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Save Smarter • Live Better • Rockford Region/Freeport 95¢ • Oct 28, 2015

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Right in Our Region

Spooktastic Halloween Parties By Rebecca Nunes

here’s more to Hallow’s Eve than pillowcases full of candy. If your plans don’t involve traipsing around your neighborhood demanding treats in lieu of tricks, you may be looking for options. Fortunately, Halloween falls on a Saturday this year. Three of Rockford’s premier venues

will be hosting unforgettable Halloween parties over the weekend. Giovanni’s Restaurant & Convention Center, Franchesco’s Ristorante and Rockford Brewing Company will each throw spooktastic parties complete with terriﬁc entertainment and several types of costume contests. Continued on p. 20

• Get All the SAVINGS You Deserve from Local Businesses

Easy Make-and-Take Dishes • Reduce Your Heating Bills • Fraud-Prevention Technologies Trick-or-Treat in Downtown Rockford • Understanding Bacteria & Viruses • This Week’s Fun Events

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In This Issue

Right in Our Region ........................Cover & p. 20 Three Huge Halloween Parties! Your Home .................................................. ..... 11 Change Your Furnace Filter Inspiration & Worship ......................................12 Who Was Joseph? Your Kitchen .....................................................15 Make-and-Take Dishes Your Outings ......................................................17 Trick or Treat in Downtown Rockford Your Health ............................................. .......... 25 All About Viruses and Bacteria Your Fun ................................................... ......... 27

Restaurant of the Week ................................... 29 Rockford Brewing Company Dining Locally .......................................... ........ 29

Tips ........................................................... ......... 31 Online Shopping Security Your Money .............................................. ......... 33 Fraud Prevention Technology

Smart L iving Weekly â&#x201E;˘

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes

Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Managing Editor Janine Pumilia Deputy Editor Sarah Soenke Assistant Editor Lindsey Gapen Senior Staff Writer/Promotions Coordinator Paul Anthony Arco Graphics Director Blake Nunes Graphic Designer Samantha Ryan Contributing Writers Rachel Shore, Peggy Werner General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes General Manager/Northwest Business Magazine Dave Marino Account Executives Brian Hughes, Kimberly Perkins Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes Website www.NWQSmartLiving.com Published by Hughes Media Corp. 222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104 Smart Living Weekly. Copyright 2015 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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Oct. 28

Evading Evil Spirits

t was great to see our gorgeous Coronado Performing Arts Center stage filled with the lively Rockford Symphony Orchestra and its amazing guest, the Cirque de la Soleil, last weekend. What a performance! And who knew the human body could bend in so many directions? Now, we’re looking ahead to another fun weekend, this one focused around All Saints Day on Sunday, when we remember beloved souls who’ve passed from the earth. The related All Hallows Eve, or Halloween tradition, the night before, is rooted in Celtic celebrations that morphed into a Christian feast under Roman rule. For many ancient people, the onset of a cold, dark, hunger-filled winter meant ample pickings for the Grim Reaper. Disguising oneself in costume, when leaving the safety of home, was a way to evade evil spirits. These days, Halloween is all about fattening up local retailers. U.S. spending for this holiday will top $6.9 billion this year, with the average American planning to spend $74 on decorations, candy, costumes and more, says the National Retail Federation (NFR). As always, we urge you to shop local and thereby keep the money in our local coffers. Halloween is second only to Christmas in its commercial heft. Expect to see lots of pint-sized Minions, Yodas and pretty pink princesses at your doorstep Oct. 31. As for adult costumes, witches top the list, along with Star Wars characters, animals, Batman and, go figure, Zombies. There’s also been a lot of chatter about Pizza Rat costumes this year, thanks to the viral You Tube video starring a rat who tugs a large slice of pizza down a New York City subway station staircase. Regular neighborhood Trick-or-Treating in Rockford will be celebrated from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31. Watch out for kiddies in the streets! But first, on Friday night, head downtown for some Halloween specials in stores and restaurants. Learn more on p. 17. Have a great week! ❚ Janine Pumilia Executive Editor Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Weekly

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Oct. 28

We’ re here , fo r yo u.

Area’s best in patient safety FHN Memorial Hospital was recently recognized for a second year for our patient safety record by the world’s largest independent, non-profit product-

We at FHN are committed to a safe patient experience, and are proud that

and service-testing organization. In their second U.S. study, in which safety scores were calculated for nearly 2,000 hospitals, only 6% nationwide – and only four hospitals in Illinois – earned a score

FHN Memorial Hospital, which scored higher than any other hospital close to the communities it serves.*

as high or higher as

It is our goal to offer our communities the best possible healthcare services we can provide, and recognition such as this confirms our commitment to your confidence in our processes and capabilities. Whether you need surgery, cancer treatment or other specialty care close to home, a hand in welcoming a new baby into your life, help in handling a chronic health condition, or emergency care,

choose the best in the area for patient safety: FHN.

For more information, visit www.fhn.org or call 1-877-6000-FHN (1-877-600-0346).

* Within a 50-mile radius of Freeport

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Save Money by Changing Furnace Filter By Peggy Werner

egularly changing the furnace filter is the single most important thing you can do to keep energy costs down, air quality high, and equipment working properly, says Don Howe, a technician with Pearson, 2415 20th St., Rockford. “When we show customers the dust and dirt build-up on filters and explain why it’s harmful, they usually understand,” he says. Howe recommends using a thinner, less expensive furnace filter and changing it more often. The thicker filters not only cost more, but make your furnace work harder to filter the air. Most homeowners should change the filter every three months, but in homes where there’s a lot of activity or residents suffer severe allergies, the filter may need to be changed as often as every month. Having pets, large families or indoor smoke, leaving doors and windows open, or living near a heavily wooded area can increase air particles.

The U.S. Department of Energy estimates an average of 5 to 15 percent energy cost savings can be realized when a home air filter is regularly changed. An excessively dirty filter decreases the furnace’s airflow and stresses the equipment, causing it to work harder and demand more energy, resulting in higher utility bills. Excessive dirt and dust also damages equipment and causes it to fail sooner, requiring money to be spent on repairs, service, parts and labor. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the air inside the average American household is up to five times more polluted than the air outside. There are various types of filters and they are all given a Minimum Efficiency Rating Value (MERV), which is a numerical value from 1 to 20, (lowest to highest efficiency) allowing customers to compare brands of filters. For home use, filters given a MERV

rating of 8 to 11 are most efficient. A MERV 11 filter offers the highest efficiency level and filters an average of 95 percent of indoor home air pollutants. Information partly from www. pearsonguy.com. For nearly 60 years Pearson has provided quality and friendly service to the Northern Illinois area. Pearson offer’s Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning, Pest Control, Remodeling services and more. Call us at 815-3988312, or visit us at www.PearsonGuy. com or on Facebook. ❚

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Who Was Joseph? Scriptures: Genesis chapters 37-50.

oseph may be best known in our day for the musical associated with him: “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” The Bible really does tell of the colorful coat Joseph’s doting father, Jacob, gave to his favorite son. You may recall that Jacob had two sons with his beloved second wife, Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin. So how did a much-loved boy who lived in Canaan end up as an Egyptian slave? His 10 jealous older half-brothers sold Joseph to an Egyptian traveling salesman who passed through Canaan. We can only imagine how terrified young Joseph was, to be separated from his tent-dwelling family and carried off to strange, bustling Egypt, where huge temples had been built for idol worship. But Joseph drew strength from the faith taught to him by his father. He behaved well and found favor with Pharaoh himself, by interpreting his dreams. One dream informed Pharaoh there would be seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. Pharaoh placed Joseph in charge of the storehouses of Egypt and Joseph wisely managed the food supply so that, when famine struck, enough food was available to feed the people. Joseph charged money for the food, until the hungry people had sold everything they had to Pharaoh – money, land and even their freedom. Some 20 years after he’d been sold into slavery, Joseph found that his 10 half brothers had come to Egypt, desperate to buy food and take it back to their families in Canaan. Joseph tested them, to determine if they’d grown into better men, then warmly welcomed them and relocated his entire family and their flocks to Egypt. They set up a home in Goshen, a fertile area fed by the Nile River. This is how the Hebrew people (some say Hebrew means “from Beyond the River”) came to live in Egypt. They bcame the nation called Israel, fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham, who was Joseph’s great grandfather. This is the 6th in a series about major figures of the Bible. Sign up for a free, digital weekly edition of Smart Living Weekly at NWQSmartLiving.com. ❚

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Easy Make-and-Take Dishes Party Meatballs

1 Tb. butter 1/2 cup red onion, grated 1 pound pork sausage 1 pound ground beef 2 cups panko bread crumbs 1 cup Musselman’s Apple Butter 1/4 cup sour cream 2 eggs 2 tsp. salt 1 tsp. black pepper 1 tsp. allspice 1/2 cup beef broth 2 Tb. honey 1-2 dashes of cayenne pepper

Directions: Heat oven to 400 F and line large-rimmed baking sheet with foil. In skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add grated onions and saute for 3-4 minutes, until soft. In large bowl, mix sausage, ground beef, bread crumbs, 1/2 cup apple butter, sour cream, eggs, salt, pepper and allspice. Add onion, once it cools. Use

hands to mix well until evenly combined. Measure one-ounce portions. Roll tight balls and place them on baking sheet, close together, but not touching. Bake for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, mix remaining apple butter with beef broth, honey and 1-2 dashes of cayenne pepper. Whisk well. Remove meatballs from oven. Pour sauce over top, making sure to cover each meatball, and place back in oven for 5-7 minutes. Once cooked through, shake baking sheet a little to loosen meatballs and serve warm.

Cinnamon Oatmeal Bars 1 cup ﬂour 1 cup old-fashioned oatmeal 3/4 cup light brown sugar 1/4 tsp. salt 8 Tb. butter, melted 1 cup Musselman’s Apple Butter

Directions: Heat oven to 350 F. Coat 8-by-8-inch

baking pan with vegetable cooking spray. Line with heavy-duty foil, leaving overhang on two sides to facilitate removal of bars from pan. Coat foil with cooking spray. In medium bowl mix ﬂour, oatmeal, sugar and salt. With fork, stir in butter until well mixed and clumps form, then spread half the oatmeal mixture over foiled pan bottom, pressing to form a thin crust. Spread apple butter over crust, then sprinkle remaining oatmeal mixture on top. Bake until crisp and golden brown, 30-40 minutes. Cool to room temperature. Use foil “handles” to remove bars from pan. ❚ Source: Family Features

Fine Oils, Vinegars, & Now Spices!

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May not be combined with other offers. Exp. 11/11/15

Oct. 28

Mary McNamara Bernsten Forest Preserves of Winnebago County Commissioner Spending time with family and friends, beautiful views, crisp air hikes and taking in the changing colors are highlights of the fall season. In the Rockford region, you’ll be In Good Company as you explore 42 forest preserves chock-full with 10,000 acres of adventure or hike along or kayak on one of our four rivers. Add in Rock Cut State Park’s trails and vistas and the region’s endless areas of open and protected lands, and you’re sure to have fun this fall. To help you plan your “Fall into Fun” getaway, check out gorockford.com/fall. There, you’ll find ideas for your getaway, including the best places to see fall colors and information on special seasonal events. Smart Living Weekly Oct. 28| #gorockford 16 gorockford.com | @gorockford

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Downtown Treats & Trick-or-Treat Hours A

ll dressed up with no place to go? A fun-filled, family-friendly Trickor-Treat evening in downtown Rockford will take place Friday, Oct. 30, from 4-8 p.m., sponsored by Shop Downtown Rockford and the River District Association. Put on your costumes and come downtown for an evening of strolling the blocks while visitin g restaurants, shops and galleries, some of which are giving away treats. You’ll know which ones are participating because they’ll display pumpkin posters in their front windows. The retail shops and restaurants that make downtown Rockford so special will be ready to welcome ghosts and witches of all kinds. Children should be accompanied by a parent or guardians at all times. Many of the downtown’s restaurants offer seasonal menus that celebrate the bounty of local farmers in this harvest season.

Trick or Treat Hours

Regular neighborhood Trick-or-Treating in Rockford will be celebrated from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31. The city offers families the following safety tips: • Children shouldn’t go out alone. • It’s best to visit neighborhoods where you already know the neighbors. • Stay in well-lit areas and watch out for cars. • Make sure costumes are non-flammable, easy to walk in and allow for good vision; adding fun glow-in-the-dark stickers or reflectors is a good idea. • Participating residents should leave on their outside lights. • Motorists should be extra careful

while driving. • Be careful when carving pumpkins and don’t leave candle-lit pumpkins where people are walking. • Consider getting friends and neighbors together by hosting your own party. Have fun! ❚

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BOOtiful Savings Prices valid through 11/4/15

Open 24 hours on the web

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On Sale

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THERE’S NO CREDIT CHECK YOU PAY AS YOU GO PAY IN PERSON, BY PHONE OR ONLINE

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Thank You, Rockford, for Voting Us

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Mon & Fri 10am-8pm | Tues-Thur 10am-7pm Sat 10am-6pm | Sun 12-5pm

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GUSTAFSON'S FURNITURE & MATTRESS I N

UPHOLSTERY: BEST: PWR LIFT 1AW21-20029 WAS 1049 NOW 575 ULTRA COMFORT PWR LIFT C HAIR/RECL PL340 WAS 989 NOW 599

S T O R E

UPHOLSTERY SETS:

ENGLAND STORAGE OTTOMAN 4530 WAS 659 NOW 299 ENGLAND OTTOMAN 5637 WAS 489 NOW 199 NATUZZI SOFA B61900920 WAS 2765 NOW 1799 UPHOLSTERY SETS: HGTV 2544-62, 2570-55 SOFA BROYHILL 4231 SECTIONAL AND OTTOMAN WAS 2029 NOW 1699 WAS 2439 NOW 1499 ASHLEY CHAIR 6400221 ENGLAND LOVESEAT 6206AL WAS 479 NOW 250 WAS 1919 NOW 750 ENGLAND SECTIONAL 1W00 HGTV 2542-52 STUDIO SOFA WAS 2180 NOW 1299 WAS 1369 NOW 550 BEST WINGBACK CHAIR 0660DC-1 HGTV 2560-02 GEMSTONE WAS 599 NOW 375 ACCENT CHAIR ASHLEY SECTIONAL 7070 WAS 1169 NOW 675 WAS 1400 NOW 725 KINCAID CHAIR 167-84 ENGLAND SOFA/LOVESEAT WAS 959 NOW 350 6205AL,6206AL BASSETT CHAIR 3977-12FC WAS 3200 NOW 2400 WAS 799 NOW 399 ASHLEY RECLINING SECTIONAL 1080 BASSETT CHAIR 3999-12FC WAS 3250 NOW 2400 WAS 899 NOW 499 ASHLEY OTTOMAN 8670208 KINCAID CHAIR 625-84 WAS 329 NOW 199 WAS 1629 NOW 899 ENGLAND OTTOMAN 2407R ENGLAND CHAISE 1L00-80 WAS 459 NOW 199 WAS 939 NOW 499

C L A S S I F I E D BASSETT CHAIR 1019-02-LINEN WAS 929 NOW 525

WOOD PRODUCTS:

BASSETT COCKTAIL TABLE 6767-0613 WAS 699 NOW 299 ASHLEY T600-13 ENDTABLES(PAIR) WAS 750 NOW 315 BASSETT DRESSER/MIRROR 2767-0242/0237 WAS 1869 NOW 750 ASHLEY T720 COCKTAIL TABLE W/1 END TABLE NOW 399 ASHLEY 3PK TABLES T165-13 WAS 299 NOW 199 ASHLEY 3PK TABLES T231-13 WAS 299 NOW 199 ASHLEY 3PK TABLES T269-13 WAS 299 NOW 199 ASHLEY 3PK TABLES T140-13 WAS 319 NOW 199 ASHLEY 3PK TABLES T142-13 WAS 305 NOW 199 BROYHILL SOFA TABLE 4812-009 WAS 549 NOW 299

ULTRA COMFORT

LIFT CHAIR

298

588

ENGLAND 3PK TABLES H279221/201 WAS 1369 NOW 799 ASHLEY CHEST B429-46 WAS 679 NOW 399 ASHLEY END TABLE T845-3 WAS 429 NOW 175 ASHLEY YOUTH GIRLS NIGHTSTAND WAS 199 NOW 75 ASHLEY NIGHTSTAND B697-92 WAS 499 NOW 195 ASHLEY NIGHTSTAND B246-92 WAS 589 NOW 175 BROYHILL END TABLE 4986-0000 WAS 409 NOW 95 BROYHILL ENDTABLE 4310-002 WAS 369 NOW 125 ASHLEY SOFA TABLE T697-4 WAS 649 NOW 350 ASHLEY DRESSER B562-31 WAS 569 NOW 299 PRIMO FUTON FRAME 2814 WAS 620 NOW 250 FASHION TWIN PLATFORM FRAME B51093 WAS 319 NOW 195 BROYHILL QUEEN STORAGE BED 4444-450 WAS 1500 NOW 599

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GUSTAFSON FURNITURE • 808 W. Riverside, Rockford, IL • 815.636.8608 • www.gustafsonfurniture.com

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Halloween Bashes Continued from Cover

Remember that guests must be age 21 or older to attend the Halloween parties. All ages are welcome in the dining areas of these restaurants.

Friday, Oct. 30, Boo Bash

Giovanni’s will partner with Luxe Productions on Friday, Oct. 30, for its annual Boo Bash, with doors opening at 9 p.m. The evening will include a performance by one of the best-known DJs in the U.S., Jamie Jordan, the personal DJ of Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher. “This DJ is fantastic,” says Chef Al Castrogiovanni, co-owner of Giovanni’s and Alchemy. “He travels all over the country and really knows how to give people a good time.” Jordan has worked alongside talents like Hootie & The Blowfish, Steve Aoki and Waka Flocka.

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Castrogiovanni takes pride in the way the Boo Bash has developed under his leadership, since he came home to Rockford 12 years ago. “We’ve taken it to the next level and it’s an amazing event,” he says. “People will walk through a Haunted Hall on their way into the party. It’s over the top.” You can put your costume to the test in competitions for sexiest, group and duo categories. A booty of $2,000 in cash and prizes awaits. And make sure your costume includes dancing shoes, because there’s a special prize for the evening’s dance off, too. Before the party, you can stop in at Alchemy, where tasty artisan dishes are served until 11 p.m. Among seasonal Chef’s Features are Butternut Squash Pumpkin Bisque and Chili Mac. Private areas, with cocktailing and bottle service, can be reserved at the Boo Bash by calling (815) 398-6411. Tickets are $10 at the door and $7 if preordered at giodine.com/boobash/.

Oct. 28

Saturday, Oct. 31, Halloween Party

Franchesco’s Ristorante will host its seventh annual Halloween Party, presented by Death’s Door Spirits, Miller Lite and JL Productions, on Saturday, Oct. 31, with doors opening at 9 p.m. Celebrity guests Steve Shannon and Aaron Wilson will get the party rolling. The elaborately decorated venue is usually packed with a thousand or more costumed guests. “It’s a happening place to be, the place is packed, the vibe is awesome, and the costumes are always hilarious,” says Michelle Lamay, general manager. “People always go above and beyond.” This year’s entertainment is provided by wildly popular Chicago performer DJ Dolo, an open format DJ with more than 12 years of experience playing at the hottest clubs across the country; he has residencies in Chicago at Studio Paris, Boardroom, Sub 51 and Roof. DJ Aaron Hodge, a Rockford local

R  O R who now plays throughout Chicagoland, will be a special guest. A favorite feature at this party is the limited VIP bottle service, which includes a private waitress and your own private area, as well as VIP entry. At least $1,500 in prizes for scariest, sexiest and best group costumes will be given out, with $1,000 to Best Overall. Stop into the Franchesco’s dining room before the party, for delicious pasta, pizza, sandwiches or entrees. The kitchen is open until 10 p.m. The party cover charge is $10. Call (815) 229-0800 for bottle service/table reservations. Learn more at franchescos. com/events/.

Saturday, Oct. 31 Hoppy Halloween

Rockford Brewing Company (RBC) will host its annual spooktastic Hoppy Halloween party on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. “What’s better than celebrating

Halloween in a building that’s more than 100 years old, that some claim is haunted?” says Reed Sjostrom, RBC co-owner. Miles Nielson and the Rusted Hearts will play two sets, beginning at 9 p.m.; the first will include classic Miles Nielson tunes and the second will include an epic Halloween surprise, with DJ Jordan taking over afterward. Prizes and $500 in cash will be given out to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place costume winners. Luxe productions will provide a DJ, sound and lighting. “On top of that, you’ll have great decorations, the best beer in town, spooky Halloween drink specials, two floors of Halloween mayhem and great music and lights provide by Luxe productions,” says Sjostrom. In addition to RBC favorite brews

like Screw City Light and Petritz Pale Ale, RBC will debut its new Sweet Potato Pie beer. A snacks party menu will be available. There’s a cover charge of $5. Learn more at rockfordbrewingco.com/events/. “Hoppy Halloween is going to be the place to be,” adds Sjostrom. “You won’t want to miss it!” ❚

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Experience Downtown Rockford

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Oct. 28

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Viruses & Bacteria: The Culprits Behind Infection By Craig Schmidt

n occasional sore throat or earache is bad enough, but what if stabbing throat and ear pain occurs repeatedly? Sore throats and earaches are symptoms of an array of medical disorders. The ears and throat are anatomically connected via the Eustachian tube, which makes them susceptible to infection. Viruses and bacteria are the culprits behind infections. The most important difference between viruses and bacteria is that bacteria respond well to antibiotic treatment, while viruses do not. Antibiotics sometimes fail to do their job, and the infections may return again and again because of the person’s anatomy, environmental exposures or activities. Millions of children are evaluated yearly for enlarged tonsils – grape-sized pieces of tissue in the back of the throat on each side – and adenoids – small pads of tissue at the back of the nose above the throat. Infected tonsils can cause

frequent sore throats, difficulty swallowing and bad breath. Infected adenoids contribute to ear infections and breathing trouble. Enlarged tonsils or adenoids are associated with snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. They’re usually removed if the swelling interferes with breathing or swallowing. In children, tonsils and adenoids are often removed at the same time. Otolaryngologists (ear, nose and throat doctors) use special instruments to cut the tissue in order to remove the tonsils and adenoids. The surrounding blood vessels are then sealed to control bleeding. Thanks to antibiotics, the number of tonsillectomies in the U.S. has declined progressively since the 1970s. Adults become just as sick from inflamed tonsils as kids, and it’s not unusual for an adult to require a tonsillectomy.

If your surgeon recommends removal of the tonsils, be assured that the surgery can be done safely and effectively as an outpatient procedure. ❚ Source: Rockford Ambulatory Surgical Center

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

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Build a Glass Oct. 28, 5:30-7:30. Build a polymer clay fall leaves wine glass – the perfect glass for enjoying wine on a cool fall evening. All materials will be provided. Ages 18+. $30. 317 Studio and Gallery, 317 Market St., Rockford, (815) 315-7000, 317studiogallery. com. Horrors! Oct. 28, 6 p.m. Join Paul Dale Anderson, Rockford’s very own creep-tastic author, as he talks about his writing followed by a screening of the movie “Psycho.” Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 9657606, rockfordpubliclibrary.org.

Celebrate the Day of the Dead on Nov. 1 at Ethnic Heritage Museum.

pop and singer-songwriter gems. Verdi Club, 782 N. Madison St., Rockford, (815) 968-8110, theverdiclub.com.

Why Do Songs Have Bridges? Oct. 29, 7 p.m. Dr. Bruno, an award-winning music critic, explores the history and role of “the bridge” as an element of song form, and how prevalence in genres from 1930s jazz and 1960s rock to recent chart hits distinguishes the American popular song from other musical forms. Tickets required, but free of charge. Fisher Chapel, Rockford University, 5050 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 226-4100, Rockford. edu/artslectures/performingartsseason/

Rockford Dance Company: “Dracula” Oct. 30-31. Based on the classic tale, “Dracula” tells a story of love, loss and revenge. The Nordlof Center, Rockford, (815) 963-3341, rockforddancecompany.com.

Spooky Science Oct. 30, 6-9 p.m. Come in costume for this nonscary night of Halloween fun. Trick-or-treat in exhibit spaces, concoct glowing slime, experiment under black light and make monstrous crafts. $3 members/$9 public. Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 963-6769, discoverycentermuseum.org. KSO: Halloween Concert Oct. 30, 5:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. Free music concert with trick-or-treating in the building a half-hour before the 5:30 p.m. show. NIU Boutell Concert Hall, 550 Lucinda Ave., DeKalb, (815) 756-3728, kishorchestra.org. “Next To Normal” Oct. 30-Nov. 1. “Next To Normal,” with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt, explores how one suburban household copes with crises and mental illness. $12. Rockford University, Cheek Theater, 5050 E. State St., Rockford, (309) 287-2660, ticketor. com/gatewayperformingartsstudio. Two of Us Oct. 30, 8 p.m.-midnight. This acoustic music duo will bring their unique blend of rock, Tell them you saw it in ...

The Rocky Horror Show Oct. 30-31, 12 a.m. A Usual Suspects Production presents Richard O’Brien’s “The Rocky Horror Show” live at Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main, St., Rockford, (815) 965-7606, rockfordpublibrary. org. Tickets available at rockyrockford.com. 317 Studio and Gallery: Palette Party Oct. 31, 1-3:30 p.m. Calling all 12+ teens for a painting class. No experience necessary. $28. 317 Studio and Gallery, Rockford, (815) 315-7000, 317studiogallery.com. Day of the Dead Workshop Nov. 1, 2-4 p.m. Enjoy a free workshop involving face painting, skull painting and ﬂower altar decorating. Ethnic Heritage Museum, 1129 S. Main St., Rockford, (815) 962-7402, ethnicheritagemuseum.org. Day of the Dead Ceremony and Program Nov. 2, 5-7 p.m. Bring photos of deceased loved ones, along with their favorite items, and food for the community altar. Ethnic Heritage Museum, (815) 962-7402, ethnicheritagemuseum.org. Classic Film Series: Elizabeth Taylor Nov. 4, 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Watch “The Sandpiper” in which Taylor plays a free-spirited beatnik artist and single mother. $5. Lindo Theatre, 115 S. Chicago Ave., Freeport, (815) 233-0025. ❚

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October 28

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Oct. 28

WDL

Restaurant of the Week

Rockford Brewing Co. T

he Rockford Brewing Co., 200 Prairie St., Rockford, serves up delicious food, great beer, and a view of the Rock River. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner seven days a week, with a rotating line-up of 16 craft beers on tap, all brewed on-site. The restaurant and brewery are located inside the 85,000-square-foot Prairie Street Brewhouse, a multi-use venue that was home to the original Rockford Brewing Co., which operated from 1849-1939. The brewery is a backdrop to the bar, which is made of reclaimed materials from the 1849 building. Restaurant decor features exposed original brick and ductwork. “It’s a mix of old and new, and people like the natural look of the original building, with the warmth of wood,” says Chris Manuel, vice president of Rockford Brewing Co., and co-owner of the business with Reed Sjostrom and Dustin Koch.

Top Picks for Local Restaurants 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. $-$$. Ciao Bella Ristorante E Upscale-Casual/Italian-American. Extensive wine list; daily specials. 6500 E. Riverside, Loves Park, (815) 654-9900. LD M-F 11am-9pm, Sat 5-9pm. $$. Costa’s Ristorante E Upscale-Casual. 133 Blackhawk Dr., Byron, Ill., (815) 234-4707. Open daily 4pm. $-$$. Dos Reales E Casual/Mexican. Authentic Mexican fare, lunch menu. 5855 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 227-4979. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 10:30pm. $-$$. Ebeneezer Brown Eatery & Pub E Casual. American classics. 4866 Bluestem Road, Roscoe; (815) 270-1213. LD Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-12 a.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. $-$$. Giordano’s Famous Stuffed Pizza E Casual/Italian. Pick-up/ delivery. 333 Executive Pkwy., Rockford, Ill. (815) 398-5700. LD Sun-Th 9am-11p.m; F-Sat to midnight. $. JMK Nippon Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar E UpscaleCasual. Food cooked tableside. 2551 N. Perryville, Rockford, (815) 877-0505. L T-F 11:30am-2pm, Sat 2:30pm; D M-Th 5-9:30pm, F-Sat 10:30pm, Sun 4:30-9:30pm. $$. Main Street Bistro E Upscale-Casual/Fine dining. Th&Sat.

The menu features daily specials, and appetizers such as shrimp & avocado ceviche, truffle fries, a hummus plate and Poutine, made with Yukon gold fries, screw city light braised pork belly, cheese curds and her- Reed Sjostrom, Chris Manuel and Dustin Koch. bed bacon gravy. “Handhelds” are sandwiches like pulled curried cauliflower and peas and cucumber pork, screw city light corned beef, turkey mint yogurt. For dessert, there’s a root beer club, and a BLT, which can be served with float, pie in a pint, cheesecake of the day or a half-pound beef patty, cherrywood bacon, crème brûlée. and/or duck bacon. In addition, there are This summer, Dinner on the Dock will soups and salads, sides like house-made be offered each Thursday from 5-10 p.m., chips with sea salt and build-your-own piz- with a special sandwich menu and live zas. music from 6-9 p.m. Entrées include fish and chips, MediRockford Brewing Co. is open Sun.terranean beer chicken, ribeye steak, black- Wed., 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Thurs. to midnight; ened bone-in pork chop, and Grilled Jail and Fri.-Sat. to 2 a.m. For reservations, call Island Salmon, served with coconut rice, (815) 227-9427. ❚

In the Spotlight 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. $-$$. Sisters Thai Café E Casual/Thai-Laotian. Authentic cuisine. In Clock Tower Resort, 7801 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 2294545. L M-Sat 11am-2:30pm; D Sun-Th 5-9pm, Sat 10pm. $. Tavern on Clark E Casual/American. 755 Clark Ave., Rockford, (815) 708-7088. LD daily 10am. $-$$. This Is It Eatery E Casual/American. 16 N. Chicago Ave., Freeport, (815) 616-5449. LD T-Th 11am-8pm, F-Sat 10pm. $. Vito’s Ristorante E Casual/Authentic Italian. 1620 N. Bell School Rd., Rockford, (815) 312-5080. LD T-Sat 11am. $$. ❚

Cannova’s

annova’s has been serving up authentic Italian dishes and pizza since Anthony and Philippina Cannova started the restaurant 1921. Today, their granddaughter, Linda, and her husband, Patrick Beckman, carry on the tradition, at 1101 W. Empire St. They use many 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. Linda’s made-from-scratch desserts include tiramisu, cheesecake and chocolate spoon cake. Then there are the award-winning pizzas: the Classic; the New York; the double-crusted Gloria Read, named for a longtime customer; and the Sicilian. Cannova’s is open Sun.-Tues. 5-10 p.m. and Fri.-Sat. until 11 p.m. ❚

Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Weekly

Oct. 28

(Blake Nunes photo)

By Peggy Werner

Get In Quicker Convenient Care and Emergency Department Scheduling

RHSInQuicker.org

GO TO:

You can reserve your spot at one of four Convenient Care locations or the Rockford Memorial Hospital Emergency Department.  Fill out the online form.  Wait in the comfort of your home.  Arrive at your projected treatment time.

ROCKFORD HEALTH PHYSICIANS CONVENIENT CARE Rockford – 3401 N. Perryville Road M-F: 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. • Sat-Sun: Noon to 8 p.m. Rockford – 2300 N. Rockton Avenue M-F: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. • Sat: 8 a.m. to noon

Belvidere – 1747 Henry Luckow Lane M-F: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. • Sat: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Roscoe – 5000 Prairie Rose Drive M-Th: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. • Sun: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

EMERGENCY CARE - 24/7 Rockford Memorial Hospital Emergency Department • 2400 N. Rockton Avenue

If you have a life-threatening emergency, call 911.

Smart Living Weekly

Oct. 28

T  I

Security Tips

While online shopping, observe these safety precautions from the Better Business Bureau. 1. If you’re using a connection that is not your own, make sure the connection is protected by a unique password. If the Wi-Fi hotspot doesn’t ask for a password, the Internet connection is not secure. If a hotspot asks for a password just to grant access, proceed as if the connection were unsecured. Wi-Fi hotspot connections with generic passwords are vulnerable to hackers. 2. Make sure the website is fully encrypted and the network is secure when sending personal information like addresses, credit card numbers and Social Security numbers over the Internet. Look for https (the “s” stands for secure) at the beginning of the URL address to confirm its security. 3. Change your passwords frequently. When creating new accounts, make sure you use different passowrds and don’t use the same password for different sites. ❚

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

2.89%

3.70%

3.63%

$976.56

$655.90

$661.24

3.27%

4.24%

4.66%

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 Oct. 26, 2015) 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.

Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Weekly

Oct. 28

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Smart Living Weekly

Oct. 28

Y M

How Technology Can Help to Prevent Fraud D ata theft has become an issue that affects the lives of nearly everyone in the U.S. Consumer credit card transactions should be much more secure, but they continue to lag behind the rest of the world in security. In October 2014, President Barack Obama issued an Executive Order calling for all government-issued payment cards to be equipped with chip and PIN technology. However, the big banks that issue major cards, as well as credit unions and other financial institutions, have not taken similar steps to protect their customers. Instead, they’re replacing existing magnetic stripe cards with microchip-equipped cards that still rely on unsecure signatures as a form of verification. “While it’s a small step in the right direction, they are consciously failing to protect their customers by not offering all of the available security measures,” says

Debra Berlyn, leader of ProtectMyData, a consumer education campaign advocating for the implementation of chip and PIN technology for credit and debit cards. “The PIN is a necessary element of the equation to protect consumers. It adds a distinct layer of security and complexity to each transaction that dramatically reduces fraud.” Financial information stored on existing payment cards’ magnetic stripes can be easily cloned and used to make counterfeit cards. What’s more, the signatures can be easily forged and are rarely ever used to verify the identity of someone making a transaction. Chip and PIN cards are considerably more secure. First, an embedded microchip encrypts each transaction at point of sale and then requires a unique four-digit code to be entered to complete the transaction, similar to withdrawing money from the ATM. The microchip

coupled with the PIN make tampering and counterfeiting the cards, along with stealing financial data, nearly impossible. The combination of chip and PIN clearly provides consumers in the U.S. the security they deserve. Now, it’s time for the banks and credit card companies to issue cards outfitted with this new technology. ❚

Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Weekly

Oct. 28

Smart Living Weekly

Oct. 28

ÂŽ

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thE faBulous fall salE

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*See Decorator for details. Offer valid on Eddie Zâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Premiere and Select brands only. Offer not valid on previous orders and cannot be combined with other promotions. Sale Ends 11/28/15.

Smart Living Weekly

Issue 1