Smart Living Weekly - August 20, 2014

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Save Smarter • Live Better • Rockford Region/Freeport 95¢ • Aug. 20, 2014

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Right in Our Region

One-of-a-Kind Cherry Valley Festival Days

By Karla Nagy, associate editor

C

herry Valley Festival Days. Its name has the ring of other city-wide celebrations. And, in many ways, it is like other city celebrations.

From Aug. 22-24, upwards of 10,000 people will visit Baumann Park, 300 S. Walnut St., Cherry Valley, for all of the attractions that define a festival: the carnival and midway, two stages of live entertainment, concessions, a beer tent, bingo, bags and softball tournaments, fireworks.

Then there are those events that define it as Cherry Valley’s festival: kids and adults digging for prizes in a giant mud pit; people in kilts, tossing telephone poles and huge rocks; folks racing around town in search of a Golden Key. “We have some original competitions and events that have grown and evolved over the years,” says Jeff Brown, 2014 president of Cherry Valley Festival Days.

Continued on p. 20

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‘The Difference’ of Gray’s Foods • Power Up With Protein • Kitchen Cabinet Bells & Whistles Teaching Kids About Money • Lumens vs. Watts • Skincare Secrets

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In This Issue

Right in Our Region: .....................Cover & p. 20 Cherry Valley Festival Days Your Home ........................................................11 Kitchen Cabinet Bells & Whistles Inspiration & Worship .....................................12 Kipling’s ‘If’ Your Kitchen .................................................... 15 Experience The Difference at Gray’s Foods Your Outings ......................................................17 Freeport’s Art in the Park Your Health ...................................................... 25 Power-Packed Protein Your Fun .......................................................... 27 Dining Locally ................................................. 29 Tips ................................................................... 31 Making Enlightened Light Bulb Buys Your Money ...................................................... 33 Teaching Your Kids About Money

Smart L iving Weekly ™

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes Executive Editor Janine Pumilia

Managing Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Associate Editor/Special Projects Editor Karla Nagy Senior Staff Writer/Promotions Coordinator Paul Anthony Arco Graphics Director Blake Nunes Graphic Designer Samantha Ryan Contributing Writer Peggy Werner General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes General Manager/Northwest Business Magazine Dave Marino Account Executives Steve Blachford, Brian Hughes Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes Website www.NWQSmartLiving.com Published by Hughes Media Corp.

728 N. Prospect St., Rockford, IL, 61107 (815) 316-2300, Fax: (815) 316-2301 lhughes@northwestquarterly.com Smart Living Weekly.

Copyright 2014 by Hughes Media Corp., 728 N. Prospect St., Rockford, IL, 61107. 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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Men in Kilts

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ou’ve got to love a guy in a kilt, and we’re seeing a lot of them, these days, in popular culture, such as the “Outlander” TV series based on the books by Diana Galbaldon. Of course, Mel Gibson has always looked good in a kilt and can throw a stone put with the best of them.

Not to be outdone are the attendees of our own Cherry Valley Festival Days, as we learn in Karla Nagy’s cover story. The festival’s Scottish Highland Games draw visitors from near and far. And those Scots don’t fool around in their athletic prowess, either. Forget the lightweight balls used in games played by my British ancestors; the Scots toss around heavy sheaves and 20-foot poles.

It so happens that the real Scots – those actually living in Scotland and not wearing “Braveheart” wigs – will get a chance to shake English bonds, once and for all, next month, on Sept. 18, when this simple question is put to public referendum: “Should Scotland be an independent country?” Scotland has been part of the United Kingdom since 1707, but was a sovereign state for 800 years before that. (And here I thought Mel Gibson had already settled that question.)

Speaking of screen legends, our current issue of Northwest Quarterly Magazine spotlights Freeport’s Spencer Tracy Festival, which will take place at the historic Lindo Theatre this weekend. Did you know the famous actor was closely tied to our region? I didn’t.

Turns out Tracy’s parents, John and Carrie, met and married in Freeport and are buried there. Tracy attended Ripon College in Wisconsin, with the intention of studying medicine. Instead, he caught the acting bug, and the rest is history. The three-day festival includes four of his movies.

To find a list of locations where you can pick up your copy of Northwest Quarterly, go to northwestquarterly.com and click on “Preferred Providers.”

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

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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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Y H  G

Inside Focus on Kitchen Cabinets & Drawers

By Jim Killam

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omeowners are opting for multipurpose islands and counters, plus all the storage space they can get, from large pantries and deep drawers to custom-designed cabinet interiors.

Many items traditionally stored in cabinets, such as dishes and pans, are now finding their way into drawers and onto special rollout or swivel racks. It’s all about readily available, convenient storage.

“People are adding all the bells and whistles inside the cabinets,” says Sue Bryant, owner of River Valley Kitchens & Baths, 5261 Swanson Road, Roscoe. “That’s kind of your key with a good kitchen design, to try to get as much up and off the counters as you can.”

Among those bells and whistles: • Islands with end drawers that open into additional counter/table space.

• Deeper drawer boxes for dishes, pots and pans, as opposed to deep cabinets you have to rummage through.

• Organizers allowing pots to go one place, lids another.

• Rollout trays for more-convenient storage in low cabinets.

• Drawers with built-in storage for knives or spices.

• Full-height, narrow base cabinets with slide-outs to hold baking utensils, canisters and ingredients.

• Pull-out shelves that lift heavy appliances like mixers to counter level.

That’s a sweet dream for cooks tired of hauling out the Kitchenaid, but those with smaller kitchens should be advised that this feature requires an entire, dedicated cabinet.

Soffits, too, are disappearing, so that homeowners can reclaim that space for even more storage. ❚

Get SLW Home & Garden articles every week. Start your e-Edition today, at NWQSmartLiving.com.

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I  W

Kipling’s ‘If ’ This inspiring poem was written by Rudyard Kipling in 1909 and still speaks to us today.

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f you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you, If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too; If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies, Or being hated, don’t give way to hating, And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise: If you can dream – and not make dreams your master; If you can think – and not make thoughts your aim; If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same; If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools: If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings And never breathe a word about your loss; If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings – nor lose the common touch, If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you, If all men count with you, but none too much; If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it, And – which is more – you’ll be a Man, my son! ❚

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

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Experience ‘The Difference’ of Gray’s Foods B y K a r l a N a g y, a s s o c i a t e e d i t o r re you tired of warehouse-style grocery shopping at the super stores?

Prepackaged meats, all measured to the same weight; already cooked, already seasoned, flash-frozen chicken; ground meat that’s been piped into solid-color tubes.

Fear not. The old-fashioned personal service of the in-store butcher is alive and well. It’s all part of the “The Difference” shoppers experience at Gray’s Foods, 1630 N. Alpine Road, Rockford.

“Our biggest difference is our people,” says owner Jeff Gray. “They’re smart about their areas and about everything in the store. They treat customers like family.”

Gray runs the family business his father started 46 years ago, following the same principles of quality, convenience and knowledgeable, friendly service.

“We have so many things that we do better than our competitors, but our meat is one of the stand-outs,” he says.

“If we do it, we do it well, and our fresh

meat is never prepackaged, pre-ground or frozen. We cut, trim, grind and package instore. Our meat department staff has more than 150 years of combined experience.”

Leading the team is Ricky Rhoads, certified butcher. “Our ground meat is made from all fresh trimmings,” he says. “We can answer questions about all cuts of meat, and we can special-cut and package anything Ricky Rhoads is Gray’s Foods’ certified butcher. a customer may need.”

“I want our customers to experience Gray’s upholds strict quality standards when purchasing meat from regional sup- quality, and that needs to carry through to pliers. “Quality is always the No. 1 prior- the kitchen table,” he says. “The final experience happens at home. That’s where the ity,” says Gray.

Gray is a hands-on owner who checks difference really comes through.” ❚ in with customers while they shop and Get SLW Kitchen articles every keeps a list on his smart phone about week.

Visit NWQSmartLiving.com products they’ve asked him to carry or exand start your e-Edition today. pressed concerns about.

(Samantha Ryan photo)

A

August 22-24

Freeport, Illinois

Single Admission $5 Film Discussion To Follow Each Film

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115 South Chicago Ave. • Freeport • 815.233.0413

For More Information: Freeport Visitors Bureau 815-233-1357 • 800-369-2955 www.classiccinemas.com Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Weekly

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Attend Freeport’s 7th Annual Art in the Park T he public is invited to attend the seventh annual Art in the Park, this Sunday, Aug. 31, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Krape Park, 1799 S. Park Blvd, Freeport.

There is no admission fee.

Artists will display their work, from paintings and photography to woodworking, ceramics and metal crafting. Also, artists demonstrate their art live at the event.

This event, which attracts more than 6,500 visitors each year, features activities throughout Krape Park. There are fine art displays, performing arts, demonstrations of various art media, and children’s handson activities.

Local musicians and performing artists will also be featured throughout the day, and food will be available from sev-

These artists and many more will be displaying and demonstrating their crafts at Art in the Park.

Painting by Ellen Bartels

Painting by Carrie Baxter

Photo by Cindy Vondran

eral vendors. Visitors can also explore the amenities of Krape Park: an authentic antique working carousel, fenced-in duck farm, waterfall, children’s play areas, canoe and paddle boat rentals, miniature golf, picnic tables and outdoor grills on site. Krape Park is accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Winners of the People’s Choice Awards for Best of Show and Best Display will be selected on the day of the event. Announcements will be posted on the event’s Facebook page followed by a cash prize.

Art in the Park is a cooperative effort between the Freeport Park District and the Freeport Art Museum.

To learn more, go to freeportartmuseum.com. ❚

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

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Cherry Valley Festival Days Continued from Cover

Brown has been involved with the fest for about 20 years, and wife Lisa is also on the committee, made up of more than 20 residents, many of them husband and wife. “It becomes a generational thing,” says Jeff. “My son is also on the committee.”

One of the largest participation events of the fest is the Muddy Money Mud Pit. “It’s definitely unique to our fest, and it gets more popular every year,” says Jeff.

For this event, an area 16 feet by 24 feet is filled with 10 to 12 inches of mud, and different age groups get 10 minutes to hunt for golf balls buried in the mud. Balls are numbered to correspond to a variety of prizes, the largest of which is $50.

Children first try to find 150 golf balls buried in the mud, which correspond to age-appropriate booty. Then, another 150 golf balls are dumped in, and juniors ages 15-20 have 10 minutes to get “down-and-dirty.” After 150 more golf balls are added, adults dives in. That means, of course, that the older contestants could end up with prizes aimed at someone younger.

“Contestants keep as many as they can gather – no bags, no handing off to someone, no tossing into a pile,” says Jim Emerson, the event’s coordinator. “Just whatever you can hold. People put them into their pockets and down their shirts. I think some of the juniors don’t even look. I think they just like to play in the mud.”

The Muddy Money Mud Pit starts at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, with registration start at 6 p.m. on Friday. People begin lining up when the festival opens at 5 p.m., and organizers say it’s filled within 45 minutes. “If people want to get on the list, they should start waiting at the gate around 3:30,” Emerson says.

Another distinctive attraction is the Scottish Highland Games, which have been a part of Cherry Valley Festival Days for eight years. Started by festival committee members Jane & Jason Clevenger, the games have been a fundraiser for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer for the past five years. Participants are members of the North American Scottish Games Athletics, competing in Scottish Heavy Athletics.

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R  O R “Events are part of traditional Celtic competitions,” says Jane. “There’s a stone put [like shot put] and a hammer throw.

In the sheaf toss, a burlap bag filled with straw is thrown with a pitchfork. In the caber toss, a 20-foot-tall wooden pole is flipped.

Men and women both compete, and they all wear kilts.”

Contestants register online and have come from as far away as Texas and Utah. Their registration fees are donated to Making Strides.

The games are held Saturday from noon-6 p.m., with a bake sale and silent auction also benefitting breast cancer research.

Also part of Cherry Valley Festival Days is the Golden Key Hunt. “We hide a Golden Key somewhere in the village, on public property,” explains festival committee member Lisa Brown, Jeff’s wife. “Starting Friday night, we post clues to the location, and people try to figure out the hiding place.”

The clues become less vague and more frequent as the weekend progresses, and the finder receives $50. “You can tell when someone is trying to follow a clue,” Lisa says. “As the clues grow, more people are hunting in the same area, and you can see when they all have the same idea about where to look next.”

Kids, too, get to look for free money, during the Kids Nickel Scramble on Friday at 7 p.m. Then there’s the Cherry Pie Eating Contest, from 2-2:45 p.m. on Sunday. “It’s divided into four

age groups,” says Bill LeFevre, 2014 committee secretary. “The kids are fun, but you do NOT want to watch the way some of the adults eat their pies!”

Admission buttons, good for all three days, are $6 at the gate ($3 on Sunday), and may be purchased ahead of time for $5, at a variety of locations, through noon on Aug. 23.

Derek Luttrell and Olivia Dvorak are two of nearly 20 local and regional bands performing all weekend in two venues – the Shade Tent and the Main Stage. “There’s no additional charge for the entertainment,” Jeff says. “We want to keep it affordable for families.”

This is the 26th year for the much-anticipated event, which began along the main street downtown, but moved to the park within a few years. Proceeds are donated back to Cherry Valley’s park systems, and most recently have helped to fund a handicap accessible dock – an Eagle Scout project; new playground equipment in Baumann Park; and higher fencing around the ball diamond.

While the intent by original organizers was to highlight businesses, residents agree that the festival’s main purpose now is good, clean fun.

“It’s three days of family activities, great food and outstanding entertainment,” says Jeff.

For a list of where to buy buttons and a full schedule of events and times, visit valleydays.com. ❚

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Gain Power Through Protein W

hether you’re training for your first half marathon or you’re a busy mom on-the-go, protein is essential to keeping your body in top physical form. Protein increases strength, by rebuilding damaged muscle tissue, and promotes stamina, since it takes longer to digest.

Foods with high protein content, like meat, poultry, seafood, beans, peas, eggs, soy, nuts and seeds, help to slow digestion, control appetite, and keep you feeling full longer. Choosing lean proteins and eating a variety of protein-filled foods are two ways to get the most from your nutrition plan.

Many nutritious snacks can add protein as part of a balanced diet. For example, a LUNA Protein bar is gluten-free, made from a blend of soy and whey protein. With fewer than 200 calories, it keeps you feeling full, with 12 grams of soy and whey protein and 3 grams of fiber.

The amount of protein you need depends on your activity level. For example, a 140-pound woman with a primarily sedentary lifestyle needs 56 grams per day, while

Y H

a 140-pound woman who participates in regular, high-impact exercise may need as many as 119 grams.

A pre- or post-workout snack with vitamins and nutrients is especially important.

Tara DelloIacono-Thies, registered dietitian for LUNA, suggests these protein-rich snack ideas: • Celery sticks, carrots or apple slices with nut butter • Hard-boiled egg with salt and pepper on whole wheat bread • One protein-rich bar, such as LUNA • Plain Greek yogurt topped with seasonal fruit • Low sodium turkey meat rolled up with lettuce, low fat cheese, mustard and veggies of your choice For more ways to incorporate protein into your daily diet, visit lunabar.com. ❚ Source: Family Features

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Beauty of Kimono Aug. 21, 7 p.m. Kimiko Gunji, former Director of Japan House at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, speaks about traditional kimono and its history and demonstrates kimono dressing. $5/members free. Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, (815) 316-3307, andersongardens.org.

(Karla Nagy photo)

Amboy Depot Days Aug. 21-24, events daily. Carnival, beer garden, crafts, garage sales, live entertainment, more. Thurs. Family Fun Night, 5-10 p.m. 5K, petting zoo, craft show, Depot Days Parade; Sun. pancake breakfast, car, truck & motorcycle show. More at depotdays.com.

Attend a tea ceremony, see Taiko drummers, exhibits, demonstrations and more, at the Japanese Summer Festival, Aug. 23-24, at Anderson Japanese Gardens in

Japanese Summer Festival Aug. 23-24, Sat. 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Exhibits, demonstrations, Taiko drummers, more. Tea ceremony for additional fee/registration. $8/$7/$6/free under age 5. Anderson Japanese Gardens, Rockford, (815) 229-9390.

Friday Night Flix: Planes Aug. 22, 7 p.m. (dusk). Free. Davis Park, 320 S. Wyman St., Rockford, (815) 489-8207.

Lockwood Park Pro Rodeo Roundup Aug. 22-23, 7-10 p.m. Big Hat Rodeo with bareback riding, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, team roping, cowgirls barrel racing, more.

Advance: $10/$6 ages 4-12; gate $12/$8. Lockwood Park, 5201 Safford Road, Rockford, (815) 987-889, rockfordparkdistrict.org/lockwood.

Spencer Tracy Film Festival Aug. 22-24, Fri.-Sat. 7 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 1 p.m. One of Hollywood’s most cherished actors comes home (on screen) to Freeport, where he lived as a child. Four films shown on the historic Lindo Theatre’s big screen. $5 per film. Lindo Theatre, 115 S. Chicago Ave., Freeport, (815) 233-0025.

Cherry Valley Festival Days Aug. 22-24, events daily. Food & beverage vendors, carnival, on-site activities, live entertainment. Advance button purchase $5 good for all three days; otherwise, $6 a day, $3 Sun. Bauman Park, 218 S. Walnut St., Cherry Valley, Ill., (815) 332-2152, valleydays.com.

Refind: Pop-Up Art Exhibition Aug. 23-Nov. 8, Sat. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Exhibit of art created by four Rockford artists from salvaged

materials. Held in a vacant building, Main & VanBuren streets, Freeport. Reception: Aug. 22, 6-9 p.m., Freeport Art Museum, 121 N. Harlem Ave., (815) 235-9755, freeportartmuseum.org.

Renewable Energy Fair Aug. 23-24, 9 a.m. Learn about renewable energy and sustainable lifestyles. Booths, exhibits and presentations from more than 70 businesses and organizations. Ogle Co Fairgrounds, Limekiln Road, Oregon. Info: illinoisrenew.org.

Harlan Jefferson Aug. 26, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday Evening in the Gardens concert series. Tickets $5/$3 teens. Food, beer & wine, beverages for sale. Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, andersongardens.org.

Lincoln-Douglas Debate Ceremony Aug. 27, 7 p.m.. Annual program to commemorate the historic 1858 debate between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas. Lincoln-Douglas Debate Square, 114 E. Douglas Street, Freeport.

(815-975-7631) 2nd Annual “Cruisin To The Dairy” Car Show Aug. 30, 4-8 p.m. This great old fashioned ice cream parlor has great cars, ’50s and ’60s music, more. No entry fee. Union Dairy, 126 E. Douglas, Freeport. (815) 232-799.

Art In The Park Aug. 31, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Local/regional artists display & sell their art. Live entertainment, kids’ activities. Krape Park, 1799 S. Park Blvd., Freeport, (815) 235-6114, freeportartmuseum.com. ❚

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Smart Dining Weekly Our Top Picks for Terrific Local Restaurants Legend: D Dinner, L Lunch, Br Brunch, Bk Breakfast, $ under $12.50, $$ $12.50-$25, $$$ $25+ 9 East Coffee  Specialty coffees, pastries, breakfast & lunch items. 9 E. Stephenson St., Freeport. (815) 233-7300. $ abreo  Upscale-Casual. Tapas menu. 515 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 968-9463. D M-Th 5-10pm, F-Sat to midnight. $-$$.

Amici Italian Grill  Upscale-Casual/Italian. Fresh, authentic Italian cuisine. 5506 Clayton Circle, Roscoe, (815) 6237171. LD Sun-Th 11am-9pm, F-Sat 11am-10-pm. $-$$.

Bravo Pizza  Italian/American favorites, full bar. 376 Prairie Hill Road, South Beloit, Ill. (815) 624-7900. LD M-Th 11am10pm, F-Sat 11am-11pm, Sun11am-10pm. $.

Butterfly Club  Upscale-Casual/Fine Dining. 5246 E. Co. Road X, Beloit, Wis. (608) 362-8577. LD T-Th 5-9:30pm, F 4:30-10pm, Sat 5-10pm, Sun noon-8pm. Live bands. $$.

Cafe Fromage  Artisan sandwiches, soups, cheese plates, baked goods. 431 E. Grand, Beloit, Wis. (608) 207-3094. $ Cannova’s Pizzeria & Fine Italian Cuisine  Casual.

Pizza, pasta, steak, seafood. 1101 W. Empire St., Freeport, (815) 233-0032. D T-Th, Sun 5-9pm; F-Sat 10pm. $-$$.

Ciao Bella Ristorante  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 Italian Ristorante  Upscale-Casual. 133 Blackhawk Dr., Byron, Ill., (815) 234-4707. Open daily. D Sun-Th 4-10pm, F-Sat to midnight. $-$$.

Dos Reales  Casual/Authentic Mexican. 5855 E. State St., Rockford. LD M-Th, Sun 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 10:30pm$.

Franchesco’s Ristorante  Upscale/Italian-American. Sommelier, live entertainment, weddings, Sinatra Lounge, Benny’s Bar. 7128 Spring Creek Rd, Rockford, (815) 229-0800. LD M-Th 11am-10pm, F to 11pm, Sat-Sun 4pm. $$.

Giordano’s  Casual/Italian. Pasta, deep-dish pizza, specialties. 333 Executive Pkwy., Rockford, (815) 398-5700, LD 11 a.m.-midnight $.

JMK Nippon Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar  Upscale-Casual. 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. $$.

Joey C’ Cucina & Cocktails  Upscale-Casual/Italian.

2583 N. Mulford, Rockford, (815) 639-1200. LD M-T 4-10pm, W-Th 11am-9pm, F to 10pm, Sat-Sun 4-10pm $.

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Leombruni’s Italian Village Pizza & Restaurant  Casual. 110 W. 2nd St., Byron, Ill., (815) 234-2696. D T-Th 5-9pm, F-Sat to 11pm, Sun to 10pm. $.

Lucha Cantina  Casual/Mexican. Fresh ingredients, no MSG, steaks, mac ‘n cheese, burgers. 1641 N. Alpine, Rockford, (815) 977-4319. LD M-Th 11am-midnight, F-Sat 2am. $.

Main Street Bistro  Fine dining, full bar, live music Th&Sat. 109 S. Galena Ave., Freeport, (815) 232-2322. M-Sat 2pmmidnight. $$ Maciano’s Pizza & Pastaria  Casual. Italian favorites, beer & wine. 6746 Broadcast Pkwy., Loves Park, Ill., (815) 963-7869. LD Sun-Th 11am-midnight, F-Sat to 11pm. $$.

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

Mulligans  Casual/American. 2212 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 963-7869. LD M-Sat 11am-2am, Sun to midnight. $ Napoli Pizzeria III & Top Dollar Slots  Pizza, pasta, sandwiches, appetizers, dinners, desserts. Takeout/delivery.

6560 N. Alpine, Loves Park, (815) 877-9888. Sun-Th11am10:30pm, F-Sat to 11:30pm. $-$$.

Olympic Tavern  Casual/American. 2327 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 962-8758. LD M-Sat 11am-2am. $-$$.

Prairie Grass Pub  Burgers, wraps, pork chops, steaks, pasta, daily fish fry. Craft beer, wine, signature cocktails. Deck, banquets. Prairie View Golf Course, 6734 German Church Rd, Byron, Ill. (815) 234--8535. LD daily 10am. $-$$.

Prairie Street Brewhouse  Upscale-Casual/American.

Riverside dining, handcrafted beers, banquet rooms, marina.

200 Prairie St., Rockford, (815) 277-9427. LD Sun-W 11am10pm, Th to midnight, F-Sat to 2am. $-$$.

Tavern on Clark  Casual/American. Tavern-style fare, big burgers, steaks, fries, flatbreads. Full bar; banquets. 755 Clark Ave., Rockford, (815) 708-7088. LD daily 10am. $-$$.

This Is It Eatery  Ribs, burgers, pasta, salads. 16 N. Chicago Ave., Freeport, (815) 616-5449. LD T-Th 11am-8pm, F-Sat to 10pm. $ Vito’s Ristorante  Casual/Italian. Authentic fare from family recipes. Sauces, soups, mama’s meatballs, desserts fresh daily. 1620 N. Bell School Rd., Rockford, (815) 312-5080. LD T-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11pm. $$. ❚

Visit online to see our Expanded Dining Guide at NorthwestQuarterly.com/Dining.

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T  I

Enlightened Bulb-Buying A

ccording to research by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), 65 percent of consumers polled say that picking out the right bulb is a complex process. Following these simple steps will help you to save time, as well as energy and money.

• Know the fixture. Wattage and size differ for table lamps, recessed lights, chandeliers, flood lamp, etc.).

• Look for the Energy Star label. Some incandescent bulb technologies are promoted as energy efficient, but they’re not much better than traditional incandescents. They turn a lot of electrical energy into heat to create light, which wastes energy. By switching to Energy Star-certified compact fluorescant lights (CFL) or light emitting diodes (LED) – which meet rigorous standards for energy efficiency and quality – consumers will save more than $10 billion annually, or $143 per household, and avert the need for 30 new power plants, the EPA estimates.

• Read the Lighting Facts label. This will indicate bulb brightness, measured in lumens (lm), not watts (w). Almost all packaging shows the conversion: 100w equals 1,600lm; 75w equals 1,100lm; 60w equals 800lm; 40w equals 450lm.

• Pick the light color you want. This is measured in Kelvins. The lower the number, the warmer the light (2,700-3,000K); the higher the number, the cooler the light (4,100K). Daylight is 5,500K-6,500K. • Choose the features you need. Find the Energy Star bulb that fits your light source, such as the shape (spiral, globe, covered A, tube and candle) and lighting levels (dimmable or three-way).

For more “enlightening” tips about bulb choices, visit nyserda.ny.gov/bulbology. ❚ Source: NewsUSA

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Teaching Your Kids the Value of Money H

elp your kids to avoid financial pitfalls by talking to them about money. People with financial education participate more often in retirement programs, make larger contributions and have a much higher savings rate than others, says the U.S. Treasury Dept.

“Managing money effectively is one of the keys to gaining wealth, but many of us forget – or avoid – talking to our kids about it,” says Michael Fanning, an executive vice president at Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual). “If we give them tools for financial success now, they’ll make smarter decisions later.”

MassMutual’s new FutureSmart Challenge teaches middle school students how to save, spend, invest, donate and use credit wisely. A 2013 MassMutual family study shows that while 72 percent of parents say it’s important to educate children about finances, but only about half actively do so.

Here are five tips to get you started.

1. Give your kids age-appropriate information about your household budget and show them what it costs to keep your home running. Electricity, gas, food and even cable bills are great ways to talk about budgets and setting aside money to pay for various items helps to maintain your lifestyle.

2. Studies show that people with college degrees earn significantly more money over their lifetimes than those without. Have your kids research job titles that do and don’t require a degree, along with corresponding salary ranges, to show the impact higher education can have on income.

3. Teach your kids that a need is something you must have, like food, versus a want that would be nice to have, like a video game.

Encourage them to think about how they spend money and to save for items they really want.

4. Talk about the pros and cons of credit cards, the importance of paying a balance off every month and how interest rates cost more money in the end.

5. Encourage your kids to set aside allowance money in three different funds: to save, share and spend. Take them to open a bank account, and show how saving regularly earns interest.

No matter your method, teaching your children today about money and how to manage it can set them on the right path to a financially confident and successful future.

For more tips on helping your children to understand financial responsibility, visitmassmutual.com/futuresmartchallenge. ❚ Source: BPT

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