Smart L iving Weekly Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • Rockford Region/Beloit/Freeport 95¢ • September 20, 2017
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Right in Our Region
Nik’s Home Run Event Fundraiser
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Dining Fun at Owly Oop Fall Prairie Harvest at Nygren ‘Four Icons’ Adds Second Concert How to Avoid Buying a Flood-Damaged Car
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$25 Gift Card from GreenFire Restaurant
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In This Issue
Right in Our Region ........................Cover & p. 16 Nik’s Home Run Your Home .................................................. ..... 11 New Luxury Vinyl Tile Flooring Inspiration & Worship ......................................12 About Money Your Kitchen .....................................................15 Spaghetti and Turkey Meatballs Recipe Your Health ............................................. .......... 23 New Cataract Treatments Your Community ............................................. ..21 Mostly Cats Open House Your Fun ................................................... ......... 25
Dining Locally .......................................... ........ 26 Owly Oop Your Outing ....................................................9,19 NLI Fall Prairie Harvest; Four Icons Concert Your Money .............................................. ......... 29 How to Avoid Buying a Flood-Damaged Car
Smart L iving Weekly ™
Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes
Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden
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Managing Editor Janine Pumilia Assistant Managing Editor Lindsey Gapen Deputy Editor Jermaine Pigee Graphics Director Blake Nunes Graphic Designer Samantha Ryan Contributing Writer Peggy Werner, Paula Kalivoda Furniss General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes Advertising Sales Representatives Brian Hughes, Jeremy Jones, Nita Lasky, Steven Wysong Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes Website www.SmartLivingWeekly.com
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Published by Hughes Media Corp. 222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104 (815) 316-2300, Fax: (815) 316-2301 lhughes@northwestquarterly.com Smart Living Weekly. Copyright 2017 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.
No Time for TV
W
hat great weather we had for SO MANY events last weekend, right? There was Hot Diggity Dog at Klehm, the Pec Thing flea market, the Greenwich Village Art Fair – which drew artists from across the Midwest – to name only a few. Saturday evening, the hubby and I enjoyed Picnic en Plein Air, an outdoor fundraiser held on Water Street in downtown Rockford, hosted by and for our River District Association. This group really does its part to keep downtown on its positive trajectory. Before dinner, we were sipping drinks by the riverfront when a pontoon boat pulled up to the shoreline. A man carrying pizza boxes jumped into the boat before we realized the driver was my brother Brad. He and his friends collected supper from Woodfire Brick Oven Pizza and sped off to enjoy it with their wives on the water. “How cool is that?” we thought. A beautiful night on the Rock with great friends, great local food and no hassle getting in and out of the river or, for those of us who don’t own boats, finding a pleasant spot alongside it. It’s a simple pleasure we take for granted in Midwest river towns like Rockford. Driving home, we checked out the special Bruce Munro artwork at Nicholas Conservatory. Folks were strolling the paths around the pond and through the rose garden, just soaking up the starry night. On Sunday, after the hubby rode the trails of Lockwood and Anna Page parks with his horse buddies, we joined them for a potluck. Disc golfers were practicing at Anna Page and hundreds of people were involved in a statelevel BMX tournament at Searles Park; still others were romping with their unleashed pooches inside the Searles dog park. Tired out by Sunday night, we turned on the Emmy award show only to realize how out of touch we are with pop culture. When you live in this region, who needs TV? Have a great week and enjoy your many, many outdoor options! ❚ Janine Pumilia Managing Editor
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‘Four Icons’ Concert Adds Second Event L
arge crowds often turn out for concerts featuring Chip Messiner, Denny Diamond, or the Trinadora duo comprised of Ron Holm and Jannie Nelson. Each one of these versatile stateline musicians is a local favorite. But when the four of them team up for a tribute program that honors Patsy Cline (Nelson), Roy Orbison (Holm), John Denver (Messiner) and Neil Diamond (Diamond), audience size leaps to an even higher level. It’s therefore no surprise that a 3 p.m. Sept 24 concert featuring all four singers performing 30-minute concerts that honor their respective tribute favorites sold out before it was formally advertised. In response to the community’s strong interest, the four singers and their bands are offering a second performance at 7 p.m. The 7 p.m. concert will take place in the J.R. Sullivan Theater at Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main St., Rockford. Doors
BLACK & WHITE CONCERT, DANCE, & MASQUERADE BALL AT KLEHM ARBORETUM Saturday 10/28 7pm to 11pm.
Roy Orbison’s Songs by Trinadora Rocks Tickets $15 online at www.klehm.org or phone 815-979-1949. $20 at the door.
2715 S. Main St. Rockford, IL
open at 6:15 p.m. and the music begins at 7 p.m. Accompanists include Tim Austin, John Bishoff, Luke Svehla, Spenser Svehla and Jim Vancko. Some street-side parking is available, as well as off-street parking in the lot across Main Street from Nordlof Center and in the parking ramp at the northwest corner of State and Main. Nordlof Center, owned by Rockford Public Library, offers stair-free, comfortable seating and ideal acoustics. Advanced tickets may be purchased for $15 at fouricons.brownpapertickets. com. Persons who are unable to buy tickets online may call (815) 979-1949 and arrange to purchase advanced tickets via mail at the $15 price.
Jannie Nelson and Ron Holm
If the event doesn’t sell out in advance, at-the-door tickets will be available for $20. A percentage of proceeds will be donated to the Rockford Rescue Mission. Visit dennydiamond.com or email trinadoramusic@gmail.com for details. ❚
Advance tickets $15 or $20 at door
(Klehm contact info)
Costumes optional. Which celebrity will you be?
Light snacks and cash bar. 50% of net proceeds will be donated to Klehm.
Trinadora Rocks is Ron “Roy” Holm, Jannie Nelson, Tim Austin, & John Bishoff.
www.trinadora.com 815-979-1949 A few upcoming Trinadora highlights: 9/20 6:00pm UUC 4848 Turner St 9/22 5:30pm Stockholm Inn 9/24 3pm & 7:00pm Nordlof Center 9/29 7:00pm Pig Minds Brewing 9/30 7:00pm Betty’s Western Wear 10/6 6:00pm Gene’s Place 10/20 7:00pm Belvidere Moose Lodge 10/21 6:30pm Eagles Club 11/10 6:00pm Gene’s Place 11/17 6:00pm Lyran Society Hall *Many more at www.trinadora.com*
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Luxury Vinyl Tile: Functional and Stylish By Janine Pumilia ust like other home materials, flooring is trending toward handsome but easy-care materials, says Kevin Rose, president of CarpetlandUSA Colortile, 326 N. Alpine Road, Rockford. “The most innovative new thing in the flooring world is luxury vinyl, which comes in planks (LVP) or in tiles (LVT),” says Rose. “People are thrilled with how good it looks and how well it wears.” Not to be confused with the plasticlooking vinyl floors of yesterday, luxury vinyl imitates natural wood and stone products with uncanny accuracy. The image on the surface of the vinyl is topped with a durable finish that resists stains, scratches and dents. Vinyl products are softer and warmer underfoot than real stone or tile and far easier to install, although Rose still recommends professional installation. Unlike laminate flooring, which can disintegrate in moisture, or solid wood
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floors, which can warp in the Midwest’s fluctuating humidity, “Luxury vinyl is 100 percent waterproof, which means it can be used in basements, bathrooms, laundry rooms, kitchens and anyplace moisture could be a problem,” says Rose. Trending now are much wider planks and also much larger tile sizes. Hard-surface flooring continues to gain ground over carpet. Luxury vinyl is taking market share away from laminate flooring, but solid wood and engineered wood floors are still wildly popular. We’re covering fewer square feet of our homes in carpet these days, but it’s still highly valued in certain rooms for its warmth, softness and beauty, especially in four-season climates like ours. “Carpet was probably 65 percent of our business 10 years ago and now it’s 50 percent,” says Rose. “We’re still laying a lot of carpet.” Rose says the durability of carpet
varies greatly and “you really do get what you pay for” when it comes to choosing a carpet of good fiber with adequate face weight, density and twist. Carpetland is the longest continually running flooring store in Rockford and has a second location in Sycamore, at 1719 DeKalb Ave. ❚
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About Money F
or many of us, no subject in the Bible is more difficult to tackle than the proper role of money in our lives. It’s a rare person who embraces the truth that all we possess – indeed our every breath and heartbeat, too – belongs to God the creator. Much of Jesus’ministry was devoted to this subject. Luke 12:15-21 (NIV) says : Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” To be rich toward God is to be rich toward one another. Says Jesus in Matthew 25 34-44: “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’” ❚ – Janine Pumilia
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Memory-Making Meals For Busy Families M
ost families are looking for ways to spend more time together, but managing the family schedule can be a daunting task. Use these tips to help create dinner time memories with your family. Designate a time. Write dinner time on a calendar in the kitchen so every family member is aware of this special time and can look forward to sitting down together. Rely on foods rooted in tradition. Experimenting with recipes can add new favorites to the family meal repertoire like Spaghetti and Turkey Meatballs, a modern twist on the nostalgic family classic. Create rituals. To build tradition in the kitchen, try involving the family by showing your kids age-appropriate ways to contribute to their favorite meal. Put down your phone. Ignore your phone to allow for time to reconnect with your loved ones and be fully present. Create dinner table topics. Making the table a fun place to be is the best strat-
egy for getting your family to dinner and keeping them at the table longer. Find more recipes at RAGU.com or on Facebook.
Spaghetti and Turkey Meatballs 10 ounces spaghetti 1 pound (85 percent lean) ground turkey 1/2 cup Italian-seasoned, bread crumbs 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/4 cup chopped Italian parsley 1 egg, beaten 3/4 cup water, divided 1/2 tsp. kosher salt 1 Tb. extra-virgin olive oil 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper 1 jar RAGÚ Homestyle Traditional Sauce Cook pasta as directed on package, omitting salt; keep warm.
Combine turkey, bread crumbs, Parmesan, parsley, egg, 1/4 cup water and salt. Shape mixture into 25 (1 1/4-inch) meatballs. In large, nonstick saute pan on medium heat, heat olive oil, garlic and crushed red pepper. Add sauce and remaining water once garlic is golden. Arrange meatballs in sauce; cover and cook 10 minutes, or until cooked through (165 F), stirring occasionally. Serve with cooked spaghetti and additional Parmesan, if desired. ❚ Source: Family Features
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6th Annual Nik’s Home Run on Oct. 14 By Brian Lyngaas
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he sixth annual Nik’s Home Run 7K Race, 1.5 mile Fun Walk, Virtual Run and Silent Auction will take place Oct. 14 at the Rockford Rivets Stadium. Come at 8 a.m. for the start of the Silent Auction, which runs until 10:30 a.m. Get a sneak peek of Silent Auction items late Friday, Oct. 13, when you pick up your race packet. The 7K Race starts at 9 a.m. and the Fun Walk shortly thereafter. Admission to the Silent Auction is free. For details on events, and to register, go to the nikolasritschelfoundation.org website. All registrants will receive goody bags and a chance to win two Chicago Bears game tickets. The first 200 registrants are guaranteed a COOL event T-shirt. Nik’s Home Run is the major fundraising event for the Nikolas Ritschel Foundation (NRF). This hometown
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charity is similar to the Make-A-Wish Foundation for children, but instead serves young adults ages 18 to 24 who are fighting cancer. Wishes include respite family vacations (often to Disneyworld), unique experiences like swimming with dolphins, and even small but cherished gifts like iPhones. Each wish fulfillment brings lasting memories, hope and renewed energy to young adults and their families as they continue their ongoing, very difficult cancer battle. One mother told NRF, “Thank you for providing us the happiest time in the saddest time of our lives.” Since its inception nearly six years ago, the foundation has fulfilled the wishes of 72 young adults from 17 states, delivering
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a total of more than $250,000 worth of fun. Each wish costs about $5,000. The hope at this year’s event is to raise enough money to fulfill 15 new wishes that are currently in the pipeline. Rockford resident Kelli Ritschel Boehle founded NRF and serves as its executive director. “It all started with my son, Nik, who was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma just
R O R before his 18th birthday,” she explains. “Nik knew the emotional side of the cancer battle and experienced firsthand the strong, positive difference programs like Make-A-Wish provide.” Nik’s good friend, Nate, was diagnosed with a similar cancer just months after his 18th birthday, making him ineligible for Make-A-Wish. “When Nik heard this and discovered similar organizations also end their programs at age 18, he asked me several times to help,” says Ritschel Boehle. “I was too busy supporting his cancer fight to listen. The night before Nik died, he made one more plea by playing a Dave Matthews song. The lyrics say, ‘to change the world, start with one step … however small, the first step is hardest of all.’ “At the time, little did I know it would be Nik’s last request or that the seed planted by his request would grow into a foundation to fulfill the wishes of young adults fighting cancer. “Our first step helped Nate, who
was from Idaho, with a respite trip to California,” explains Ritschel Boehle. “We next helped Stephanie and William, from Pennsylvania, with family trips to Florida, and then Amanda and Jacob, from Illinois, with respite trips to Disney.” This important work continues, but only with support from the public. Funds are raised from the Silent Auction and registration fees for the Race, Fun Walk and Virtual Run. But NRF’s major funding source is from race sponsorships. At Nik’s Home Run, banners will illustrate the unique stories of those served by Nik’s Wish. Participants may dedicate their race to someone special by adding a photo to the Dreaming Tree. Adds Ritschel Boehle, “Please take your first step toward helping us to help more young adult cancer patients, by joining us at the Nik’s Home Run event on Oct. 14.” Go to nikolasritschelfoundation.org to learn morel. ❚
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eet Zackary O’Connor, from Belvidere, who’s been waging a battle with lymphoma. Thanks to Nik’s Wish, he and his family celebrated the end of his treatment with a deep sea fishing trip to Anna Maria Island, Fla. “Cancer not only took its toll on me, but on my mom, dad, brother and girlfriend as well,” says Zak. “This respite trip gave us the opportunity to put behind all the stress and just enjoy being together and happy. “We made some of the best memories that I’ve ever had. I always wanted to go deep sea fishing and catch some big fish that I’ve never caught before. All the people that I met were such selfless and amazing people who went the extra mile to make this trip truly special to me and my loved ones. It would have never happened without the wonderful people who put together this foundation.” ❚
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Seed-Collecting Event Helps Restore Prairies By Janine Pumila, managing editor
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here may be a better way to spend an autumn Saturday morning than collecting seeds in a beautiful natural area, but it’s hard to imagine. To that end, Natural Land Institute (NLI) will host an annual Fall Prairie Harvest Day at Nygren Wetland Preserve on Saturday, Sept. 23 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. “It’s amazing to see how much people enjoy being outside working with the wildflowers,” says Kimberly Wheeler Johnsen, director of membership and marketing at NLI. And prairie restoration matters. A lot. “Just 1/100 of 1 percent of the native prairie that once existed in Illinois still exists,” she says. “Many animals and plants depend on prairie habitat to survive and prairies also help to filter water that supplies our aquifers.” Among the wildlife dependent upon prairies is the monarch butterfly, whose numbers have
severely declined due to disappearing habitat for the milkweed it needs. The good news is that, with much work and patience, prairies can be restored. Located at 3190 W. Rockton Road, the Nygren Wetland Preserve is a 721-acre natural area and wildlife refuge owned by NLI. Since 2000, NLI staff and volunteers have helped restore the variety of prairie, wetland and woodland habitats found there. The annual fall seed collection event has helped with the ongoing restoration for the past 17 years. Collecting seeds from native prairie wildflowers is an enjoyable and valuable community service activity for all ages. Individuals, families, Scout troops, 4-H clubs, church and corporate groups have taken part in past years, says Johnsen Wheeler.
Volunteers can come work anytime between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., but should allow one to two hours for collecting seeds. NLI staff teaches volunteers how to identify native wildflowers and collect seeds from them. NLI will dry and store the seeds during the winter and plant them during spring thaw in the prairies at Nygren Wetland Preserve. Registration is required for this free event by Friday, Sept. 22. Register online naturalland.org or call (815) 964-6666. ❚
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Mostly Cats Celebrates 25th with Open House By Peggy Werner
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ostly Cats Veterinary Clinic, 4901 N. Perryville Road, will celebrate its 25th anniversary with an open house showcasing how it meets the needs of pets, while raising money for another need. All money raised during the open house from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23rd, will be donated to the American Red Cross to help victims of Hurricane Harvey. Pets are welcome and can get nail trims for $15 and a microchip for $25. Money for the cause will also be raised through the sale of raffle tickets and silent auction items. Prizes will include a 72-inch cat tree; a 30-minute session for Dog Paddle Beach, a swim club for dogs in Loves Park; a knitted pet bed with toys; a metal planter shaped like a cat; an Ice Hogs goodie bag and more. Kona Ice will provide refreshments.
Dr. Sharon Schamberger, founder and owner of Mostly Cats, got the idea for her business after observing the unique needs of cats from a friend who raised them. As a veterinarian since 1983, she also cares for dogs and other pets at her clinic. “When people are happy because I have helped their pets have a better life, even if it means easing suffering at the end of life, I realize why I am here; to help people and do what I love to do,” she says. The open house will also feature building tours, demonstrations and children’s activities, including face painting, balloon animals, stuffed animal “surger-
ies,” and a petting zoo. Demonstrations will be provided by B & B Canine Company of Caledonia and Mostly Cats will show proper grooming techniques and discuss pet dental care. People will learn how to use Mostly Cat’s newest feature, Petly, an online health chart for pets, where owners can communicate with staff, request prescription refills, view test results and manage appointments. Want to adopt a cat? PAWS Humane Society will be available to help you find the perfect pet. ❚
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A New Cataract Treatment By Lindsey Gapen, assistant managing editor natural lens and replaces it with an artifir. Edward Yavitz has always had cial lens, called an intraocular lens (IOL). a passion for innovation. With 37 Yavitz introduced a new IOL called the patents to his name and new ones pendSymfony lens, which is the first and only ing, the ophthalmologist at Yavitz Eye lens that provides continuous, high-qualiCenter, 4105 N. Perryville Road, Loves ty vision at any distance. Park, values inventions that lead to an “There are limitations with other increased quality of life. Recently, he lenses,” Yavitz says. “The usual implant discovered a new way to use replacement provided by Medicare and health insurlens implants for people with cataracts. ers is focused just for distance – you still “Cataracts are a big topic,” Yavitz have to wear reading glasses to see at says. “They affect 50 percent of people arms length or closer. Multi-focal IOLs over age 60.” allow for both distance and reading viInside your eye, there’s a natural lens sion, but can cost up to $6,000 out of that helps you to see. The lens starts out pocket. Plus, distance vision isn’t quite as clear, but turns into a cataract after years sharp and there can be a glare at night. So, of sun damage that causes it to become the new Symfony IOL often solves these cloudy. According to the American Acadproblems.” emy of Ophthalmology, having a cataract Yavitz is writing a paper on the use of is like looking through a foggy car windthe Symfony lens in one eye only, which shield. Things are blurry, or less colorful. saves his patients thousands of dollars in To remove a cataract, surgery is necout-of-pocket costs. essary. An ophthalmologist removes your
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Edward Yavitz M.D.
“I discovered that by putting a singlefocus distance implant in the dominant eye and the Symfony implant in the nondominant eye, the overall vision is vastly superior,” Yavitz says. “I’m always looking for a better result and a happier patient who isn’t burdened with extra expense.” For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (815) 395-8338. ❚ (Paid Advertorial)
Want a second opinion? We give you one at every visit! The L.P. Johnson Family Health Center (FHC) trains resident physicians. Every time you see a resident physician, a seasoned family physician reviews your current condition. You benefit from the highest standards of family focused care. As the family medicine residency program for the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, FHC has trained more than 400 family medicine physicians, many of whom continue to provide care in our community. We accept most insurance and are open 8 am–8 pm Monday through Thursday and 8 am–5 pm on Fridays.
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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
AE: “Steel Magnolias” Through Sept. 24, Th.-Fri. 7:30 p.m., Sat. 4 & 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. The story of a group of gossipy southern ladies in a small-town beauty Rockford, 61101 1.800.521.0849 parlorIL whose interactions gorockford.com reveal deep strength of character. Artists’ Ensemble (AE), Cheek Theatre, Rockford University, 5050 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 394-5004, artistsensemble.org. 9/10/07 2:07:37 PM
Chabana & Zen Aesthetics Sept. 21, 7 p.m. Professor Gunji gives a brief history of Japanese flower arranging (Ikebana) and explains the characteristics and functions of tea flowers (chabana). Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, (815) 229-9390, andersongardens.org. Quintet Attica Sept. 22, 7:30 p.m. This dynamic wind ensemble prides itself on innovative, cutting-edge, but accessible programming. Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center (MPAC), Mendelssohn Hall, 406 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 964-9713, mendelssohnpac.org. Basket Weaving Workshop Sept. 23, 9 a.m. Construct a woven basket with expert Valerie LeFevre. Macktown Living History Center, 2221 Freeport Road, Rockton, Ill., (815) 624-4200, macktownlivinghistory.com. Fall Prairie Harvest Day Sept. 23, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Enjoy the end of summer by collecting seeds from native wildflowers and grasses. Registration req. Nygren Wetland Preserve, 3190 W. Rockton Road, Rockton, Ill., (815) 964-6666, naturalland.org. Autumn Pioneer Festival Sept. 23-24, Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Travel back to the 1800s for a look at the lifestyles and crafts of the day. Visit the voyaguers’ encampment and talk to a flintknapper, watch a gunsmith, try buffalo stew, pioneer fries, bean soup and apple butter. Gustafson Nature Center, 603 N. Appleton Road, Belvidere, (815) 547-7939, bccdil.org. World War II Days Sept. 23-24, Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. to 4 p.m. The largest WWII re-enactment in the Midwest brings together 1,300 re-enactors and more than 60 authentic vehicles. Tour encampments, watch skirmishes and large-scale narrated battles, listen to lectures and musical performances. Midway
Autumn Pioneer Festival takes you back to the 1800s from Sept. 23-24 at Gustafson Nature Center, in Belvidere.
Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford, (815) 397-9112, midwayvillage.com. Worldwide Day of Play Sept. 23, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Get off the couch and play on this official day to turn off electronics. Play indoor dodge ball, take part in a virtual snow boarding competition, race your friend, test your strength, and more. Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 9636769, discoverycentermuseum.org. Twilight Tour of Laurent House Sept. 23, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Tours at Frank Lloyd Wright's Laurent House take on a whole new sense of beauty and drama during twilight hours. Laurent House Museum, 4646 Spring Brook Road, (815) 877-2952, laurenthouse.com. Cline, Orbison, Denver, Diamond: Four Icons Sept. 24, 3 p.m. Local musicians Jannie Nelson, Ron Holm, Chip Messiner and Denny Diamond revive the voices and performances of Patsy Cline, Roy Orbison, John Denver and Neil Diamond, respectively. Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main St., Rockford. Tickets/Info: (815) 9791949, fouricons.brownpapertickets.com. Tranquility Walks Sept. 26, noon-1:30 p.m., Oct. 19, 9-10:30 a.m. Discover the healing powers of nature through silent walking meditations. Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden, 2715 S. Main St., Rockford, (815) 965-8146, klehm.org. Dog Days of Summer: Adopt a Pet Sept. 30, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary has furry friends that need a home. Find your new best friend. Hidden Treasures Mall & Antiques, 6329 N. 2nd St., Loves Park, call (815) 962-2767 for more information. ❚
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Sept. 20
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Owly Oop: A Slam Dunk in Downtown Rockford
By Lindsey Gapen, assistant managing editor
I
magine a 12-foot TV, a gigantic pretzel delivered on a baking sheet and a pint of craft beer in your hand. Then go find it at Owly Oop Sports Pub, inside the UW Health Sports Factory, 305 S. Madison St., Rockford. While you’re there, order a meal designed by Reed Sjostrom, Chris Manuel and Dustin Koch, the owners of Prairie Street Brewing Company who also run Owly Oops for Rockford Park District. “The view of the river is the first thing people notice when they walk in,” says Sjostrom. “You can see Davis Park and the federal courthouse, which you don’t normally see from any other vantage point.” On weeknights, the building is full of kids who participate in leagues for basketball, volleyball and other sports. Owly Oop is perched above the courts –
a great place for parents to enjoy themselves while watching their children play below. “It gets pretty crazy up here on weekends, especially if there’s a tournament,” Sjostrom says. “But it’s not just people who are using the facility – it’s also people who are simply coming to enjoy the space and to be a part of the atmosphere.” Naturally, Owly Oop is a haven for sports fans. Whether you want to watch NFL football or Premiere League soccer, the pub broadcasts both common and obscure sports, and takes requests. Having a craft brew from Prairie Street Brewing Company only enhances the experience. “The beer here is mostly the same as it is there – we try to keep our staples on tap,” Sjostrom says.
Top Picks for Local Restaurants
Giordano’s Casual/Italian. Stuffed pizza, salads, entrees, 9 East Coffee Casual/Coffeehouse. Specialty coffees, pas- sandwiches, desserts. 33 Executive Parkway, Rockford, (815) tries, breakfast, lunch. 9 E. Stephenson St., Freeport, (815) 398-5700. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11 pm. 233-7300. BkL M-F 7am-3pm, Sat to 2pm. $ GreenFire Upscale-Casual/American contemporary. SeaArturo’s Mexican Restaurant Casual/Authentic Mexican. 107 sonal cuisine; local-sourced ingredients; gourmet market; W. Main St., Poplar Grove, Ill., (815) 765-1144. LD M 11am-8pm, live entertainment. 6795 E. Riverside Blvd., Rockford, (815) T-Th to 9pm, F to 10pm, Sun noon-8pm. $. 316-3473. BkLD M-F 11am, Sat-Sun 8am. Bar open late. $$$. Big Papa’s Barbecue BBQ Specialties. 5811 Forest Hills Road, Hearthrock Cafe Restaurant/cafe. Baked goods, coffee, Rockford, (815) 904-6612. LD M-Th 11am-9pm, F-Sat 11 am- breakfast, lunch. Inside Benson Stone Co., 1100 11th St., 10pm, Sun 11am-7pm. $. Rockford, (815) 227-2000. BkL M-F 7:30am-3pm; Sat. 8am-
Bravo Pizza Italian/American. 376 Prairie Hill Road, South Be- 3pm. $-$$. loit, Ill., (815) 624-7900. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11pm. $. Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint Fine Dining. Ironworks Cannova’s Italian Cuisine Casual. 1101 W. Empire St., Free- Hotel, 500 Pleasant St., Beloit, (608) 313-0700. D Sun-Th port, (815) 233-0032. D T-Th, Sun 5-9pm; F-Sat 10pm. $-$$. 4:30-9pm, Fri-Sat to 10pm. $$.
Costa’s Ristorante Upscale-Casual/Italian. 133 Blackhawk Prairie Street Brewhouse Upscale-Casual/American. 200 Prairie St., Rockford, (815) 277-9427. LD Sun-W 11am-10pm, Dr., Byron, Ill., (815) 234-4707. LD Daily 4pm. $-$$. Th to midnight, F-Sat to 2am. $-$$. Cucina di Rosa Italian Bistro/Bakery 1620 Bell School Road, Rockford, (815) 395-5040. BkLD. Homemade gelato, baked Taco Betty’s Casual/Mexican-American. 212 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 977-5650. LD Daily 11am-1am. $$. goods, pasta, frittatas, more. M-Sat 7am-9pm. $$ Dos Reales Mexican Restaurant Casual/Mexican. Authen- Thrive Café Casual/Cafe. Salads, wraps, sandwiches, tic dishes, lunch menu. 5855 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 227- smoothies, cold-pressed juices. Inside Peak Fitness, 4401 Peak Drive, Loves Park, Ill. BkLD M-F 6am-8pm, Sat 8am-2pm. 4979. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 10:30pm. $-$$. Fresco at the Gardens. Casual/American Café. Fresh, lo- Vito’s Ristorante Casual/Fine Dining. Carry-out, steak & cal-sourced ingredients. 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, seafood, Italian specialties, pizza. 4866 Bluestem Road, Roscoe, Ill., (815) 312-5080. D M-Sat 4pm. $-$$. ❚ (815) 316-2256. BkL Daily 7am-3pm. $$ 26
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Sept. 20 To advertise call 815-316-2300
Owly Oop serves family-friendly pub fare with items in all calorie brackets. There are salads, hummus, a quinoaand-black-bean burger and other nourishing options. There are also burgers, sandwiches and Prairie Street’s fan-favorite cheese curds. Sauces are made in-house, and ingredients are locally sourced as much as possible. Hours for Owly Oop Sports Pub are Mon.-Thurs., 4-10:30 p.m.; Fri. 4-11 p.m.; Sat. 10:30 a.m.-11 p.m.; and Sun. 10:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Learn more at uwhealthsportsfactory.com/restaurant. ❚
In the Spotlight Vito’s Ristorante
V
ito Olszewski is a trained chef and third-generation master of all things delicious. His grandparents, Ferdinand and Frances D’Agostin, once ran D’Agostino’s, The Grotto, Auto Inn and The Stadium, so he grew up in the kitchen. At his own fine dining restaurant at 4866 Bluestem Road in Roscoe, Vito cooks up traditional Italian and American dishes as well as fresh soups and sauces. His signature Conchiglie alla Sarda is a shell pasta with ground sausage, tomato cream sauce and fresh peas. Other favorites include lobster ravioli, Saliccia con Pepperoni and Salmon with Seashell Pasta. From the grill, there’s Chicken Marsala, Red Snapper, a 20-oz. bone-in Cowboy Ribeye and much more. Vito’s is open Mon.-Sat. starting at 4 p.m. Reserve a table via opentable.com or vitoristorante.net. ❚
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Y M
How to Avoid Buying a Flood-Damaged Car S ometimes residents of a flooded area aren’t the only victims. Sadly, dishonest sellers sometimes hide a car’s flood damage history by “title washing.” “After the owners of damaged cars settle up with their insurance companies, vehicles are sometimes refurbished and resold in states unaffected by the disaster,” explains Rob Montoya, senior consumer advice editor for Edmunds.com. “Electrical and mechanical problems can potentially surface later, long after the seller is gone, leaving the buyer with an unreliable car and no recourse.” In the wake of disasters like hurricanes Harvey and Irma, state motor vehicle registries change titles of flooddamaged cars to a salvage or junk title, which alerts future buyers that the car was declared a total loss by an insurance agency because it sat in flood water deep enough to fill the engine compartment, says Montoya.
But about half of cars with salvage titles are resold in other states, most often through private-party sales or disreputable dealer lots. Reputable dealers use vehicle history reports to check cars and individuals can do the same. A good, low-cost starting point is the free flood title check from Carfax, says Montoya. “It will not only answer whether the vehicle had flood damage reported, but it also provides a link to buy the full-fledged vehicle history report. The National Motor Vehicle Title Information System, operated by the Department of Justice, has a number of reports you can buy from third-party companies, but they do little beyond what the free Carfax check provides.” In addition to getting a vehicle history report, the National Automobile Dealers Association recommends: 1. Be alert to unusual, musty odors and be wary if strong air freshener or
cleaning product odors are present. Run the air conditioner to see if a moldy smell comes out of the vents. 2. Look for discolored carpeting or brand-new upholstery in a used car. 3. Examine the exterior for foggy inside headlights and stained wheelwells. 4. Inspect the undercarriage for rusty and flaking metal. 5. Note dirt buildup in unusual areas such as around seat tracks or the upper carpeting under the glove compartment. Have an independent mechanic look for caked mud or grit in under-hood crevices. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. ❚
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