Sm mart a r t L iving Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • Rockford Region/Beloit/Freeport Nov. 6, 2019
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Right in Our Region
Emily Bear Sings, Releases First Pop EP See Page 16
Stroll on State Expands! Dancing With the Rockford Stars Tips for Hiring a House Cleaner Hospice & Palliative Care: What to Know
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In This Issue
Right in Our Region ........................Cover & p. 16 Emily Bear Moves into Pop Scene Your Home ............................................ ........... 11 Tips for Choosing Your House-Cleaning Team Inspiration & Worship ......................................12 Only One is Good Your Kitchen .....................................................15 Tasty Holiday Side Dishes Your Outing ................................................. ..9, 21 Dancing with the Rockford Stars; Stroll on State Your Health ............................................. .......... 23 Why Hospice and Palliative Care Matter Your Fun ................................................... ......... 25
Restaurant of the Week ................................... 26 Baci’s Kitchen Dining Locally .......................................... ........ 26
Smart L iving Weekly ™
Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes
Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Managing Editor Lindsey Gapen Lukas Assistant Managing Editor Jermaine Pigee Editor Emeritus Janine Pumilia Graphics Director Blake Nunes Graphic Designer Samantha Behling 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 Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes Distribution Kelly Fairbairn Website www.SmartLivingWeekly.com Published by Hughes Media Corp. 222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104 (815) 316-2300, Fax: (815) 316-2301 lhughes@northwestquarterly.com Smart Living Weekly. Copyright 2019 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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Thank a Veteran “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” - John F. Kennedy
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his week we salute the nearly 20 million U.S. veterans in our nation. Nov. 11 is Veteran’s Day, previously named Armistice Day to commemorate the day fighting stopped between Allies and Germany at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, the 11th month of the year, in 1918. It became a national holiday in 1938 and was renamed in 1954 to honor all of our veterans. This shouldn’t be confused with Memorial Day, which honors those who died for our country. Who are today’s veterans? The majority served in the Gulf Wars (post 2000) or Vietnam (1964-1975) or both, at about 7 million each. Some 2 million Korean War veterans are living. We’re losing nearly 350 World War II veterans per day, but roughly 490,000 remain with us. About 10 percent of all veterans are women, and that number is growing fast. (source:VA) Every veteran is a unique individual. Still, veterans are bound by common experiences that most of us can’t understand. About 751,000 are 100 percent disabled. More than 1 million are in treatment for PTSD. Nearly 94,000 have suffered amputations. Rates of addiction, suicide and homelessness are higher than average among veterans. It’s equally true that full-time employed veterans earn about $10,000 more per year than non-veterans, on average. It’s been our great privilege, through the years, to share the stories of many veterans with you on the pages of Northwest Quarterly (NWQ) Magazine. Each time we do, it humbles me to contemplate how great a burden so few Americans carry for the rest of us. We work with words every day around here, but none are adequate to express our gratitude to veterans. And so we simply say, “Thank you. So much.” Have a wonderful week! ❚ Janine Pumilia SLW Editor
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‘Dancing With the Rockford Stars’ Nov. 23 By Peggy Werner
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he red carpet will be rolled out for “Old Hollywood Glam,” the theme of this year’s Dancing with the Rockford Stars fundraiser for Family Counseling Services (FCS). Six couples will step up to the challenge of making the right moves for a good cause. The 12th annual event is the largest annual fundraiser for FCS and will take place at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at Giovanni’s Restaurant and Conference Center, 610 N. Bell School Road. Highlights include dinner, dancing, music and a live auction which features a piece of jewelry from Anthony Alexander Diamonds, a one-week Florida condo stay and more than 120 other items like spa days, sports memorabilia and artwork. Luxe Productions will transform the Giovanni’s ballroom with spot, strobe and flashing lights to highlight the dancers’ performances and the dance floor
will open up for all to enjoy following the competition. FCS, 210 Longwood St., provides counseling, psychotherapy and family life education to individuals and families in Winnebago, Boone and Ogle counties, using an income-based, sliding fee scale to make payment affordable. FCS relies on client fees, insurance, fundraisers, grants and contributions and has been serving people for 142 years. FCS Executive Director Dr. Susan Johnson says the money raised will be used to supplement the costs for people who can’t afford counseling because of low income and lack of insurance. “We see all kinds of people having all kinds of problems, including relationship problems, problems with their kids, problems because they don’t have their kids. We see a lot of people with depression and anxiety, and everyone is strug-
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gling financially,” says Johnson. “We all have to face difficulties, but how you handle problems makes all the difference and that’s how we try to help people, by showing them they have choices and options ... Sometimes, just having a positive relationship with someone can make all the difference.” Purchase tickets online at dancingwiththerockfordstars.com or call FCS at (815) 962-5585. They cost $80 per person or $750 for a table of 10. ❚
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What to Ask Before Hiring a House Cleaner By Janine Pumilia
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iring someone to clean your house can be a real pleasure. Who doesn’t love coming home to a clean home? And who couldn’t use the time it frees up, especially now that two-income households are the norm? For the cost of one family dinner out, this pleasure could be yours. Before you hand your house key to a stranger, however, be sure to ask these questions, suggests Paul Wheelock, owner of Merry Maids franchises in five local counties. • What’s your security protocol? Wheelock personally runs federal background checks on every person he hires. “State background checks alone are not enough,” he says. “My guideline is that I won’t hire anyone I wouldn’t give my own house key to.” • Can you provide proof of insurance? “If a company isn’t insured and bonded, you could be responsible for any
injuries that occur on your property,” says Wheelock. All Merry Maids employees are insured, bonded and covered by Worker’s Compensation. • How well are your employees treated? High turnover is never good. Companies that respect employees will attract better people who take more pride in their work. “We offer a career experience to our employees,” says Wheelock. “We provide benefits like paid time off and a retirement plan. This helps us to find the best people and keep them onboard.”
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• Is the work guaranteed? Expectations on both sides should be well communicated to avoid conflicts. “We’ll come back and make right anything that a customer feels was not properly done,” says Wheelock. • How do pricing and payment options work? “We do a walk-through before a final price is set,” says Wheelock. “Be wary of companies that skip this step and offer a ‘free cleaning,’ sight unseen, as a gimmick.” You get what you pay for. As for payment methods, “We offer options for encrypted, secure online payment so you don’t have to bother with checks or cash.” Online software allows you to get a rough idea of how your cleaning job will be priced or you can get an estimate over the phone. Merry Maids specializes in residential work. A typical cleaning schedule is 1.5 to 3 hours every two weeks. Learn more at Merrymaids.com. ❚
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One is Good
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e humans get into a lot of trouble by forgetting God’s God and we’re not. Hubris often rules our lives until we find ourselves helpless in an impossible situation. Only then do we remember we’re made of dust. If we’re wise, we run like children back into God’s open arms. We resolve to keep the Greatest Commandment: to love God with all our heart, soul and mind, both in good times and bad. (Matthew 22:37-39) The Bible, especially the Old Testament, is full of the following plot points: God puts person/people in a good situation. Person forgets God. Person stumbles. (Pride goes before a fall, Proverbs 16:18). Person returns to God and begs for help. God looks at person’s heart and responds accordingly. It’s worth repeating that God looks on our hearts, not our credentials. “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (I Sam. 16:7) The Old Testament reveals a parade of flawed and disadvantaged persons who succeed against grave odds only when they sincerely humble themselves before God. Deborah leads armies in a man’s world; Gideon faces down his anxiety disorder; Moses overcomes a speech impediment; Jacob is a liar; Rahab is a prostitute; Noah drinks too much; Jephthah is illegitimate; Once-humble King David lets power go to his head and commits murder and adultery. No human will ever be “good.” (Mark 10:18) But each of us has an open invitation to cling to the One who is – to love Him with our heart, soul and mind. When we love God, we try to please God. Apostle Paul, the top brass of the early church, asks God three times to remove a painful hardship from his life. (2 Corinthians 12:8-10 ESV). But God says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul responds: “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Through our loving obedience, God unleashes his power of good. Our task is not to be good, but to keep our eyes firmly fixed on the One who is. ❚ – Janine Pumilia 12
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Tasty Sides for Holiday Entertaining T
hese recipes are ideal side dishes for holiday gatherings with enough to go around for everyone at the table. They’re also perfect for a holiday potluck. The Caprese Bean and Salami Salad can also stand in as an appetizer. Find more holiday recipes at auntnellies.com and READsalads.com.
Hearty Roasted Winter Vegetables
Prep time: 10 minutes Servings: 6 Ingredients: 1 jar (16 oz.) Aunt Nellie’s Whole Pickled Beets, drained 1 small red onion, cut into 12 wedges 2 cups baby portobello mushrooms, cleaned and stems trimmed 2 cups butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into 3/4-inch chunks 3 TB olive oil 1 clove garlic, finely chopped 2 tsp chopped fresh rosemary 2 tsp chopped fresh thyme
1/4 tsp salt, plus additional, to taste (optional) 1/8 tsp pepper, plus additional, to taste (optional) 2 cups Brussels sprouts, ends trimmed and scored with cross-cut
Heat oven to 400 F. Place beets, onion, mushrooms and squash on rimmed 15 1/2-by-10 1/2-by-1-inch baking sheet; drizzle with olive oil. Add garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt and pepper; toss to coat. Roast 15 minutes. Add Brussels sprouts, stir and continue to roast until vegetables are tender and browned, about 30-35 minutes, stirring once. Adjust salt and pepper, to taste, if desired.
Caprese Bean and Salami Salad
Recipe courtesy of “The Reluctant Entertainer” Servings: 16 Ingredients: 5 cans (15 oz. each) READ 3 Bean Salad (3 cans drained, 2 cans undrained)
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1 pint grape tomatoes, halved 1 pound small marinated mozzarella balls, drained 3/4 cup (1 oz.) fresh basil, chopped 8 oz. dried salami, sliced Salt and pepper, to taste 2 whole-wheat baguettes (13 oz. each), sliced
In large bowl, stir together bean salad, tomatoes and mozzarella balls. Before serving, add basil and salami. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Stir to combine. Serve on large platter surrounded by baguette slices. ❚ Source: Family Features
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Emily Bear Sings, Releases First Pop EP By Lindsey Gapen Lukas, managing editor
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t’s been a treat for Rockford residents to watch Emily Bear grow up in the public eye. The singer/songwriter, pianist, composer and film scorer has performed at high-profile venues (among them Carnegie Hall and The White House) and performed internationally. She recently composed two songs for the film Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase and performed the score for A Dog’s Journey. But ask her what she’s most proud of, and you won’t hear about any of that. “I’ve learned a lot from each experience, and I have so many incredible memories. But I have to say, getting over my fear of singing was huge for me,” Bear says. The 18-year-old released her first EP of pop music on Oct. 18, 2019, titled Emotions. Reaching this milestone
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required courage on Bear’s part. As relaxed as she is playing piano in front of 40,000 people, singing was something else. “I was absolutely mortified to sing in front of people. I just felt so vulnerable,” Bear explains. “But now, I couldn’t imagine my life without it.” After music industry professionals noticed that Bear could really sing, they invited her to record demo songs of pop music. She soon discovered that singing by herself in a booth was much less intimidating than singing in front of others. She gradually became comfortable in her own skin. As she transitioned into being a confident singer, she also became more skilled as a songwriter. Emotions has six tracks and Bear wrote, composed and
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played piano on all of them. Each song on the EP stems from Bear’s personal life experiences and each addresses the theme of “emotions.” Her second single, Dancin, is an example. “The lyrics ‘Now I’m just dancin’ to the songs that made me cry,’ – I feel so many people can relate to that,” Bear says. “It’s about being able to take something that’s brought you down, and being able to grow past it, and move on. You get to a place where you can dance to the songs that used to make you cry.” The message transfers into the
R O R Dancin music video, which Bear recently filmed in New York. Her video features 80 dancers. “It’s the idea that dance – and art in general – are for everyone and should be accessible for everyone,” Bear says. Dancers have taken notice of the song’s empowering message by creating response videos. “And the music video hasn’t even come out yet!” Bear exclaims. “All the proceeds of the video are going to
charities that help people pursue their passion and love for dancing no matter if they have financial, mental or physical challenges. I really think it’s important to spread this idea.” Eager Emily Bear fans can expect the release of her Dancin music video sometime in the coming weeks. Until then, her EP is available on Spotify, Itunes, Apple Music, Amazon, Google Play and more. In addition, Bear will perform on Nov. 7 at 7:30 p.m. at Prairie Street Brewhouse, which will benefit the music programs at Rockford Public Schools. She’s never performed in Rockford without donating to Rockford Public Schools. “I remember once, I was playing a show in Vienna [Austria], and [President] Bill Clinton was speaking after I played … he said, ‘What if Emily had been born in an impoverished country with limited resources and no way to develop her musical gifts?’ And I always just think about that. The chances of me being born into a family that would support me and
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Bear will perform in Rockford Nov. 7 at 7:30 p.m. at Prairie Street Brewhouse, playing all six songs from her new Emotions EP in addition to other works. The concert will benefit the music programs at Rockford Public Schools. Get tickets at eventbrite.com. help me foster this musical ability – it’s all chance. And I feel that giving people chances should be a given.” The opportunity to give back to her hometown is extra special. “I feel if I grew up in L.A., or Chicago, or another big place, I would have turned out differently,” Bear says. “The people in Rockford are so genuine and I have the best memories here – high school football games, the apple orchard, going on dinosaur digs at the Burpee Museum. Watching my brother [Benjamin] row and my sister [Lauren] figure skate. I love Rockford, and just seeing how it’s bloomed in the past 10 years has been so cool to me.” ❚
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You Deserve Pam’s Unsurpassed Service Pam Cunningham, Gambino Realtors Here’s What Pam’s Customers Have to Say:
We are very happy that we chose Pam Cunningham as our realtor for selling our home.She is very knowledgeable about real estate sales and the area that we lived in. She is very professional and readily answered our questions. She went “above and beyond” to help us close the sale. She found a way to sell our home when there were no “comparable sales” in our area.
Anne Torney 815-289-6323 • pcunningham@gogambino. See more of my testimonials at my website: GoGambino.com/pcunningham
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Cozy Up to Home Cooking this Winter By Peggy Werner
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f the cold weather has you feeling down, start cooking. There’s nothing cozier than coming home to a fragrant hot meal after tossing a good cut of meat into a slow cooker in the morning. Countryside Meats & Deli, 781 Highgrove Place, will get you started. “People always want a home-cooked meal, but they don’t always want to take the time to prepare it,” says Jarrod Bush, owner of Countryside. Slow cooking is an ideal solution because prep time is minimal. Bush says certain meats work best in a slow cooker, like chuck roast, pot roast, pork shoulder (for pulled pork), short ribs and lamb shanks, all of which become melt-in-your-mouth tender with moist, low-heat slow cooking. It’s possible to cook a roast without
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any liquid, but adding a small amount of broth, wine, water, beer or soup adds moisture and flavor, says Bush. The slow cooker traps steam from cooking meat, which keeps meat moist. The store also offers a weekly advertised special every Wednesday and other in-house specials. There are cases full of “oven ready” meals such as lasagna, stuffed green peppers, meatballs, Italian beef, pulled BBQ pork, chicken pot pie, chicken Kiev and 25 kinds of bratwurst. “If there’s something you want for dinner, we can have it ready for you,” says Bush. Countryside specializes in top quality Midwestern beef, pork, and poultry and is a full-service meat market that caters to customer needs, whether that means grabbing lunch on the run or planning a big party. There are also cheeses and cheese spreads, sauces, dips, dressings, mari-
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nades, chicken, egg, tuna and crab salads, as well as cole slaw, broccoli slaw, baked beans, potato salad, macaroni salad, Italian pasta salad, creamed and pickled herring. Gourmet items include four varieties of stuffed chicken breasts, twice baked and cheesy potatoes, and stuffing made with ham and Swiss cheese, apples and cranberries, or traditional bread stuffing and crab cakes. Large portabella mushrooms are filled with crab meat and Swiss cheese or cheddar cheese and bacon. ❚
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Stroll on State 2019 Even Bigger and Better T
he 7th annual Stroll on State will be better than ever this year. More than 87,000 people filled the streets of downtown Rockford last year to welcome the season and experience the wonder of what a community can do when its people come together. This year’s event will kick off on Nov. 19, the Saturday after Thanksgiving, from 2 to 9 p.m., featuring a parade with floats, horse & wagon rides, fireworks, visits with Santa, a very special tree lighting and much more. The parade will step off at 2 p.m. from South Main at Chestnut Street and stroll north to State Street, heading east across the bridge and ending at 3rd Street. It’ll feature eight large-scale balloons, including Buddy the Dinosaur and Butterscotch the Elf, as well as festive floats,
live music, DJs and a few extra surprises. In Strollville, children will play inside real elf houses this year. There’ll be plenty to see, touch and take photos with, including a larger-than-life Elf parade balloon. Strollville also is the location of Rudolph’s Reindeer Village, immediately east of BMO Harris Bank Center. Also new is a reimagined tree lighting experience. To accommodate growing crowds, the Main Stage will move to the southwest corner of Wyman and State streets. Guests will sing together and count down to the official tree light-
ing. Watch for Santa as he appears during the music production beginning at 5:45 p.m. The tree lighting will begin at 6:15 p.m. Sky Lights Fireworks will launch from Davis Park immediately after the tree lighting. The new Sleigh Bell stage will join the Silver Bell and Jingle Bell stages in order to accommodate the many talented performers of our region. It will be in front of Chase Bank on East State Street. Catch the synchronized River Lights show under the Jefferson Street Bridge this year. New and returning outdoor food, beverage and gift vendors will be at two locations: Rockford City Market Pavilion and the parking lot at West State and Wyman streets. Volunteers are needed before, during and after Stroll on State. Visit gorockford.com to learn more. ❚
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Hospice and Palliative Care: What to Know
By Janine Pumilia ike it or not, we’re all mortal – that much is beyond our control. We can control how our dying process is managed, however. Hospice care professionals are end-of-life care specialists that help us to learn our options and what to expect. About 1.4 million Americans are in hospice care on any given day. “The single most important thing to know about palliative or hospice care is that the sooner you start having difficult conversations about end-of-life care – with your loved ones, your doctor – the more positive and peaceful the process will be,” says Britney McKay, marketing associate at Beloit Regional Hospice. Waiting until we’re in full-blown crisis mode to ask for professional help isn’t wise, she says. Laying a foundation of honest communication, while all parties are still thinking clearly, is wise. “When we’re first beginning to care for somebody, there are a lot of initial visits from our team members,” says McK-
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ay. “This is an important time of getting to know one another and all getting on the same page about the care plan.” A hospice team consists of physicians, nurses, aids, social workers and chaplains. The team provides pain management, symptom control, psychosocial support and spiritual care to patients and their loved ones when a cure is not possible or further treatment is unwanted. By contrast, “Palliative care is for people who have a serious, life-limiting illness with a lot of symptoms that need to be managed for comfort,” McKay explains. “They can still receive curative treatment while our team works with their doctor to get symptoms under control.” Hospice teams also help people to prioritize and carry out their final wishes. “The idea is that patients accept that they’re beginning their end-of-life journey and that we can improve their quality of life during that process,” says McKay. An initial consultation doesn’t obligate a person to sign up for or stay in a
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hospice program. Both hospice and palliative care are covered in full or part by Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance. As a nonprofit organization, Beloit Regional Hospice patients also benefit from financial donations to the organization. No patient will ever be turned away due to an inability to pay. Beloit Regional Hospice was founded by a local physician in 1982 and is now part of Beloit Health System. Its annual fundraiser, the Doves and Diamonds Gala, is set for Nov. 16. Learn more at BeloitRegionalHospice.com. ❚
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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
Autumn Fun
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
Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
Attractions & Events
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.
RAM: Bold Abstractions Now thru Jan. 26, daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Exploring new forms of abstract painting from Rockford, IL 61101 1.800.521.0849 gorockford.com the 1960s. RAM, (815) 968-2787, rockfordartmuseum.org. 9/10/07 2:07:37 PM
Wings of Wonder: The Lorikeet Exhibit Now thru Nov. 10, Tues.-Sun. Get an intimate look at these playful birds. Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, 1354 N. 2nd St., Rockford. (815) 987-8858. Play with trains on Nov. 10 & 11.
Broadway: 'Once' Nov. 6, 7:30 p.m. Winner of eight Tony Awards, “Once” tells the tale of a Dublin street musician who’s about to give up on his dream when a beautiful young woman takes a sudden interest in his haunting love songs. Coronado PAC, Rockford, (815) 968-0595, coronadopac.org. Andrew & His Sisters at White Pines Nov. 6-7, see website for times. Enjoy a 1940sera show with Andrews Sisters-style tunes and choreography; featuring favorites such as “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” “In the Mood” and “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree.” (815) 946-3817, whitepinesinn.com. Wiscons-in-Song Nov. 9, 11 a.m. Family concert featuring Ken Lonnquist and Doug Brown, who celebrate all things Wisconsin, including its folklore, natural places, the Packers and cheese. MAC, Monroe, Wis., (608) 325-5700, monroeartscenter.org. Saturday Midday Music Nov. 9, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Hayley Hoff shares her eclectic sound, covering classic rick, folk and modern folk. 502 7th St., (815) 986-0628, Katiescup.com. Chip Messiner Tribute Show Nov. 9, 7 p.m. Back for his fourth appearance, Messiner is a remarkable match for the legendary John Denver. Spring Creek United Church of Christ, (815) 877-2576, springcreekucc.org. Arts & Crafts Holiday Spectacular Nov. 9-10, Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.4 p.m. Crafters and artists fill more than 25,000 square feet, showcasing handmade items, home, holiday and hard décor, floral arrangements and more. Indoor Sports Center at Mercyhealth Sportscore Two, 8800
E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park, Ill., (815) 9971744, artsandcraftfaiar.com. Toy Trains & Friends at Discovery Center Nov. 10 & 11, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Watch and operate amazing model trains. Assemble and decorate wooden train cars that fit your magnetic train set at home. Crafts, train activities and play for the whole family. discoverycentermuseum.com. BJSO: Faure Requiem Nov 10, 2 p.m. Featuring Beloit College Choirs and Beloit Janesville Symphony Orchestra. Beloit College Eaton Chapel, Beloit, (608) 3632755, beloit.edu. Katie's Cup Second Thursday Concert Nov. 14, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Rockford-based, nationally-celebrated singer-songwriter Emily Hurd performs. 502 7th St., (815) 986-0628, Katiescup.com. The Piano Guys Nov. 15, 8 p.m. Entertaining with an original blend of classical music with pop, the Piano Guys have performed on The Tonight Show and the Today Show. Coronado PAC, Rockford, (815) 968-0595, coronadopac.org. Holiday Traditions Nov. 15-30, Tue.-Thu. 1 & 3 p.m., Fri.-Sun. 1, 2 & 3 p.m.; Dec. 6-8, Fri. 6-9 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 1-5 p.m. Tour the elegantly decorated mansion. Ellwood House Museum & Park, DeKalb, Ill., (815) 756-4609, ellwoodhouse.org. Stroll on State Nov. 19, 2 p.m.-9 p.m. Enjoy the parade, treelighting, Santa visit, Strollville, entertainment stages, live reindeer, carriage rides, River Lights show and more. Gorockford.com. ❚
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Baci’s Kitchen Debuts New Items in its Third Year
By Peggy Werner
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aci’s Kitchen, now in its third year, is thriving under the leadership of owner Nikko Castrogiovanni, who says he learned the restaurant business from his dad, Nick, and honed his skills for five years at Las Vegas restaurants. Located in Perryville Place, at 2990 N. Perryville Road, the restaurant takes its name from the Italian word for “kiss.” “I just fell in love with working in the kitchen and being creative,” says Nikko. “This business is in my blood and I have a drive to keep making Baci’s better and better.” Nikko recently debuted a new beer and wine list and will soon expand his entree selection. A see-through wall to separate the bar from the dining room is being added and the bar will get more high-top tables and a few slot machines. More booths were recently added to the dining area. Before opening Baci’s, Nikko
worked with his dad at Ciao Bello for five years. Nick’s personable interaction with customers and attention to every detail of the business made a big impression on Nikko, who personally developed every item on his menu. Baci’s is known for its unique breakfast items such as breakfast pizzas and breakfast bowls. The Baci Benedict is made with ciabatta bread and topped with avocado, Swiss cheese, bacon and Baci’s breakfast sauce. Later in the day, customers look forward to the daily $10 small pizza, 10 oz. burgers, kid’s menu, gourmet mac and cheese and affordable entrees, from $15 to $23. American fare includes sandwiches, soup, paninis, wraps, pasta, pizza and appetizers. An outdoor patio seats 70, weather permitting. Entrees include the popular Baci Salmon, made with a pan-seared salmon filet, topped with sautéed radishes, carrots, tomatoes, orange slices and a side of coconut rice. The Baci’s Chicken
Parmesan is a lightly breaded and stuffed chicken breast with ricotta and spinach topped with marinara and fresh mozzarella and served with spaghetti. Protein bowls are made with chicken, salmon, steak, tuna, shrimp, or vegetables and include rice, quinoa, vegetables and homemade dressing or sauce. Live music is from 6 to 9 p.m. every Friday and Saturday with artists such as Vince Chiarelli Band, Trinadora, That Gurl, and Pistol Pete. Walk-in diners are welcome, but reservations are highly encouraged by calling (815) 329-6922. ❚
In the Spotlight Top Picks for Local Restaurants Baci’s Kitchen Fast-Casual, dine-in, carry-out. 2990 N. Perryville Road, inside A Perryville Place. (815) 329-6922. Open 7 days/wk. at 8 a.m. BkLD. Complete menu at Baciskitchen.com. Backyard Grill & Bar Casual/American. 5390 Elevator Road, Roscoe, Ill., (815) 623-6677. 2nd St., Loves Park, Ill., (815) 6369430. LD M-Th 11am-midnight, F-Sat to 2am, Sun noon-10 p.m. $-SS. Bravo Pizza Italian/American. 376 Prairie Hill Road, S. Beloit, Ill., (815) 624-7900. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11pm. $. Ciao Bella Ristorante Upscale-Casual/Italian-American. Daily specials. 6500 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park, Ill. (815) 654-9900. LD M-F 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sat. 5-10 p.m. $$ Cucina di Rosa Italian Bistro/Bakery 1620 Bell School Road, (815) 395-5040. BkLD. M-Sat 7am-9pm. $$ Dos Reales Mexican Restaurant Casual/Mexican. 5855 E. State St., (815) 227-4979. LD $-$$. Fresco at the Gardens. Casual/American Café. 318 Spring Creek Road, (815) 316-2256. BkL Daily 7am-3pm. $$ Giordano’s Casual/Italian. Stuffed pizza, salads, entrees, sandwiches, desserts. 33 Executive Parkway, Rockford, (815) 398-5700. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11 pm. Hearthrock Cafe Restaurant/cafe. Baked goods, coffee, breakfast, lunch. Inside Benson Stone Co., 1100 11th St., (815) 227-2000. BkL M-F 7:30am-3pm; Sat. 8am-3pm. $-$$. 26
Smart Living Weekly
Lino’s Italian/American. 5611 E. State St., Rkfd. (815) 397-2077. D M-Sat 4:30am-10pm; Sun. 4:30am-9 pm. $$. Maciano’s Casual Italian. 6746 Broadcast Pkwy., Loves Park, (815) 633-7500; & 5801 Columbia Pkwy., Rkfd., (815) 227-5577. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11pm. $-$$. Mary’s Market Cafe & Bakery Baked goods, sandwiches, salads. 2636 McFarland Road, Rockford, (815) 986-3300; 1659 N. Alpine Road, Rockford, (815) 394-0765; 4431 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 397-7291. BkLD Hours vary by location. $. Olympic Tavern Upscale-Casual/American. 2327 N. Main St., (815) 962-8758. Extensive beer list. LD M-Th 11 a.m.-midnight; Fri-Sat. to 2 a.m. $-$$. Prairie Street Brewhouse Upscale-Casual/American. 200 Prairie St., Rockford, (815) 277-9427. LD Sun-W 11am10pm, Th to midnight, F-Sat to 2am. $-$$. Salamone’s North Italian-American. 2583 N. Mulford Road, Rkfd. LD. Sun. noon-10 p.m.; Mon.-Th 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sat. noon-11 p.m. (815) 639-1200 Stockholm Inn Casual/American, Scandinavian emphasis. 2420 Charles St., Rockford, (815) 397-3534. BkLD M-Sat., Sun. brkfst. only. M-Th 7a.m.-7 p.m.; Fri. & Sat. 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Sun. 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Weekend brunch. Large menu, Swedish pancakes specialty. $$ Taco Betty’s Casual/Mexican-American. 212 E. State St., Rkfd., (815) 977-5650. LD Daily 11am-1am. $$. ❚
Nov. 6
To advertise call 815-316-2300
D
Dos Reales
os Reales, 5855 E. State St., Rockford, has been serving up authentic Mexican fare and signature margaritas, along with some American fare, since 1998. Its recently updated menu features a burrito cheesesteak and chimichangas, along with newer items such as torta Mexicana, a Mexican style of sandwich filled with grilled chicken or steak; sopes Mexicanos, a traditional Mexican dish served with rice and beans; and molletes, a traditional Mexican meal with toasted bread covered in refried beans and grilled steak. Dos Reales offers glutenfree options, and dishes are mild unless a guest requests spicy. “We prepare everything from scratch and purchase our products from local sources,” says Jose Gonzalez, Dos Reales’s manager. Dos Reales is open Sun.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-10 p.m., and Fri.-Sat. until 10:30 p.m. ❚
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