Smart Living Weekly - May 11, 2016

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Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • Rockford Region/Beloit/Freeport 95¢ • May 11, 2016

™

Right in Our Region

Ski Broncs Dazzle with Athletic Feats

By Lindsey Gapen, assistant editor

I

magine “Cirque du Solei” on the water, pulled by 2,000 horsepower, and you’ve got the right image of the Ski Broncs.

Incorporated in 1967, The Ski Broncs perform free, family-friendly, full-production water ski shows every Wednesday and Friday night from May 27 through Aug. 19.

Shows begin at 7 p.m. at Shorewood Park, 235 Evelyn Ave., Loves Park, Ill. The talented skiers use water, beach and stage to entertain fans in bleacher or lawn seating. Performers are in full costume, an announcer guides the audience’s attention, and there is music and comedy throughout each show.

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! Is Your Mower Blade Sharp? • Dining at Fresco • Better Vein Health Your Healthy Lawn • Prairie Plants Up Close • Grooming Fido

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The Yard Care Experts

MOWING FERTILIZING HYDROSEEDING Call Today for a Free Estimate

815.877.3500 EwaldServices.com

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In This Issue Right in Our Region ........................ Cover & p. 22 Ski Broncs!

Your Home .................................................. ...... 11 Is Your Lawn Mower Blade Sharp?

Inspiration & Worship .......................................12 Weeds & Seeds Your Kitchen ......................................................15 How to Put More Fruits & Veggies in Your Diet Outdoor Living ................................................. 17 The Right Tools for the Job Your Health ............................................. .......... 25 Treatment for Varicose Veins Your Fun ................................................... ......... 27 Your Outing ....................................................... 29 Learn About Flowers with Wild Ones

Dining Locally .......................................... ........ 29 Your Pet ........................................................... 33 Fido Needs Grooming

Smart L iving Weekly ™

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes

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

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

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

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Riches Aplenty G athering with friends and family at Shorewood Park to watch the Ski Broncs perform is one of those simple pleasures you can’t really put a price on.

This was part of my childhood when I grew up in Loves Park and, years later, I took my own kids to enjoy the spectacle.

Before the show, we’d sometimes walk down the bike path and wander onto the boardwalks of the wildlife observation area just south of Shorewood, where we always found some kind of interesting critter to watch. The Ski Broncs have always had a good friend in Rockford Park District, and so have all of us who live here.

I wonder how many thousands of hours each of us local folks spend, over the course of a lifetime, enjoying something the park district has made possible.

Anyone who thinks there’s not much to do in this town is just plain wrong, and our park district has so much to do with the many riches we own together. Along with the things it directly owns and maintains – the golf courses, playgrounds, swimming pools, horses, skating rinks, gardens, Forest City Queen, Nicholas Conservatory, Magic Waters, Sinnissippi Band Shell etc. … there are the organizations it partners with, making it easier for them to do their things – community centers, astronomy clubs, museums, our Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, assorted camps and lots of sports teams, including the IceHogs and the Ski Broncs.

Our park district operates with a spirit of generosity toward other entities rather than the “jealous suspicion” with which some local public bodies regard one another.

It’s as if the park district folks actually remember they’re working for us, the taxpayers, and they know that maximizing efficiency means playing nice with others. How refreshing.

Get out and enjoy all the riches we own together! ■ Janine Pumilia Executive Editor Tell themyou yousaw saw it in Tell them in ... ... Smart Living Weekly

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Y YH HG G

Is Your Mower Blade SharpforYour Enough?

Lighting Gallery Offers ‘Jewelry the Home’ An Organized Home Decreases Stress ByPeggy Werner BByy LJi anndisneey PGuamp iel ina , m a n a g i n g e d i t o r “Crystal is making comeback,” roper plays anbegan important role healthy perfectly manicured henlighting Joeand Weller installing “Many people aarebig using fewer or McGinty says.

“It’s not your grandmothinlawn the aesthetics of a home.

In fact, begins with a sharp lawn closet systems more than 30 years no dressers in their bedrooms and are er’s crystalinstead chandelier anymore – we’re mower blade. lighting department manager ago, options were pretty limited.Michael choosing to maximize their closet Withfrom theI right tools and lot of contemporary pieces that McGinty Benson Co., know1100in seeing “When started inStone this some business space,”a Weller explains. how, you can do it yourself.

Otherwise, 1985, most everything was shelf and pole I’ll call While some peopleIt’sgonotsoa heavy far as ‘lightly dressed.’

Eleventh St., Rockford, refers to lighting save your time and frustration have crystal construction closet designandwasn’t to convert luxuripiece,spare but itbedrooms has a littleinto accent of as “jewelry forand the home.” a professional sharpen lawn mower crystal talked about has ous walk-in on it.” closets, others double or “You canmuch. spendThat ayour lot ofchanged,” money blade.the owner of Shelving & Bath says triple efficiency their reach-in Andthe there are otherof trends. on paint, flooring, cabinets and furni“A sharp4337 bladeS.will give yourRoad, lawn Unlimited, Perryville closets by having them “On the opposite side professionally of the specture, but if your home is poorly lit, it that beautiful look and keep Cherry Valley, manicured Ill. designed. Either way, it’s the design trum, people are choosing the reclaimed will never look its best,” McGinty says. the blades grass80 from weakening and Today,of almost percent of Weller’s expertise offered by Shelving Unlimited urban-warehouse style,” says store owner “Proper lighting is essential for asays beautibeing susceptible to disease,” Tim customers opt for custom laminate that makes it possible to meet organizaBenson. “You’ll see a lot of these ful and functional home.”

Kinney, Manager of look Lincoln closet systems that like Rent-All finished Andy tion goals. a more industrial members at Benson and Staff Sales at two locations in Stone Rockford; wood cabinets.

Along with more thanCo. 50 Edison-style “It’s allbulbs aboutforgood design,” says look.” can assist you in picking out the proper 6635 E. Riverside Blvd. and at 3110 melamine colors and textures, there are Weller. “You can have the largest Taj pushBenson lawn mower, stabilize it and Stone in Co.’s showroom is Auburn St. your lighting for home. The expansive also options for granite surfaces, glass Mahal-type closet the world, butloosen if it’s the bolt.

To sharpen the blade, use a hand The business sells and services Toro, organized around the style and finish of new lighting department the lighting fourth shelves, motion-activ atedon LED not functioning well it can become one file,fixture. especially if you aresizes inexperienced.

Boy andlights Snapper lawn and –Lawn evenshowcases LED inside themowers drawers if the more mess Lights to deal Good organizaofwith. all and price floor chandeliers, pendant Grinders also work, but are morefrustradiffiwill pick up any lawn mower and deliver you like – built-in mirrors, tion saves you time and prevents ranges are available. lights, wall sconces, floor jewelry lamps, trays, outcult to control to get the desired “butter it back to your home for $60, in addition removable laundry bags, a lighting fold out irontion.”

“Customers have a lot of options door fixtures, landscape and knife” sharpness.

As you sharpen the to tune-up costs, whichcubbies includes getting ing board, adjustable made for Weller alsosays. designs storage here,” Benson “I think thissolutions showmore. There’s a lighting style for everyblade, keep checking to make sure it is the blade sharpened. shoes, boots and handbags and much room for the pantry, garage, more laundry helps to emphasize, thanroom, ever one, from traditional to contemporary. balanced.

To safely remove the blade from a more. home office and basement.

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Also, look for other problems such as dents, bends and cracks; they may signal that it’s time to replace the blade.

Always get the recommended blade for your mower.

“If you get a blade that’s not right for the mower, it won’t work right. The blade and the mower are designed to work together,” Kinney says.

Mulching blades are more difficult to sharpen and may require several types of files, so it’s best to leave that job to the experts.

“Good organizational design plays before, that are a one-stop shop.

You more information to scheda bigFor role inwe making a homeormore funcule an appointment contact the business can discover a full breadth of products tional and enjoyable,” he says. through here.

It’s their convenient toatbelincolnrent-all. able laminate to find Along withwebsite adjustable-shelf com or call the Riverside location storage, the right Shelving lighting Unlimited to go withoffers your wirenewat (815) 633-9322 and the Auburn location shelving sofa systems

by Rubbermaid, the kitchen, or dining room table all at (815) 968-0931.

■ ❚ ❚ No. 1here brand in the industry. right in one store.”

Get GetSLW SLWHome Home&&Garden Gardenarti articles cles every week.

Visit NWQSmartLiving. every week. Visit NWQSmartLiving. com comand andstart startyour youre-Editi e-Edition ontoday. today.

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I  W

Seeds & Weeds I

n a world that works so hard to control our minds, whether by commercialism, propaganda or peer pressure, it’s a stunning truth that God – who designed our remarkable brains in the first place – grants each of us full freedom of thought.

We can believe upon Christ Jesus or reject him. What’s more, if we choose to be “Christian,” we can use the power of our minds to internalize Christ and become his “imitators,” or we may wear the sacred label, in name only, like a pair of brandname blue jeans.

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” – Ephesians 5:1-2 To walk with Christ, even when nobody’s looking – especially when nobody’s looking – is to get out the garden tools and yank the weeds from our lives, one by one.

Some of us are pulling a lot of weeds, literally, this week, as dandelions burst open with May vigor. Such labor brings to mind this anonymous poem once published on seed packets.

When I Put on My Worn-Out Tweeds When I put on my worn-out tweeds And with my hands pull garden weeds, The likeness always come to mind, ‘Tween weeds and sins of human kind.

For weeds will grow up anywhere In ground that’s either foul or fair, And when you pull them you’re not through; They’ll grow right up again for you.

Some weeds have roots so great in length That pulling them is test of strength, And they should be removed with care Or they’ll kill good plants anywhere.

It makes no difference where you go There’s no place that the weeds can’t grow; Some folks keep weeding, others won’t, Some folks have gardens, others don’t.

So weeds and sin are quite the same In growth and action, not in name; But different is their origin: God makes the weeds, we make the sin. ❚ 12

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Y K

Tasty Ways to Eat More Fruits and Veggies H

ave you been following your parents’ age-old advice to “eat your fruits and vegetables”? If adding more produce to your daily diet seems like a daunting task, rest assured that one solution is right in your pantry: canned foods.

Unlock the goodness of canned fruits and vegetables to prepare delicious dishes like Pineapple Jerk Chicken, featuring nutritious canned pineapple and proteinpacked black beans, and Gazpacho with Crab, made with canned crab and lycopene-rich diced tomatoes.

Pineapple Jerk Chicken Serves: 6

Ingredients:

• 1 cup long-grain rice • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces • 1 teaspoon Jamaican jerk blend seasoning • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil • 1 medium onion, diced • 1 can Del Monte pineapple chunks in 100 percent juice, drained • 1 can Goya black beans, drained and rinsed • 1 can Old El Paso chopped green chiles • 1/2 cup Jamaican jerk marinade

• 1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded and coarsely chopped • 1 small red onion, chopped • 2 garlic cloves • 1 small cucumber, seeded and diced, divided • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper • 1/4 teaspoon Tabasco pepper sauce • 1 can Del Monte Whole Kernel Corn, drained • 1 can Chicken of the Sea Lump Crabmeat, drained and flaked • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro

Directions: In food processor or blender, combine tomatoes, chiles, red bell pepper, red onion, garlic and half of the diced cucumber. Blend until just smooth. Stir

in red wine vinegar, olive oil, salt, pepper and pepper sauce. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

To serve, stir in corn and crab. Garnish with remaining cucumber and cilantro. ❚ Source: Family Features

Directions: Prepare rice according to directions.

Sprinkle chicken with jerk seasoning. In 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat, cook chicken pieces in hot oil until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes.

With slotted spoon, remove chicken to plate.

Using drippings remaining in skillet, cook onion over medium heat, about 5 minutes. Add chicken pieces, pineapple chunks, black beans, green chiles and jerk marinade. Over high heat, bring to boil; reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 10 minutes until chicken is tender, stirring occasionally.

Serve chicken mixture over rice.

Gazpacho with Crab Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 can Muir Glen organic diced tomatoes • 1 can Old El Paso chopped green chiles

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O L

New Tools Make Lawn Care Easier

By Peggy Werner

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f you’re looking for quality products to manage the care and feeding of your lawn, the experts at Cherry Valley Landscape Center, 7711 Newburg Road, can help.

The family-owned business was in the landscaping and snow removal business for 16 years before it opened a “one stop shop” in 2010 that caters to landscape companies and contractors but also offers a wide variety of products to homeowners.

One of the newest items on the showroom floor is the Hustler Raptor Flip-up zero-turn riding lawn mower. At the push of a button, the front deck can be raised and lowered for easy cleaning and blade changing.

“This technology is revolutionary, when it comes to what’s new in mowing equipment,” says Rob Johnson, sales manager at Cherry Valley Landscape Center. “It’s especially nice for maintain-

ing the mower and less storage space is needed.”

When purchasing a mower, the size of the lawn determines the size of the lawn mower needed; quality of cut, comfort, durability and price range figure into the equation, too, he says.

In addition to lawn care equipment, Cherry Valley Landscape Center sells snow removal equipment, salt spreaders, landscape materials, premium hardwood mulch, colored mulch, stone, fertilizer,

grass seed, ice melt products and Unilock paver and wall system products. It also runs a full-service small engine parts and repair shop and will work on most brands of equipment, including snow plows.

Ever introducing new lines of product, the business recently added TruckCraft, WeatherGuard and Buyers truck accessories to its showroom. For more information, contact Cherry Valley Landscape Center at (815) 977-5268. ■

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Both Locations Join In The Celebration!

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*To Qualified Buyers on financed balance over $2,000 with 10% Down. Tax & delivery not financeable.

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CELEBRATION OF GUSTAFSON'S FURNITURE AND MATTRESS 2ND STORE!

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We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

Interest free financing available on purchases over $2000 to qualified buyers. See store for details. 30 Day Lay-A-Way.

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May 11

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www.gustafsonfurniture.com | 815.636.8608

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R  O R

Ski Broncs Continued from Cover

“We’re all amateurs, so funny things can happen,” says Steve Kling, Ski Broncs president. “Our shows are wildly entertaining and a little different each night. Whether you enjoy our concessions or bring your own, it’s a great summer night to grab a meal and free entertainment. We’re done by sundown, so there’s still time to go out afterward, if desired.”

Like most people who join the Ski Broncs, Kling initially joined to have fun.

Soon, however, he realized the opportunities for personal development, mentoring and team building.

Now, Kling loves coaching the Ski Broncs. He enjoys helping the team to reach its highest entertainment potential.

“I enjoy being on the team for the physical joys of completing stunts, seeing all the smiles we put on faces and

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ultimately improving our community,” Kling says.

“Leading and coaching has pushed me to new levels personally, and I’ve enjoyed accomplishments on a higher level than I could have otherwise. Ski Broncs taught me to smile, from the heart and on command.”

The team works hard in the off-season to prepare for a stretch of spectacular shows. The team begins indoor practice in January while a board of directors and several committees work on things like budgeting, equipment planning and purchasing, show production and fundraising. The skiers master the art of pyramid climbing, additional stunts and even basic tasks, such as rolling the water-ski rope correctly.

After eight indoor practices in the off-season, the team pushes to practice at

May 11 To advertise call 815-316-2300

least twice a week all summer long. The group works on important skill development for various roles: skiing, dancing, driving, spotting and working with the stage crews.

To Kling, every ounce of hard work is worth it.

“We perform for the enjoyment and betterment of our community,” Kling says. “We take practice seriously to be the best we can be. Further, our practice is critical in keeping our highly dangerous

R  O R sport as safe as can be.”

Though they may be amateurs, the team members are constantly challenging themselves to improve. This year, the Ski Broncs are competing in the Central Region Championships in Indiana during the second weekend of July, and if they do well, they’ll also compete in the National Championships in Janesville the

second weekend of August.

Since the regional tournament is a qualifier for Nationals, Kling is pushing his team to perform at an elite level. The process includes learning to set up and tear down their set at rapid speed.

“We have to be able to set up the show in 20 minutes and tear it all down in 10 minutes,” Kling says. “It’s exciting to see how well we can do under pressure.”

While Kling hopes the Ski Broncs perform well, he also values the simple enjoyment of the sport and art. Tournaments, he says, are the perfect time to have fun.

“It’s a great time to see innovations from other teams and hang out with our friendly show-ski community,” Kling says. “Nationals, of course, is the best of the best, so it’s an honor to compete at that level. These tournaments have the feel of a large festival, with vendors, entertainment and thousands of people having fun together.”

Next year, the Ski Broncs will

celebrate their 50th anniversary by hosting both the Central Region and National Championships in Shorewood Park.

Right on the Rock River, Shorewood Park serves as an ideal practice and performance location for the Ski Broncs.

The “playing field” is a safely navigable three-quarter-mile rectangle of river space, with amenities of extensive bleacher and lawn seating, concessions and free parking.

Kling considers Shorewood Park to be one of the best show-ski venues in the world.

“Other teams love visiting our site because it’s very ski-able,” Kling says.

“Also, we make them feel very welcome in our community.”

The Ski Broncs are always looking to add more athletic performers to their team – especially strong young men. To join the team or discover more information about performances, visit skibroncs. com or facebook.com/Ski-Broncs-WaterSki-Show-Team. ❚

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JACKPOTS UP TO $25,000!

REEL RANDOM JACKPOT WINS THIS SPRING:

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

Just play slots now–June 30 during our 25th Anniversary celebration and you’ve got a random shot at prizes of $25, $250 and $2,500, awarded all dawy every day. You could also win a progressive jackpot guaranteed to hit by $25,000!

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Y H

Getting a Leg Up on Good Vein Health

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

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

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

“In the past 10 to 20 years, the public

I

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Learn more about Rockford and how it is the perfect getaway for

Chris Manuel, Dustin Koch, Reed Sjostrom

food, culture and outdoor adventure.

Prairie Street Brewhouse

Request your GoRockford guide at gorockford.com/vguide.

James Purifoy

Al Castrogiovanni

Zina Horton

15th & Chris

Alchemy

Zammuto’s

Real. Original. Delicious.

Rockford, Illinois, is filled with Delicious Destinations that make it a can’t-miss culinary adventure. An impressive list of local chefs have been delighting diners and diverse palates for years. They know that to get the best tasting creations, fresh food is better and that farmers are a chef’s best friend.

Whether you are grabbing some of the best burgers of your life from 15th & Chris, sampling the Real. Orignal. granita from Zammuto’s, trying the latest trends and fusion foods at Alchemy or having a pint of the “beer that made Milwaukee jealous,” the Nikelob, at Prairie Street Brewhouse, you’ll be In Good Company when you pull up a chair at our table – and you will be glad you did.

Smart Living @gorockford Weekly 11 26 | May #gorockford | gorockford.com

Y F

AE: “Visiting Mr. Green” Thru May 22, Thu. 7:30 p.m., Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 4 & 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Mr. Green and Ross can’t stand one another, but the judge who ordered Ross to visit Mr. Green doesn’t want to hear it. Hearts are changed in this lively comedy/ drama. An Artists Ensemble production. Cheek Theatre, Rockford University, 5050 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 394-5004, artistsensemble.org.

The Beach Boys May 12, 7:30 p.m. Join The Beach Boys as they mark more than half a century of making music. Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 968-0595, coronadopac.org.

Spotlight Youth Theater: "Disney's Tarzan" May 12-15, Thu. 9:30 a.m. & 11:45 a.m., Fri. 10 a.m. & 7 p.m., Sat. 2 p.m. & 6 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m. A shipwreck leaves an infant orphaned on the West African shore. The helpless baby is taken under the protection of a gorilla tribe and becomes part of their family. Everything changes as he grows up and meets Jane. Hononegah Performing Arts Center, 307 Salem St., Rockton, Ill., (847) 5162298, spotlight.org//rms16_tarzan.

Oscar’s Garden Fair May 13-14, Fri. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat. to 4 p.m. Visit the beautiful grounds of the Taylor Mansion Museum and enjoy this first-time garden fair.

Stephenson County Historical Museum, 1440 S. Carroll Ave., Freeport, (815) 232-8419.

Just Goods: World Fair Trade Day May 14, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Celebrate World Fair Trade Day by shopping for creative items from all over the world. Sample food and support the crafters, artists and farmers. JustGoods, 201 S. 7th St., Rockford, (815) 965-8903.

Crusin' for a Cause May 14, 3 p.m.-7 p.m. Union Dairy and the Freeport Lions Club host this car show with proceeds benefiting the Lions Club. 3-D sound provides exciting entertainment. Union Dairy, 126 E. Douglas St., Freeport, (815) 232-7099.

“Pec Thing” Antique & Flea Market May 14-15, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Browse through more than 500 vendors selling everything from antiques and collectibles to crafts and home goods. Winnebago County Fairgrounds, 500 W. 1st St., Pecatonica, Ill., (815) 239-1641, winnebagocountyfair.com.

Tell them you saw it in ...

Experience the Beach Boys May 12 at the Coronado Performing Arts Center.

Literacy Half Marathon & 10k Run/Walk May 14, 8 a.m. A 6.2-mile run/walk through scenic forest preserves. Vasa Park, 6616 42nd St., Rockford, runsignup.com/race/il/ Rockford/literacyhalfmarathon10kfunrunwalk.

Severson Dells Night Hike May 16, 7:30-9 p.m. Join biologiest/educator Greg Keilback for a walk to the dells. Listen for owls by the light of oil lamps. Severson Dells Nature Center, 8786 Montague Road, Rockford, (815) 335-2915, seversondells.com.

The Art of Bonsai May 19, 7 p.m. Learn about what makes a bonsai: a dwarfed tree shaped like something found in nature. Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, (815)316-3307,andersongardens.org.

Budding Artists '16 May 20, 6-9 p.m. The Kiwanis Club of Rockford hosts a gala evening fundraising event with an opportunity to buy original art from the area’s best high school student artists. MauhNah-Tee-See Country Club, 5151 Guilford Road, Rockford, kiwanisclubofrockford.com Tough Mudder Chicago May 21-22, start times vary. Tough Mudder brings 5-plus mile obstacle courses to Rockford as part of a two-day event. Chicago Rockford International Airport, 2 Airport Cir., Rockford, toughmudder.com/events/2016-chicago.

Rhubarb Fest May 23, 6 p.m. All things rhubarb are on the menu during the Annual Rhubarb Fest. Carriage House Museum, 529 Green St., Rockton, Ill., (815) 6248200, rocktontownshiphistoricalsociety.com. ❚ Smart Living Weekly

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WDL

Restaurant of the Week

Fresco in the Gardens

By Chris Linden, executive editor

F

ranchesco’s Ristorante in Rockford has long been known for its classy interior, culinary artistry and evening entertainment.

Now, this local favorite is stepping up to the breakfast and lunch table with Fresco at the Gardens, set inside Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford.

Fresco combines Franchesco’s dedication to quality with a focus on fresh, organic, locally sourced ingredients in scratch-made dishes. “Local and organic meals are trending topics around the nation and the world,” says Jake Ziegler, Fresco general

manager.

“We’ve designed our menu around the freshest ingredients possible.”

The fresh produce comes mainly from area farms; some Franchesco's owner Benny Salamone, Franchesco's ingredients are supplied by general manager Michelle LaMay with Fresco general familiar local businesses. Mary’s manager Jake Ziegler. dishes like Chicken Corn Chowder, a Market provides fresh-baked Caprese flatbread, the Fresco burger, bread and Rockford Roasting Co. supplies a crab cake BLT and an apple walnut fresh coffee. chicken salad (shown left).

Breakfast and lunch menus are In-and-out diners can pick up coffee crafted by head chef Robert Phillips, a Le or a FrescoFit Healthy Thirst Quencher, a Cordon Bleu graduate who’s spent a few healthful homemade smoothie. decades cooking throughout America.

The restaurant is open year-round and His breakfasts put a flavorful spin on the offers a prime view of one of the highestmorning meal. The Green Eggs and Ham rated Japanese gardens in North America. omelet, for example, combines pesto, Hours are Mon.-Fri. from 7 a.m. to 3 Asiago cheese, pancetta and eggs.

The lunch menu offers flavor-packed p.m. and Sat.-Sun. from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. ❚

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. $.

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. $.

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. $$.

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Smart Living Weekly

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. $-$$.

Thrive Café E Healthful, fresh salads, wraps, sandwiches, smoothies and cold-pressed juices. Inside Peak Fitness, 4401 Peak Drive, Loves Park. 6 am-8 pm Mon-Fri.; 8 am-2 pm Sat.; Closed Sundays.

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

May 11 To advertise call 815-316-2300

Olympic Tavern

T

his family-owned restaurant, at 2327 N. Main St., has been a Rockford icon for 70 years, changing with the times, yet always giving the public what they want.

“Our business is about hospitality and making people feel welcomed,” says Zak Rotello, the third generation of his family to work in the restaurant.

The full service bar, which was remodeled, updated and expanded about three years ago, features a beer menu of 28 craft brews on tap, which changes daily.

The Olympic is also about great food and friendly service. Daily specials, $14$19, are seasonal items not normally on the menu. Monday is burger night, with a half-pound burger and fries for $5, and Friday night is the $12 fish fry.

Olympic hosts private events and offers patio dining seasonally. The kitchen is open Mon.-Sat., 11 a.m.-midnight. The bar is open later. ❚

Y O

Learn About Flowers at Wild Ones May 19 “P

rairie Plants Close-Up: The Hidden World of Flowers and Fruits” will be presented by the Rock River Valley chapter of Wild Ones, featuring speaker Ken Robertson, PhD, on May 19 at 7 p.m. in the lower level of the Physical Education Center of Rock Valley College, 3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford.

Robertson is a retired botanist from the Illinois Natural History Survey at the University of Illinois. He received a Ph.D. from Washington University and the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis; he came to Illinois after spending six years with the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University.

In this presentation, Robertson will use close-up and detailed macro photographs of flowers and fruits of prairie plants, showing their beauty and structure. These are then used as examples of how flowers are pollinated and how fruits are dispersed. This basic knowledge will

help prairie enthusiasts understand some of the complexities of the prairie ecosystem. He will concentrate on species found at Harlem Hills Nature Preserve and other prairies in northern Illinois, especially in spring/early summer.

Flowers are indeed special to humans, yet why do plants make flowers in the first place and why the tremendous variation in size, shape, color, and fragrance? Basically, to reproduce. Flowers are pollinated and become fruits. Inside the fruits are seeds that ensure future generations. Much of the diversity of flowers and fruits is the result of adaptations to pollination or dispersal, usually to attract some kind of animal to visit the flowers either to carry out pollination or to carry away the seeds.

The program is free and open to the public. Come early and browse the library, merchandise and refreshment displays. Learn more by calling (815) 3323343 or visit wildonesrrvc.com. ■

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Photos by David C. Olson

May 11

29

Experience Downtown Rockford

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May 11

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May 11 To advertise call 815-316-2300

Y P

Fido Needs Grooming Just Like We Do

By Peggy Werner

G

ood grooming is a habit that should develop early in life and never be compromised, so you can look and feel your best – and that goes for your pets, too.

“If you don’t brush or comb your dog more often than every 12 weeks, you will have a problem. If you can’t get a comb or brush through the dog’s fur because it is so badly matted, the groomer will have no other option than to shave the coat,” says Dave Schnidt, owner of Dave’s Doggie Den, 107 St. Louis Ave., Rockford, where dogs can be groomed, trained and attend daycare.

Like all other good habits, it’s not only important to know what your dog’s grooming needs are, but also to get the pet on a schedule and stick to it. If you start grooming your dog right from the start, it will know what to expect and may even learn to enjoy it, Schnidt says. Grooming basics include bathing, nail trimming, ear care and hair trimming.

“People don’t realize how much maintenance there is in the upkeep of some breeds like Cocker Spaniels, Poodles, and Shih Tzu. If you want your Bichon to look like one, but go to the groomer only once every six months, it’s not going to happen,” he says.

Most dogs will enjoy getting their hair brushed. It feels good, helps them to bond with you, keeps the coat tangle-free, shiny and healthy, and reduces shedding, he says. Long hair needs daily brushing, while shorter hair can sometimes go for weeks.

Bathing, too, can be done as often as once a week or as seldom as once a

month in a tub or sink, where warm water is available. Some pet stores have a self-service tub for a fee and groomers also have bathing facilities. It’s important to brush out any tangles before washing with a dog shampoo and to use a bath mat to avoid accidents. ❚

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May 11

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