Smart Living Weekly April 25, 2018 by Northwest Quarterly Mag

Sm mart a r t L iving Weekly Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • Rockford Region/Beloit 95¢ • April 25, 2018

™

Right in Our Region

Rockford Dance Co. Presents ‘Cipollino’

See Page 16

Flooring: Do Your Homework Kiwanis Present Budding Artists How to Trim Your Tech Bills Healthy Fare at Thrive Cafe

FREE WIN!

$25 Gift Card from GreenFire Restaurant

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

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Issue 1

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(1) $3,799 down plus tax, title, license, doc and acquisition fee due at signing. No security deposit. 12,000 miles per year. Subject to credit approval, not all will qualify. See dealer for details. Picture for illustration purposes only. Offer ends 4/30/18. (A) Claim based on published total U.S. sales data for all Rogue nameplates from August 2017-February 2018. (B) For more information, see www.iihs.org. (C) Based on sales data from the first half of the year. (C, D)For more information, visit Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com. Kelley Blue Book is a registered trademark of Kelley Blue Book Co., Inc.

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In This Issue

Right in Our Region ........................Cover & p. 16 Rockford Dance Co. Presents ‘Cipollino’ Your Home .................................................. ..... 11 Lots to Know About New Flooring Options Inspiration & Worship ......................................12 Why Patience is a Virtue Your Kitchen .....................................................15 Throw a Hot Pot Party! Your Technology ........................................... ...21 Trim Your Tech Bills Your Health ............................................. .......... 23 Does Your Neck Hurt? Your Fun ................................................... ......... 25

Restaurant of the Week ................................... 26 Healthful Fare at Thrive Cafe Dining Locally .......................................... ........ 26 Your Outing ............................................. ......... 29 Kiwanis Club Presents ‘Budding Artists’ Gala

Smart L iving Weekly ™

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes

Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden

ATTENTION!

Managing Editor Lindsey Gapen Assistant Managing Editor Jermaine Pigee

Do you want to pay more $$$ for your mortgage? Why would you?!?!

Editor Emeritus Janine Pumilia Graphics Director Blake Nunes

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Sales Manager Brad Hughes Advertising Sales Representatives Brian Hughes, Jeremy Jones, Nita Lasky, Kendra Green

Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes Website www.SmartLivingWeekly.com

Adulting is not always easy.

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

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Smart Living Weekly. Copyright 2018 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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Four Presidents

remember taking my son and daughter to the Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum in Springfield soon after it opened in 2005. We were amazed. It was one of the most innovative, hands-on museums we’d ever seen, with great use of multi-media and story-telling. I watched “The Civil War in 4 Minutes” (find it on YouTube) over and over again. So I was very excited to receive news that in this, our 200th anniversary of Illinois, the museum has opened a temporary exhibit titled “From Illinois to the White House: Lincoln, Grant, Reagan, Obama.” Hubby doesn’t know it yet, but we’ll soon be heading to Springfield. The new exhibit runs through the end of 2018 and examines the connections of the four presidents to Illinois; their achievements as politicians and communicators; and the first ladies who helped them to succeed. Artifacts include the table where Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered to future president Ulysses S. Grant in the Civil War; note cards President Ronald Reagan used in his “Tear Down This Wall” speech; the Bible on which Grant’s head rested after his death; a love letter from Reagan to wife Nancy; and President Barack Obama’s notes from his “Bloody Sunday” speech in Selma, Ala. These four men, so very different from one another, all grew up in lower- to middleclass homes. Reagan was born here and the others adopted Illinois as their home. Each was both loved and hated by his electorate and each faced formidable challenges. Especially at a time when modern political life often makes us sick to our stomachs, it’s good for us, and our children, to remember the leaders who’ve overcome great odds to carry our fragile democracy forward. None was perfect, but each of these four men made us proud, advanced our democracy and earned a place in our hearts. Learn more at presidentlincoln.Illinois.gov and have a great week! ❚ Janine Pumilia SLW Editor

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6551 E. State St. Call (815) 636-8608 Today! 8

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Y H  G

Flooring: Learn the Latest Before You Buy By Janine Pumilia

iven all the new products rolling out from the ﬂooring industry, it’s a good idea to learn what you can from retailers who keep up with trends, says Andy Benson, owner of Benson Stone Co., 1100 11th St., Rockford. You may even save money by asking questions. For example, when people come to the store looking for authentic stone ﬂoors, Benson is likely to point them to the luxury vinyl tile display instead. “Speaking as someone who has been a stone guy most of my life, I can tell you there’s not much reason to install a natural stone floor anymore,” says Benson. “Because of the great things that have happened in the evolution of flooring technology, luxury vinyl tile (LVT) that looks like natural stone or wood is just as good – better in many respects – than natural stone flooring. And it’s a lot less expensive.”

LVT (or LVP if shaped like a wood plank) marries the benefits of a manmade product with the high-end look of natural materials. And although manmade products haven’t always been great at mimicking nature, today’s LVT is a very different story. “Most people are hard-pressed to tell the difference between real wood or stone and LVT that looks like wood or stone,” says Benson. “Not only is the digital printing of the surface very realistic, but now the texture is, too. You not only see a knothole, you can feel that knothole. There’s nothing shiny or plastic-looking about it. The coloring and embossing is amazing.” Benson was as surprised as anyone to find he prefers LVT to real wood. “I swear by wood floors but now it’s LVT all the way – I love it,” he says. “People immediately touch it when they

see it, to try to figure out if it’s real wood or stone. It’s that convincing.” LVT is the fastest-growing segment of the flooring industry. Unlike laminate flooring, which is made with fiberboard that falls apart in moisture, LVT is made with layers of (mostly) PVC vinyl, making it far more stable and waterproof. “We install it in homes of every price point,” says Benson. ❚

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I  W

Are You Impatient? Or Are You Strong?

ave you ever lost your temper, only to regret it later? All of us have. It’s so easy to indulge our emotions, even when restraint would be much wiser. (And social media makes it even easier.) We’ve heard it said that “patience is a virtue.” Since the word “virtue” means “strength” or “power,” it follows that impatience is the opposite: a weakness. Anyone can hurtfully spew emotions; it takes a real grownup to exercise self-control. The more we mature in Christ, the greater our inner strength becomes, including our ability to be patient. In fact, the ability to be patient – even when we’re provoked and we’re so certain we’re in the right – is one of the fruit of the spirit listed in Galatians 5:22. In the King James Bible, the Greek word makrothumia is sometimes translated “long suffering.” The word’s roots are the adjective makro (long) and verb thumeo (to act with passion, anger.) It’s a word that means the opposite of shorttempered and is used elsewhere in scripture to describe the kind of patience God Himself exercises toward us. The Apostle Paul uses the same word to describe agape, the highest form of love, in I Cor. 13:4 & 5. “Love is patient (makrothumeo), love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” Christians are meant to care about the welfare of other people – including weak and downright annoying people – which makes this Godly kind of patience essential. It’s not optional. We’re to mimic God, who exercises far more patience with each of us than any of us deserves. In I Thess. 5:14, Paul instructs: “ And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient (makrothumeo) with everyone.” ❚ – Janine Pumilia

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Memorial Day Weekend 2018

Loves Park City Hall Festival Grounds • 100 Heart Boulevard buttons are $12.00 at the gate or purchase in advance for $8.00 KIDS 6 and under are FREE when accompanied by an adult Sold at Loves Park City Hall,and other select locations IN MACHESNEY AND LOVES PARK button good for all four days • All shows are included with admission

MAY 5 & 6 2:00PM HONONEGAH PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Call the RDC Office for additional details at 815.963.3341 or visit our website at rockforddancecompany.com

To advertise call 815-316-2300

Literacy Can Make All the Difference It Starts With You!

STUDENT.

Become a It’s Easy and It’s Free!

TUTOR.

Be a Empower Someone. Volunteer Today!

Visit: www.theliteracycouncil.org E-mail: Read@theliteracycouncil.org Call: 815-963-7323

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Host a Fun Hot-Pot Party I

nvite family and friends over to try a DIY trend, the hot-pot party. Prepare a rich broth and serve steaming-hot in a slow cooker or multi-cooker. Next, offer a selection of meat, seafood and veggies for dunking. Cook for a few minutes then garnish with sauces and various toppings to match individual tastes. Learn more about this hot-pot trend and all the latest flavor trends in McCormick’s 2018 Flavor Forecast at FlavorForecast.com. Caribbean Broth with Papaya Pica Sauce Serves 10 Broth: 2 lbs. smoked ham hocks 2 cups sliced yellow onions 1 cup diagonally sliced carrots 1/2 cup diagonally sliced celery 8 1/4 cups water, divided 1 container (32 oz.) Kitchen Basics Original Chicken Stock 1 whole chile pepper, such as Scotch bonnet or habanero 2 McCormick Bay Leaves 1 tsp. Thyme Leaves 1 tsp. Ground Turmeric 1/2 tsp. ground allspice 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

2 TB cornstarch 2 cans (13.66 oz. each) Thai Kitchen Coconut Milk 2 Tb. lime juice Papaya Pica Sauce 3 cups cubed fresh papaya 1/2 cup cider vinegar 1/4 cup chopped chili pepper 1/4 cup chopped yellow onion 1/4 cup yellow mustard 1 tsp. sea salt 1/2 tsp. ground allspice 1/2 tsp. garlic powder 1/2 tsp. ground ginger 1/4 tsp. McCormick Ground Cloves 1 lb. uncooked bay scallops 1 lb. raw shrimp, peeled and deveined cooked rice toasted shredded coconut (optional) fresh red or green bell pepper slices (optional) Place ham hocks, onion, carrots and celery in 6-qt. stockpot. Cook on medium heat 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add 8 cups water, chicken stock, chile pepper, bay leaves, thyme leaves, turmeric, allspice and pepper. Salt to taste. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to

low; cover and simmer 1 hour, skimming fat occasionally. Remove cover and simmer 30 min. Remove hocks and skim fat. In small bowl, whisk cornstarch and remaining water. Add to pot with coconut milk. Cook on medium heat 30 min. Stir lime juice into broth. Sauce: In food processor on high speed, process papaya, vinegar, chile pepper, onion, mustard, salt, allspice, garlic powder, ginger and cloves until smooth. Bring to boil in med. saucepan. Reduce heat to low; simmer, uncovered, 10-15 minutes. Pour into bowl. To serve, pour broth into heated 6-quart electric slow cooker or hot pot. Cook shrimp and scallops in broth about 5 minutes, or until cooked through, stirring occasionally. Place some rice in bowl then ladle broth and seafood over top. Stir in Papaya Pica Sauce and top with shredded coconut and pepper slices, if desired. ❚ Source: Family Features

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R  O R

Dancers Present Lively ‘Cipollino’ May 5 & 6 By Peggy Werner

ockford Dance Company’s spring production, “Cipollino,” promises to be lively and colorful, with lots of dancers and fast-paced fun. But it also communicates a powerful message relevant to people of all ages, says Emily Cooke, executive director and artistic coordinator. “The story is about friendship and how people can overcome difficult times and adversity if they just have each others’ backs,” says Cooke. “When you think of what is happening in our world today, with all the political divisiveness and the widening gap between the haves and have-nots, the message of harmoniously working together will strike a chord with people.” The production will take place at 2 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday, May 5 & On the Cover: Rockford Dance Co. Alumna Martina Berger. Photo by Greg Farnham

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6, at Hononegah Performing Arts Center, 307 Salem St., Rockton. With more than 120 dancers featured, every member and student of the dance company plays a role. The ballet is choreographed by Rolando Yanes, director of the Milwaukee School and Academy, who created an original work of the same ballet. This is his second ballet with the Rockford Dance Company. Last season, he helped them to bring “Snow White” to life. By the time the production is staged, Yanes will have worked with the dancers for 10 weekends, helping them to identify with their characters and each other. He condensed the three-act ballet to a twoact, one-hour production, removing aspects of political strife that were in the book which inspired the ballet. Cipollino, or “little onion,” is a fictional character from a 1957 book called

April 25

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Rolando Yanes

“Adventures of Cipollino” by Italian author Gianni Rodari. It’s a children’s story about political oppression and the power of the human spirit. It’s set in a fairytale town where fruits and vegetables embody

R  O R human traits and emotions. The story follows the difficulties of class struggle and shows how the characters endure tough times by banding together. It takes a close look at good and evil. “The whole thing I want people to see is the power of friendship and the self-confidence it builds in each person – and in a community – when we work to get along,” Yanes says. “I love this story because it’s about every kid who’s been in trouble, made mistakes, but learned from them.” Audiences love the production, he says. “It’s a fun story and the music is very lively,” he adds. “There are a lot of dancers on stage, and vibrant-colored scenery and costumes. The dances are very energetic, and I believe the ballet will keep the audience engaged the whole time.” Yanes was trained at the Professional School of the Arts and Vocational School of Ballet in his homeland, Villa Clara, Cuba, and was a principal dancer

with Cuba’s Ballet de Camaguey. In 1995 he was awarded the silver medal at the prestigious International Ballet Competition in Brasilia, Brazil. He came to the U.S. the following year as a principal dancer with the Milwaukee Ballet and starred in many lead roles. He’s been in his present position in Mil- ‘Cipollino’ is about friendship and fighting unfairness together. waukee since 2004 and has served as a judge in international and naCipollino runs away and makes new tional ballet competitions. friends who join his mission to fight what “Cipollino” opens with all characters they believe to be an unfair law. Magnoin the village enjoying a dance as Cipollia, who represents pure goodness, gets lino makes an entrance. Joy turns into reinvolved, and eventually everyone is free bellion when Prince Lemon announces a to enjoy the sun, wind and rain again at new law in which everyone is required to no charge. The friends build a new town pay for his or her fair share of sunshine, in which everyone lives together in peace. rain and wind. When mob hysteria erupts, Tickets can be purchased at rockPrince Lemon is accidently stepped on by forddancecompany.com, at the RiverCipollino. The angry prince wants the view Museum Park, 711 N. Main St., or young boy arrested. by calling (815) 963-3341. ❚

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$75 for the 75th campaig n Help the International Women’s Baseball Center with their plans to offer free, family-friendly events for Friday, June 1 - Sunday, June 3, 2018 to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of our beloved Rockford Peaches! Join in the $75 for 75th Campaign by donating money to IWBC by May 18, 2018. Donations can be sent to Illinois Bank & Trust, c/o Walt Boothe, 6855 E. Riverside Blvd., Rockford, IL 61114. Checks of any amount can be made out to “IWBC” and be sure to write “Peaches 75th” in the memo line. internationalwomensbaseballcenter.org

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Y T

It’s ‘Not that Hard’ to Pay Less for Tech By Peggy Werner

customer walks into EZ Satellite and Wireless, 6239 N. 2nd St. in Loves Park, and within a few minutes leaves happier than when he came in, after finding out how to pay less for internet, phone and television services. During the customer’s visit, EZ Satellite and Wireless Owner and General Manager Charles Zambrano asks him questions about the number of televisions in his home, his favorite channels, whether he enjoys streaming and recording, how many phones he has and if he needs high-speed internet. Zambrano’s goal is to help every customer save money. “Most customers are paying too much, up to $250 for phone, television and internet. I can save them $50 to $100 per month. With every customer, I can offer them the best each company has to offer,” he says. “A lot of people are not happy with

their tech services, but they’re afraid to change or don’t have time to do the research to find a better deal. It’s not that hard to get a better deal and start saving money,” he says. Zambrano’s business has doubled since he moved it to the Loves Park location from Roscoe two years ago. Although he plans to open a second store in the future, a more immediate goal is to start selling, installing and servicing security cameras and surveillance systems within the next few months. What sets his business apart from others, he says, is personal attention, good customer service and honesty. “I make sure the customers know exactly what they are getting and that they are not paying for services they don’t want or need,” he says.

EZ Satellite &Wireless is an authorized dish network retailer licensed to offer services from any other provider using dish, cable, internet and home security, such as Rise Broadband, Comcast, Frontier, HughesNet, DirectTV, Digitenna and Protect America. Learn more by calling EZ Satellite & Wireless at (815) 957-4335 or by visiting the office. ❚

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How to Prevent a Painful Neck Injury By Peggy Werner

ours of texting, desk work, reading and writing can put a strain on your neck and back, causing pain and changes in the spine that will force your head forward and lead to other problems, if not addressed, says Dr. Brittany McMullen, Chiropractic Physician with Chris Scott Wellness, 1752 Windsor Road, Suite 202. “Almost everyone I see has a flat neck from looking down too much. What happens is you begin to lose the natural forward curve of the spine in your neck and so the body does things to compensate for the change, which leads to more posture issues, neck and back tension, and headaches,” she says. To help alleviate pain and correct neck alignment, McMullen has started using the Posture Pump Disk Hydrator in her treatment regime. A patient places his or her head and

neck in the device. Straps are strategically placed around the head for stability. A hand pump controls the air pressure in the pillow-like part of the device under the neck to lift and lower the spine and lubricate the joints. McMullen says she has used the pump before and is happy to introduce it to patients at the Loves Park office. Meanwhile, people can do a lot to help themselves by paying attention to good posture, looking forward instead of down when reading, taking breaks from

looking down and doing neck stretches and shoulder rolls. Looking down much of the day puts a lot of strain on a small part of the anatomy. Studies have shown looking down at a cell phone for long periods of time is like putting a 60-pound weight on your neck. McMullen says the pump also helps with symptoms caused by budging discs, such as pain, tightening, and tingling in the arms and hands. “It’s very effective because we’re stretching the muscles and the ligaments and pushing the bones in the direction we want them to go, and it’s safe enough to use every day,” she says. McMullen’s office hours are from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 6 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays and from 1 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Reach her by calling (815) 977-3747. ❚

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

Real. Original. SM

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

ILLINOIS, USA

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

Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau NWQ_fall.indd 1

102 N. Main St.

Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Tourism

Attractions & Events

'Night Watch' Thru April 29, Fri.-Sat. 7 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. A suspenseful mystery. Elaine Wheeler claims she’s seen not one, 1.800.521.0849 but two bodies from the window Rockford, IL 61101 gorockford.com of her Manhattan townhouse. Janesville Little Theatre, JPAC, 408 S. Main St., Janesville, (608) 758-0297, janesvillepac.org.

Rockford's Emily Bear will perform at the Coronado on May 5 as part of a very special Lincoln Academy event.

9/10/07 2:07:37 PM

'Enchanted April' Thru May 6, Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. In this romantic comedy, two frustrated London housewives decide to rent a villa in Italy for a holiday from their bleak marriages. Pec Playhouse Theatre, 314 Main St., Pecatonica, Ill., (815) 239-1210, pecplayhouse.org. Spielberg 'The Early Years' April 25, noon & 7 p.m., “Raiders of the Lost Ark”; April 29, noon, “E.T. The ExtraTerrestrial.” Lindo Theatre, 115 S. Chicago Ave., Freeport, (815) 233-0413, classiccinemas.com. RAM Open Mic Night April 26, 6-8 p.m. Share your own or listen to original poetry, storytelling, music and more at this after-hours event in the galleries. All ages welcome, performances begin at 6:30. Rockford Art Museum (RAM), 711 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 968-2787, rockfordartmuseum.org. 'Clybourne Park' April 26-28 & May 3-5, 8:30 p.m. Inspired by Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun,” this comedy-drama unflinchingly explores race, segregation and gentrification. Neese Performing Arts Center, Beloit College, 700 College St., Beloit, (608) 363-2000, beloit.edu. Big Band & Royal Scots Concert April 27, 7:30 p.m. Enjoy an evening of the musical sounds of the Highland Big Band and the vocal music of the Royal Scots. Ferguson Fine Arts Theatre, Highland Community College, 2998 W. Pearl City Road, Freeport, (815) 2356127, highland.edu. 'Little Shop of Horrors' April 27-29 & May 4-6, Fri.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. A musical comedy involving a carnivorous plant. Byron Civic Theater, Byron Middle School, 850 N. Colfax St., Byron, Ill., (815) 3123000, bctmagic.com. RSO: Celebrating Bernstein April 28, 7:30 p.m. Join the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the American composer’s birth with Bernstein’s “Divertimento,” the

Mendelssohn Chorale performing “Chichester Psalms” and Symphonic Dances from “West Side Story.” RSO, Coronado Theater. Tickets: (815) 965-0049, rockfordsymphony.com. Mal-O-Dua April 29, 7 p.m. The Madison-based group artfully blends “Hot Hawaiian and French guitar sorcery” to create a fresh new sound. JustGoods Listening Room, 201 7th St., Rockford, (815) 965-8903, rockfordlisteningroom.com. Rockford University Spring Concert May 4, 7:30 p.m. Music for the season, featuring Rockford University’s Regent Singers, Women’s Ensemble and Vocal Collective. Maddox Theatre, Rockford University, Rockford, (815) 226-4100, rockford.edu. Joe Jencks May 4, 7:30 p.m. Whether playing Carnegie Hall, the Lincoln Center or festivals and coffee houses, Rockford native and folk artist Jencks enchants listeners by skillfully weaving stories of social consciousness, spiritual exploration and musical beauty. MPAC, Mendelssohn Hall, (815) 964-9713, mendelssohnpac.org. Read more in Winter 2018 Northwest Quarterly Magazine. Lincoln Academy Concert & Convocation May 5, 5:30 p.m. Eight Illinoisans will be inducted as Lincoln Laureates, two of themfrom Rockford. Pianist/composer Emily Bear will perform a piece she wrote for this event; RSO will perform a composition written for this event by music director Steve Larsen. Concert is free but registration is required. Learn more at theLincolnAcademyofIllinois.org. Coronado Theater, 314 N. Main St., Rockford, Ill., (815) 756-3728, kishorchestra.org. Budding Artists Gala Fundraiser May 11, 6-9 p.m. The Kiwanis Club of Rockford will present its 5th annual gala fundraiser featuring the sale of local artwork and live music. Mauh-Nah-Tee-See Country Club in Rockford. Tickets $50; learn more at kiwanisclubofrockford.com and see story on p. 29. ❚

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April 25

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Healthful, Fresh Fare at Thrive Cafe

By Peggy Werner

n expanded menu, longer hours, new equipment and new seasonal items at Thrive Café, 6731 Broadcast Parkway, are making the Rockford area a much healthier place to live. Owner Jason Rager is a personal trainer and has a strong commitment to helping people live healthier lives by making all menu items from fresh ingredients with no additional fat, sugar or dairy products. “Customers are so excited about what we have to offer,” says Rager. “Because everything is fresh and made to order, we get a lot of people wanting to eat healthier because they are ill or on a special diet, or just following a national trend of everyone wanting to eat healthier.” New this spring are items that can be made with hot food because of a new grill that was installed earlier this year. All bowls, wraps and salads can

be topped with grilled chicken, salmon or tuna and hot vegetables. Other new items are cleansing vegetable juices, cashew nut milk, shrimp spring rolls, a vegetable quiche and a caramelized onion and mushroom quiche, both made with a sweet potato crust. All salad dressings are made in house and are gluten-free and dairy-free. Among the most popular protein smoothie is the “Cool Down,” made with Almond Milk, Spinach, natural peanut butter, banana, protein powder and cinnamon. Exotic fruit smoothies include the Dragon Slayer, made with Dragon Fruit, coconut water, banana, pineapple, mango and chia seeds. Super food micro bites are made with peanut butter, granola, guiltless chocolate or tropical mango. Rager started out in the summer of 2015 with Thrive Café at Peak Sports

Club, 4401 Peak Drive, specializing in freshly made cold pressed juices and smoothies, and that location remains open. He opened the second location about a year ago, with an expanded menu and seating for up to 20 people. Thrive Café on Broadcast Parkway is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and closed on Sundays. ❚ ❚

Top Picks for Local Restaurants Baci’s Kitchen  Fast-Casual American and Italian specialties, Giordano’s  Casual/Italian. Stuffed pizza, salads, entrees, dine-in, carry-out. 2990 N. Perryville Road, inside A Perryville sandwiches, desserts. 33 Executive Parkway, Rockford, (815) Place. (815) 329-6922. Open 7 days/wk. at 8 a.m. BkLD. Com- 398-5700. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11 pm. plete menu at Baciskitchen.com. GreenFire  Upscale-Casual/American contemporary. SeaBravo Pizza  Italian/American. 376 Prairie Hill Road, South Be- sonal cuisine; local-sourced ingredients; gourmet market; loit, Ill., (815) 624-7900. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11pm. $. live entertainment. 6795 E. Riverside Blvd., Rockford, (815) Capital House  Fine dining, sushi bar, gourmet coffee (martini 316-3473. BkLD M-F 11am, Sat-Sun 8am. Bar open late. $$$.

bar awaiting liquor license). 308 W. State St., Rockford, (815) 708- Hearthrock Cafe  Restaurant/cafe. Baked goods, coffee, 8989. BLD M-Th 8am-4pm, Fri. 8 am-10pm, Sat. 11am-10pm. breakfast, lunch. Inside Benson Stone Co., 1100 11th St., Closed Sunday. $-$$$. Rockford, (815) 227-2000. BkL M-F 7:30am-3pm; Sat. 8amCiao Bella Ristorante Upscale-Casual/Italian-American. Dai- 3pm. $-$$.

ly specials. 6500 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park, Ill. (815) 654- Maciano’s Pizza & Pastaria  Casual. Pizza, Italian favor9900. LD M-F 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sat. 5-10 p.m. $$ ites, beer & wine. 6746 Broadcast Pkwy., Loves Park, Ill., Costa’s Ristorante  Upscale-Casual/Italian. 133 Blackhawk (815) 633-7500; 5801 Columbia Pkwy., Rockford, (815) 2275577. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11pm. $$. Dr., Byron, Ill., (815) 234-4707. LD Daily 4pm. $-$$.

Cucina di Rosa  Italian Bistro/Bakery 1620 Bell School Road, Prairie Street Brewhouse  Upscale-Casual/American. 200 Rockford, (815) 395-5040. BkLD. Homemade gelato, baked Prairie St., Rockford, (815) 277-9427. LD Sun-W 11am-10pm, Th to midnight, F-Sat to 2am. $-$$. goods, pasta, frittatas, more. M-Sat 7am-9pm. $$ Dos Reales Mexican Restaurant  Casual/Mexican. Authen- Taco Betty’s  Casual/Mexican-American. 212 E. State St., tic dishes, lunch menu. 5855 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 227- Rockford, (815) 977-5650. LD Daily 11am-1am. $$. 4979. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 10:30pm. $-$$.

Thrive Café  Casual/Cafe. Salads, wraps, sandwiches, smoothies, cold-pressed juices. Inside Peak Fitness, 4401 Peak Fresco at the Gardens.  Casual/American Café. Fresh, local-sourced ingredients. 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, Drive, Loves Park, Ill. BkLD M-F 6am-8pm, Sat 8am-2pm. ❚ (815) 316-2256. BkL Daily 7am-3pm. $$

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April 25

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In the Spotlight Bravo Pizza

ith more than 40 years in the restaurant business, Joe Ocello knows how to create an authentic dining experience. Since opening the first Bravo Pizza & Italian Restaurant location in 2001 with wife Francesca, the couple has been refining its classic Italian fare. Most items are made from scratch, ensuring a home-made meal with fresh ingredients. The Italian beef, served au jus or with tomato meat sauce, was named Best in the Stateline by MyStateline.com in 2013. Top sellers include Italian meatball sandwiches, fettucine Alfredo and fish specials. “We make it all ourselves. Each meatball is about a quarter pound apiece, so they’re huge,” says Ocello. Bravo has locations in South Beloit and Poplar Grove. Both offer a full-service bar, catering, carry-out and delivery services. Learn more at Bravopizzarestaurant.com. ❚

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‘Budding Artists’ Kiwanis Event is May 11 T

he Kiwanis Club of Rockford (KCOR) will present its 5th annual gala fundraiser, Budding Artists, on Friday, May 11, from 6-9 p.m. at the MauhNah-Tee-See Country Club in Rockford. Tickets are $50 each and can be purchased through a KCOR member, online at kiwanisclubofrockford.com or by mailing a check payable to Kiwanis Charities to P. O. Box 8472, Rockford, IL, 61126. Budding Artists is an event that showcases and supports young artists and teaches them about philanthropy. Selected artists from eight local high schools – Rockford Public Schools District 205, Boylan Catholic and Rockford Lutheran – will showcase their original work and earn 50 percent of the sale of each art piece sold during the live auction. The students also are eligible to apply for an education scholarship through KCOR. Three $1,000 scholarships will be award-

ed and each school’s art department will receive $250 to use as needed. From 6 to 7 p.m., guests will view art, mingle and enjoy an appetizer buffet and cash bar while listening to live music by high school violinist Aria Beerdt and her mother, Rachel Handlin, on keyboard. Attendees will be invited to contribute to a community art painting, “A Little Dab’ll Do It,” to be auctioned off at the end of the evening. The painting will be coordinated by Charlotte Hackin, an internationally recognized artist and KCOR member. The program will begin at 7 p.m. with remarks followed by a live auction with bids starting at $100 per piece. Charity auctioneer Don Banks and Ken Freeman, owner/operator of Irene Auction

Service, will provide their lively services. Profits support the participating student artists, each school’s art program and KCOR, which awards funds to local groups that help children. Budding Artists major sponsors include Alpine Bank/ Midland States Bank and SwedishAmerican, a Division of UW Health. Among the groups KCOR helps to support are CASA, NLI, KFACT, Rockford Area Arts Council, Ethnic Heritage Museum, Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts, Boys and Girls Club, Rockford Day Nursery, Burpee Museum, Rockford Rescue Mission, Rockford Park District, Rock House Kids, Rockford Day Nursery, Burpee Museum and Rockford Park District. The 2018 President of Kiwanis Club of Rockford is Don Terasaki. Learn more at KiwanisClubofRockford.com. ❚

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