Most items are made from scratch, ensuring a home-made meal with fresh ingredients. The Italian beef, served au jus or with tomato meat sauce, was named Best in the Stateline by MyStateline.com in 2013. Top sellers include Italian meatball sandwiches, fettucine Alfredo and fish specials.

“We make it all ourselves. Each meatball is about a quarter pound apiece, so they’re huge,” says Ocello.

Bravo has locations in South Beloit and Poplar Grove. Both offer a full-service bar, catering, carry-out and delivery services.

Learn more at Bravopizzarestaurant.com. ❚

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Y M

Tips for Keeping Holiday Spending in Check • Ignore the hype. Don’t fall for marketing campaigns that make you feel as if you’re getting a great deal when you’re really not (i.e. buy it today – pay for it tomorrow). Retailers love to make it sound like the greatest deals of the year. Sometimes that’s true, but other times it’s not really as great as it sounds.

• Don’t get caught up in the moment. If your shopping cart is overflowing, step back, regroup and make sure you can really afford everything you plan to purchase.

• Keep gift giving to a minimum.

There’s no shame in telling people that

this year will be a lean holiday season when it comes to exchanging gifts. For close friends and family, one to two gifts is fine. You don’t need to purchase everything in the store.

• Let logic be your guide. There are good deals to be had on Black Friday, but be mentally tough to know when enough is enough. Leave your emotions at home and let reason be your guide.

• Budget in advance. Allocate a certain amount of money for each person you plan on buying gifts for and don’t overspend by even a dollar. People think that a few dollars over budget is no

big deal, but a few dollars here and a few dollars there quickly adds up.

• Don’t pull out the plastic. Don’t even think of using a credit card unless you are 100 percent sure you can comfortably pay it off at the end of the month.

• Think of the future. Ask yourself if you would rather have the short-term satisfaction of expensive material possessions, or the long-term results of financial freedom and abundance.

• Learn from the past. Did you overspend last Black Friday or some other year? Remember how it set you back financially? Really revisit that pain and how miserable you felt before you head to the mall this year.

• Kids learn by example. The little ones are always watching. Even parents who have failed to reach their financial dreams can still teach their kids important lessons about money during the holiday season. ❚

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Caring For Our Fine Feathered Friends H

ave you ever wondered why wild birds need people to feed them?

“Because people have eradicated so much of the habitat birds once depended on for food,” explains Phil Rezin, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited, 631 S. Perryville Road, Rockford. “Birdfeeders help to compensate for that habitat loss.

Birds need a tremendous amount of calories each day to survive our cold winters.

A chickadee can lose 15 percent of its body weight on one cold night.”

Aim to provide the highest amount of nutrition and essential oils and beware food with too much filler. “There are mixes on the market in which 75 to 80 percent of it is inedible for most birds,” cautions Rezin. “That’s not a good value for your money.”

Avoid bird food containing wheat or grain products, flax or canary seed, he says. Look for mixes with a high content

of black oil or striped sunflower seeds, safflower seeds and pieces of peanuts or other natural nuts. To attract finches, put out niger thistle seeds. Suet is a good way to provide fat calories and is sure to attract woodpeckers.

“The more diverse your seed offering, the more kinds of birds you’ll attract,” says Rezin. It’s also beneficial to put out fresh or dried fruit like berries, in the deep of winter.

There’s an even bigger threat to birds than starvation. More wild birds perish from dehydration than hunger.

“When there’s snow on the ground, it seems to people as if birds have plenty of water available to them, but that’s not the case,” says Rezin. “It takes a lot of energy to turn solid snow to water. It’s very taxing to their energy reserves and isn’t a sustainable way for them to stay hydrated.”

(Photo by David C. Olson)

By Janine Pumilia

Black-capped chickadee

Flying long distances to find open water sources is also taxing for birds.

Heated birdbaths warm water just enough to keep it liquid and often attract more birds to your yard than a feeder does, Rezin says.

“Another important reason to provide a heated birdbath is to give them a place to wash their feathers. Clean feathers insulate a bird better than dirty ones.” ❚

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