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Sm mart a L iving Weekly Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • Rockford Region/Beloit 95¢ • November 16, 2016

™

Right in Our Region

Choral Union Presents ‘Messiah’

See Page 20

Is Your Home Properly Insulated?

What to Know About Breast Cancer Risk Bringing Balance to Family Dinners Are You Paying Too Much for Tech?

JR Sullivan’s Hometown Holiday

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$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!

Smart Living Weekly

Issue 1

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In This Issue Right in Our Region ........................Cover & p. 22 “Messiah” Your Home .................................................. ..... 11 Is Your Home Well-insulated?

Inspiration & Worship ......................................12 Grab a Pen! Your Kitchen ................................................15, 17 Bring Balance to Family Dinners; Order Your Fresh Thanksgiving Turkey Now Your Outings ..................................................9, 16 Hometown Holidays; Stroll on State Your Health ............................................. .......... 25 Know Your Breast Cancer Risk Factors Your Fun ................................................... ......... 27 Dining Locally .......................................... ........ 29 Your Tech ..................................................... ......33 Are You Paying Too Much?

Smart L iving Weekly ™

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Managing Editor Janine Pumilia Assistant Managing Editor Lindsey Gapen Deputy Editor Jermaine Pigee Graphics Director Blake Nunes Graphic Designer Samantha Ryan Contributing Writers Peggy Werner General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes Account Executives Brian Hughes, Jeremy Jones Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes 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 2016 by Hughes Media Corp., 222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.

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It’s Tradition I

t’s beginning to look a lot like you-knowwhat out there. Long-time seasonal traditions are unfolding and new ones are just getting started.

Woodward in Loves Park is hauling out its Christmas display. This always gives me a little thrill, since I looked forward to it so much, every year, when I was little.

Edgebrook is gearing up for its tree lighting/open house. Stroll on State in downtown Rockford is in full preparation mode, as is Festival of Lights in Sinnissippi Park.

Ballet dancers are practicing hard for “The Nutcracker,” this year staged at Maddox Theatre at Rockford University. And, as you’ll read in our cover story, the Rockford Choral Union is rehearsing for its 71st annual performance of Handel’s “Messiah.” This is not an easy piece of music to perform. It’s exhilerating and absolutely worth the effort, both for performers and listeners.

I love the fact that our “Messiah” tradition began in 1945, in the aftermath of a horrible world war. Singers from many Lutheran churches came together to celebrate the Prince of Peace through this music, as a gift to our community.

Today, some singers travel more than an hour each way to rehearse and participate in this event. They represent more than 65 churches of many denominations. Some have been involved for many decades.

Be sure to watch for the All Things Holiday issue of Northwest Quarterly Magazine, out very soon. In it you’ll find all kinds of information and ideas to make the most of your season.

No matter what’s happening in our lives, each of us has much to be thankful for. A we move closer to Thanksgiving, let’s don’t forget to count those blessings and encourage one another.

Have a great week! ❚ Janine Pumilia Managing Editor

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Y O

Tickets on Sale Now for Hometown Holiday O ne of Rockford’s holiday traditions, J. R. Sullivan’s Hometown Holiday, returns Dec. 10 and 11 to the Sullivan Theater in the Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main St. This seasonal variety show, custom-made each year for the Rockford community, will be held Saturday, Dec. 10, at 4 and 8 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 11, at 4 p.m.

Tickets, at $25 each, are on sale now at the BMO Harris Bank Center and Coronado Performing Arts Center Box offices, or at ticketmaster.com or by calling (815) 968.0595 (service fees will apply). Tickets also will be available, for cash or check, at the Rockford Area Arts Council and J.R. Kortman Center for Design, 107 N. Main St., Rockford.

This year will be the 21st production of Hometown Holiday, featuring holidayinspired storytelling, comedy and seasonal and popular songs. Rockford natives

Miles Nielsen and Holland Zander will join a returning company of talented musicians and actors, including Shawn Wallace, composer and pianist; Randy Sabien, jazz violinist and multi-instrumentalist; Marcella Rose Sciotto, Daniel Patrick Sullivan and local favorites Linda Abronski and Steve Vrtol.

An all-new Rockford story by J. R. Sullivan will close the show.

“I happily anticipate another great Hometown Holiday show, especially with the great Miles Nielsen headlining and the return of HH favorites Randy Sabien, Shawn Wallace, Holland Zander, and of course our acting company Linda Abronski, Daniel Patrick Sullivan, Marcella Rose Sciotto, and Stephen Vrtol,” Sullivan says. “Variety is our format and joyful celebration is our theme. It will be just great to be

in downtown Rockford again this season and home for our holiday show.”

Supporting sponsors for this 21st Hometown Holiday production are Graham Spencer Brand + Content and WNIU/WNIJ with assistance of the Rockford Area Arts Council. Visit jrsullivanhometownholiday.com. ❚

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Y H  G

Is Your Home Properly Insulated?

By Jermaine Pigee, deputy editor

K

eeping your house warm this winter starts with making sure it’s properly insulated.

Unwanted drafts, mold and low air quality can come from poor air sealing or inadequate insulation, says Julia Swanson, operations manager for Saunders Insulation Specialists, 9016 Swanson Drive, Roscoe.

“If you’re sitting in your home and you feel a draft, there’s a reason why,” Swanson says. “You have to seal up those holes, especially in the attic.”

You may notice cold spots in certain areas of main floors, too.

“Some of the walls in your closet may not have insulation, which is why some of them may be cold.”

Along with cold drafts, inadequate insulation can cause excess moisture in a non-insulated room, which can lead to mold and mildew.

“That happens when there’s a lack of insulation or humidity,” she says. “It increases when temperatures go down because air holds moisture.”

Swanson says foam insulation works best to seal cracks in a home.

“Foam insulation has the highest R-value (insulating power) per inch and it seals the home at the same time,” she says. Some insulation problems should be addressed by professionals; others can be tackled by homeowners.

“People can grab a can of spray foam at Menards and crawl into their attic to look for crevices and fill them.”

In addition to the attic, cold air may infiltrate from around light fixtures, ceiling fans and that electrical box in the basement.

“Wires come in through the walls and electricians have to drill holes, which can allow air in,” Swanson says.

In winter months, cold air pushes warm air generated by the furnace upward to the attic, where it leaves the home through leaks. This happens because cold air has a higher density and moves through the home at lower levels.

This process, which Swanson calls “the stack effect,” is an important reason to insulate your attic.

Winter weather is coming. Save money and remain cozy this winter by preparing now, and meeting the challenge head-on. ❚

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I  W

A Regional Christmas Season Tradition Since 1945!

Grab a Pen! Q 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

uick! Without stopping to think, jot down 10 things you’re thankful for.

Messiah

_______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________

71st Annual

by George Frideric Handel

Featuring Internationally Known Soloists, Large Regional Chorus representing over fifty-five churches, Chamber Orchestra, Pipe Organ, and Harpsichord, and Conductor Nat Bauer, returning for his fifteenth year

Two Performances!

Did you run out of space? Find another sheet of paper and keep going. The truth is that there are always reasons to be grateful, no matter what is taking place around us.

We can start with the basics: Life itself – both now and eternal. Air to breathe. Eyes to see. Ears to hear. Skin that feels. The senses of taste and smell.

Through no effort of our own, we were born into communities with access to clean water and enough food to sustain us.

We even have enough to share with those who don’t.

We can be thankful for every person we love and every person who loves us.

We can be thankful for good health; even when we’re sick, there are probably parts of our bodies that are working miraculously well. As we pray for people who have no place to lay their heads, and take action to help them, we can be grateful for the shelter over our own heads, and warm beds to sleep in.

People with jobs can be thankful for those jobs. Students can be thankful for their education.

Too, we can be thankful for all of the simple and not-so-simple joys in our lives that motivate us not only to face each day, but to cherish it.

This list goes “to infinity and beyond.”

And on this eve of another U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, each of us can be thankful to live in a nation – albeit a highly imperfect and troubled one – where we enjoy individual rights and freedoms that so many people on this planet only dream about. We can choose to be thankful for every good thing in our lives, no matter what. ❚ – Janine Pumilia 12

Smart Living Weekly

Saturday, November 26, 2016, at 4:00pm & Sunday, November 27, 2016, at 3:00pm at Trinity Lutheran Church 200 N. First Street, Rockford, IL presented by the

ROCKFORD

CHORAL UNION Free Admission (Free-Will Donation) Free Reserved Parking for Concert Handicapped Accessible www.rockfordchoralunion.org www.facebook.com/rockfordchoralunion

Nov 16 To advertise call 815-316-2300

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A Site to see

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Nov 16 To advertise call 815-316-2300

Bring Balance to Family Dinners A

delicious and nutritious dinner seems like the last thing on everyone’s mind during busy weeks throughout the year. Registered dietitian and cookbook author Carolyn O’Neil offers a few quick, simple tips to help bring the family together, one meal at a time.

• Turn off the TV. When trying to bring everyone together, electronics of any kind – including cell phones – can be a big distraction.

• Follow guidelines. Americans are only meeting the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s MyPlate recommendations for vegetables, fruit, proteins, dairy and grains seven days out of the year. By pairing frozen meals and pizzas with fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy, you can build a family meal that meets the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

• Start with sides. When meal-planning, don’t forget to think about how

you’ll round out your meal with vegetables, fruits, grains and low-fat dairy for a balanced diet. Nestle’s Balance Your Plate program focuses on simple solutions, offering a range of recipes and tips that allow you to choose the perfect pairings to help you build a nutritious and delicious meal.

For a balanced meal the whole family will enjoy, try Sweet Pea Hummus as a side.

For more recipes and tips to balance your plate, visit nestleusa.com/balance.

Sweet Pea Hummus

Recipe courtesy of Carolyn O’Neil on behalf of Stouffer’s Ingredients: 2 packages (9 ounces each) frozen sweet peas, thawed 3 garlic cloves, chopped 3 TB extra-virgin olive oil 2 TB fresh lemon juice

Y K

1/16 tsp. table salt freshly ground black pepper, to taste 1 cucumber, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds.

Preparation: Place peas and garlic in food processor; with processor running, pour oil through food chute in slow, steady stream, processing until smooth. Stir in lemon juice and salt; season with freshly ground black pepper, to taste.

Cover and chill 2 hours. Serve with cucumber slices. ❚

Source: Family Features

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Y O

Stroll on State to Kick Off the Holidays S

By Lindsey Gapen, assistant managing editor troll on State, a holiday festival that brings more people to downtown Rockford each year than any other singleday event, will soon return.

“Stroll on State kicks off the holiday season for our city,” says Tana Vettore, director of Destination Development for the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The much-anticipated event brought an estimated record of 66,000 people to downtown Rockford last year, and will

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return for its fourth year from 3-9 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 26. It will take place mainly along State Street in downtown Rockford, but festivities will be spread throughout 20 blocks.

Illinois Bank & Trust is the presenting sponsor of this free, family-friendly event.

Visitors can stroll on State Street, from Third Street to Main Street, while witnessing the sights, sounds and smells of the holiday season.

Daytime activities include outdoor and indoor ice-skating at the Riverview Ice House, 324 N. Madison St. and horse and wagon rides.

At Santa Land, guests are transported to Santa’s North Pole workshop.

Kids can watch Santa’s elves work on toys while they wait to meet Santa.

Nov 16 To advertise call 815-316-2300

One of the more popular events is the lighting of the city Christmas tree at the corner of West State and Wyman streets.

“The trees are always locally sourced,” says Josh Albrecht, director of marketing and public affairs for the RACVB. “They’re donated by a different family in the Rockford region each year.”

Visit strollonstate.com for more information. ❚

Y K

Order Fresh Thanksgiving Turkeys Now

By Peggy Werner ith Thanksgiving around the corner, you may want to reserve a fresh Amish Turkey at Main Street Meat Company, 9515 N. 2nd Street in Roscoe, and while you’re there, pick up everything you need for a complete dinner.

The turkeys, raised in Minnesota, are fresh, never frozen, are free range and not injected with additives or other solutions.

It’s best to order ahead of time, to get the correct size for your family meal, but some will be available for walk-ins until they are gone. The turkeys range in size from 8 to 28 pounds, and sell for $2.99 a pound.

And that’s just for starters.

“We have so much to choose from.

We just want to provide the community with different choices for quality meat and homemade products,” says Amy King, who owns the business with her husband, Jim. Their son, Matt, runs the

W

store, and their daughter, Hannah, also works for them.

Save 15 percent on the price of the turkey, when you purchase three sides.

Among the choices are: Cheesy Potato Casserole, Rosemary Red Potatoes, Au Gratin Potatoes, Buttery Mashed Potatoes, Garlic Mashed Red Potatoes, Macaroni & Cheese with Bacon, Twice Baked Potato, Buttered Corn, Green Beans with Bacon and Onions, A Veggie Medley, Glazed Carrots, Green Bean Casserole, Smoked Baked Beans with Bacon and Broccoli with Cheese sauce. Add appetizers, dinner rolls, cornbread, salads.

For dessert, there are homemade cookies, brownies, cheesecakes and an assortment of pies.

The rustic home-like setting, with antique farm tools hanging on the walls, gives the feeling of an old-fashioned general store.

“We want that cozy feeling, where people are greeted as they walk in the door. They come here because they want a different product than they find elsewhere; a quality product made by people who care,” she says.

About 95 percent of the ready-made food is prepared at the store, frozen, and ready to be taken home and heated up.

Main Street is open from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5p.m. Sunday. To order a turkey, call (815) 623-6328. ❚

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R  O R

Handel’s ‘Messiah’ Awakens Christmas Spirit

By Jermaine Pigee, deputy editor

W

henever the Rockford Choral Union gives its annual performance of Handel’s “Messiah,” you know Christmas is right around the corner.

For the 71st year, roughly 135 vocalists and instrumentalists will usher in the Christmas season, on Nov. 26 and 27, with the Rockford Choral Union’s annual presentation of George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah” at Trinity Lutheran Church, 200 N. First. St., Rockford.

“This is sort of the kickoff to the Advent season,” says director Nat Bauer, who’s in his 15th year leading the concert. “I’ve received letters from people who tell me this concert gets them into the holiday season and into the Christmas spirit.”

The singers come from about 65 local churches, ranging from Methodists and Presbyterians to Catholics and

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nondenominational churches. Students from local schools participate and many of the musicians also perform with Rockford Symphony Orchestra. Some of the performers on stage have decades of experience.

“We have four internationally known soloists as part of our performance, who have major roles in the oratorio,” Bauer says. “In addition to our chamber orchestra, we have a harpsichord, which is an integral part of the entire performance.”

The performers represent schools, churches and other organizations within a 65-mile radius of Rockford, Bauer says.

“We have a very mixed bag of people with different backgrounds,” he says.

“The performers range in age from 14 to the mid-’80s. I love the younger performers because they are the future of the singers.”

Nov 16 To advertise call 815-316-2300

Originally composed in Dublin, Ireland, in 1742, Handel’s work has become one of the best-known and most frequently performed choral works in western music.

The Choral Union will be performing the oratorio for the 188th and 189th time.

“We usually have the performances around Thanksgiving time,” Bauer says.

“We used to have three performances that weekend, but now we only do two.”

“Messiah” tells a sacred story with voices and orchestra about man’s sinful nature and Christ’s redemption of man.

The oratorio includes more than 16 songs highlighting Biblical references on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The show is broken up into three parts. Part I of “Messiah” is about the

R  O R tough, but they’ll stick with it,” Bauer says. “It may be overwhelming to the newcomers, but I tell them to stick with it and try and sit next to someone who knows what they’re doing and

promise of redemption; Part II deals with Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection.

The final part of the performance is the glorification of Christ in Heaven.

“Each section has scenes, similar to an opera,” Bauer says. “This story brings in many Old Testament references and the story of the birth of Christ. The music is descriptive, so it tells the story on it’s own.”

The performance may stay the same each year, but the performers do not.

Some have been around for 30 years.

Others are very new to the story.

“Some people say doing this is

learn from them.”

To prepare, the performers practice for two hours on six consecutive Sundays before the two-night concert. They also go though a dress rehearsal.

There are no auditions for participants. Bauer says most choir members have sung “Messiah,” or parts of it, previously. The performers must commit to attending practices.

“I always ask that people can sing on pitch and they can commit to at least three rehearsals with us,” Bauer says.

“It’s not for everyone.”

The Rockford Choral Union was

established in 1945 by a coalition of Lutheran churches; people wanted to give back to the community following World War II. Bauer says the reason behind the performances never changes.

“Jesus Christ died for us,” he says.

“When Christ died, he died for our sins.

You won’t get the full story unless you watch the entire two-and-a-half hour performance.”

The Choral Union has an annual $16,000 budget, which pays for the orchestra, soloists and director. Admission to the show is free, but freewill offerings will be accepted. Individuals and businesses donate most of the funds.

Parking is also free and the church is handicapped accessible.

Bauer expects between 800 to 1,000 people to attend the performances, which will take place at 4 p.m. Nov. 26 and 3 p.m. Nov. 27.

Learn more at rockfordchoralunion. org. ❚

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Y H

Health Advice All Women Need to Hear W ith all the caregiving women do for others, they often need a reminder to pay attention to their own health.

Aside from skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among U.S. women. Each year, about 40,800 women died from it. Early detection greatly raises the odds of surviving cancer, which is why doctors urge women to have regular checkups and mammogram screenings, and to do breast self-checks.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that average-risk women who are 50 to 74 years old have a mammogram every two years. Women 40 to 49, and younger women with higher risk factors, should talk to their doctors about when to start.

While most women have some risk factors, most don’t get breast cancer. According to the CDC, some risk factors include: • Getting older. Most breast cancers are

diagnosed after age 50.

• Genetic mutations. Inherited changes (mutations) to certain genes, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2.

• Early age at onset of menstrual period.

• Late age at or no pregnancy. Having the first pregnancy after age 30 and never having a full-term pregnancy can raise breast cancer risk.

• Starting menopause after age 55.

• Not being physically active.

• Being overweight or obese after menopause.

• Drinking alcohol.

• Having dense breasts.

• Taking hormones to replace missing estrogen and progesterone in menopause for more than five years.

• Taking certain birth control pills.

• Personal history of breast cancer.

• Personal history of certain non-cancerous breast diseases.

• Family history of breast cancer, mean-

ing a first-degree female or male relative.

• Radiation therapy before age 30.

• Women who took the drug diethylstilbestrol (DES), between 1940 and 1971, to prevent miscarriage, and women whose mothers took DES while pregnant with them.

Keep in mind that abnormal mammogram results don’t always mean cancer; they simply mean that further testing is required. Mammograms don’t take long and are covered by most insurance programs. Schedule yours at your hospital of choice. ❚

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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

Artist Lecture: Joel Ross Nov. 17, 7-8:30. Join exhibiting artist Joel Ross as he speaks in-depth about his sculptures, mixed media work and public art installations. Rockford Rockford, IL 61101 1.800.521.0849 gorockford.com Art Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, rockfordartmuseum.org.

9/10/07 2:07:37 PM

International Showcase Nov. 18, 6-9 p.m. Witness a multicultural celebration of dance, song, art, history and lifestyle, presented by Rock Valley College’s Multicultural Club. Samuelson Road Center, 4151 Samuelson Road, Rockford, (815) 921-4251, rockvalleycollege.edu.

“Mentalist to the Stars” Nov. 18, 8 p.m., doors 6:30 p.m. Experience Sidney Friedman’s telepathy, ESP, premonition, “mathemagic” and all kinds of extraordinary mind power. Uniquely enjoy his “music mind reading” where you think of a song and he senses it and plays it. Radisson Hotel & Conference Center-Rockford, 200 S. Bell School Road, Rockford, (815) 877-1600, spectrumschool.org.

The People ft. Marques Morel Nov. 18, 7 p.m. The People ft. Marques Morel perform at JustGood’s Friday Night Music Series. JustGoods Fair Trade Marketplace, 201 7th St., Rockford, (815) 965-8903, justgoods.info.

Suite to Suite Nov. 18, 7:30 p.m. Enjoy a program that demonstrates the changes that occur in musical forms over the years. Mendelssohn Hall, 406 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 964-9713, mendelssohnpac. org.

“Nunsense” Nov. 18-20, Fri. & Sun. 7:30 p.m., Sat. 4 p.m. The Little Sisters of Hoboken are raising money to bury their sisters who were accidently poisoned by the convent cook, Sister Julia. These nuns know how to have fun. Rockford University, Clark Arts Center, Cheek Theater, 5050 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 226-4000, Rockford.edu.

Edgebrook Holiday Tree Lighting & Open House Nov. 18-19, Fri. 5-6:30 p.m., Sat. normal business hours. Get in the holiday spirit by mingling with Santa and enjoying holiday carols on Friday night at Edgebrook’s annual tree lighting event. On Saturday, join the Edgebrook merchants during

Rockford Dance Company performs Nutcracker" on Nov. 26 and 27.

"The

an open house with in-store events and specials.

Edgebrook, 1601 N. Alpine Road, Rockford, edgebrookshops.com.

Spectacular Saturdays: German Nov. 19, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Parents can help their children create projects and learn about German culture. Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford, (815) 397-9112, midwayvillage. com.

Sugar Plum Tea Party Nov. 19, 1-3 p.m. Make a craft, visit and take pictures with the Sugar Plum Fairy from “The Nutcracker” and view “Nutcracker” rehearsal.

Children ages 3 and up can take a creative movement class. Kresgi Hall, Riverfront Museum Park, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 962-0105, riverfrontmuseumpark.org.

“The Nutcracker” Nov. 26 & 27. Rockford Dance Company performs this holiday classic. A two-act ballet, “The Nutcracker” follows Clara, a young girl who takes an enchanted journey. Rockford University, Maddox Theatre, 5050 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 963-3341, rockforddancecompany.com.

Rockford Choral Union: “Messiah” Nov. 26-27, Sat. 4 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m. Come enjoy the 71st annual presentation of “Messiah,” presented by Rockford Choral Union. The event features internationally known soloists, a large regional chorus, a chamber orchestra and a harpsichord. Trinity Lutheran Church, 200 N. 1st St., Rockford, rockfordchoralunion.org. ❚

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WDL

Restaurant of the Week

‘Something Different’ At GreenFire Restaurant

By Peggy Werner

I

f you’re looking for a unique dining experience, look no further than GreenFire Restaurant, Bar and Bakery, 6795 E. Riverside Blvd.

Shendet Ismajlaj, owner for the past year, has a long history of working in Rockford area restaurants and is now carrying on the dream of late owner and founder Philippe Forcioli, who owned Café Patou and then opened GreenFire.

“I worked with Philippe for several years and never met anyone who could cook like him,” says Ismajlaj.

GreenFire is an American-contemporary farm restaurant, bar and bakery that uses only natural, fresh and seasonal ingredients, with everything cooked in stateof-the-art wood stone ovens.

“We offer something for everyone,

but we cater to the individual who wants to try something different,” says Ismajlaj. “People tell us there is nothing like it anywhere. We are known for our customer service, quality of food and unique flavor combinations.”

For breakfast, unique choices include tequila French toast, caramel apple pecan French toast, avocado eggs Benedict, wild berries crepes, and apple cider pancakes.

Appetizers include treats such as gorgonzola stuffed dates wrapped in applewood smoked duck bacon, with blackberry gastrique.

For lunch and dinner, there’s a wide selection of salads, meat entrees, seafood dishes, burgers, pasta, wood fire pizza and those delicious crepes made famous by Café Patou.

Shendet Ismajlaj, owner of GreenFire

On any given week, at least a dozen kinds of dessert are featured, the most popular one being a flourless, dense chocolate torte.There are regular and featured daily specials, as well as dinner pizzas for $10 after 10 p.m. every day. Learn more by calling GreenFire at (815) 316-3473. ❚ ❚

Top Picks for Local Restaurants

GreenFire EUpscale-Casual/American contemporary. Seasonal cuisine; local-sourced ingredients; gourmet market; 9 East Coffee E Casual/Coffeehouse. Specialty coffees, pas- live entertainment. 6795 E. Riverside Blvd., Rockford, (815) tries, breakfast, lunch. 9 E. Stephenson St., Freeport, (815) 316-3473. BkLD M-F 11am; Sat-Sun 8 am. Bar open late. $$.

233-7300, BkL M-F 7am-3pm, Sat 7am-2pm. $ JMK Nippon Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar E UpscaleArturo’s Mexican Restaurant E Casual/Authentic Mexican. Casual. Food cooked tableside. 2551 N. Perryville, Rockford, 107 W. Main St., Poplar Grove, Ill., (815) 765-1144. LD M 11am- (815) 877-0505. L T-F 11:30am-2pm, Sat to 2:30pm; D M-Th 8pm; T-Th to 9pm; F to 10pm; Sun noon-8pm. $.

5-9:30pm, F-Sat to 10:30pm, Sun 4:30-9:30pm. $$.

Bravo Pizza E Italian/American. 376 Prairie Hill Road, South Be- Local Dough Cafe E Restaurant/cafe. Baked goods, breakloit, Ill., (815) 624-7900. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat 11pm. $. fast, lunch, dinner, beer, wine. 202 W. Main St., Rockton, Cannova’s Italian Cuisine E Casual. 1101 W. Empire St., Free- (815) 957-0584. BkLD W-Sun 7 am-6 pm. $. port, (815) 233-0032. D T-Th, Sun 5-9pm; F-Sat 10pm. $-$$.

Main Street Meat Co E Deli/bakery. Quality meats, seafood, Costa’s Ristorante E Upscale-Casual/Italian. 133 Blackhawk café/bakery with catering services. 9515 N. 2nd St., Roscoe, (815) 623-6328. BkLD M-F 8 am-6:30 pm; Sat. 8 am-6 pm; Dr., Byron, Ill., (815) 234-4707. LD Daily 4pm. $-$$.

Sun. 9 am-5 pm. $.

Franchesco’s Ristorante E Upscale/Italian-American. Sommelier, live entertainment. 7128 Spring Creek Road, Rock- Mamma Mia’s E Casual/American. Pizza, pasta, sandwiches, wraps. 1139 N. Alpine Road, Rockford, (815) 399-6262. ford, (815) 229-0800. LD Sun-Th 4-9pm, F-Sat to 10pm. $$ LD M-Th 4-9pm, F 11am-10pm, Sat 4-10pm, Sun to 9pm. $$ Fresco at the Gardens. E Casual/American Café. Fresh, localsourced ingredients. 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, (815) Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint E Fine Dining. Ironworks Hotel, 500 Pleasant St., Beloit, (608) 313-0700. D Sun-Th 316-2256 BkL Daily 7am-3pm. $$ 4:30-9pm, Fri-Sat to 10pm. $$.

Giordano’s E Casual/Italian. Stuffed pizza, salads, entrees, sandwiches, desserts. 33 Executive Parkwy., Rockford, (815) Prairie Street Brewhouse E Upscale-Casual/American. 200 Prairie St., Rockford, (815) 277-9427. LD Sun-W 11am-10pm, 398-5700. LD Sun-Th 11 am-10 pm, F-Sat to 11 pm.

Th to midnight, F-Sat to 2am. $-$$.

Giovanni’s/Big Al’s Bar/Alchemy E Upscale-casual/American. Three dining rooms. 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford. Thrive Café E Casual/Cafe. Salads, wraps, sandwiches, (815) 398-6411. LD M-Th 11a.m.-10 pm, F to 11 pm, Sat 3-11 smoothies, cold-pressed juices. Inside Peak Fitness, 4401 Peak Drive, Loves Park, Ill. BkLD M-F 6am-8pm, Sat 8am-2pm. ❚ pm. Live entertainment, open late. $-$$.

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Smart Living Weekly

Nov 16 To advertise call 815-316-2300

In the Spotlight Bravo Pizza

W

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. ❚

Breakfast In Stockholm.

Served all day with Swedish hospitality.

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Stockholm Inn Stockholm Inn

Stockholm Inn World Famous SwedishPancakes W O RLD F A M O U S S W ED IS H P A N CA K ES

W O R LD F A M OU S S W EDI S H P A NC A K E S Voted #1 Best Breakfast & Brunch

2420 Charles Street Rockford, Illinois 815.397.3534

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110 W. Main St. Rockton, IL

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Y T

Are You Paying Too Much for Tech?

By Peggy Werner

I

t’s easy to complain about prices, especially when paying for what you don’t need or want. EZ Satellite & Wireless, a family-owned business at 6239 N. 2nd St., Suite B, in Loves Park, is aiming to change that for local customers.

The business is an authorized dish network retailer and is licensed to offer services from any other provider using dish, cable, internet and home security, such as Comcast, Frontier, HughesNet, DishNet, DirectTV, Digitenna, and Vivint.

“People are paying too much for phone, internet, and television services by using just one company. I can help people save money by finding out what they need and paying only for those services, having the best from each company,” says Charles Zambrano, owner of EZ Satellite & Wireless.

Zambrano opened his business in 2011, in Roscoe, and in May moved to

a larger, more visible location in Loves Park, with a new bill-paying center as an added service. EZ Satellite & Wireless is a full service retailer for satellite TV and internet, and can also help people acquire cable services. About 80 percent of Zambrano’s business is working with residential customers, and the remainder is commercial. He services homes and businesses in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois.

After working for many years as a satellite dish installer for one of the local providers, he decided to go out on his own to be more in control of his life and to help others do the same.

“It get’s very confusing. People end up unhappy because they’re driven by price and don’t really know what they’re getting,” he says.

EZ Satellite and Wireless offers custom-tailored packages for each customer.

The person who lives in a rural area

and is limited by what services are available has a whole different situation than the couple with five kids, with everyone on the internet and their own cell phones, and a television in every room.

“I find out what people need before they sign up for anything. Instead of shopping around, I can show you all the options. We’re in the business of providing solutions,” he says.

For more information, contact EZ Satellite & Wireless at (815) 957-4335 or stop by the office. ❚

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A downtown Rockford holiday tradition

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26 | 3 – 9 PM strollonstate.com | #strollonstate Brought to you by the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

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