Smart Living Weekly June 20, 2018 by Northwest Quarterly Mag

Sm mart a r t L iving Weekly Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • Rockford Region/Beloit 95¢ • June 20, 2018

™

Right in Our Region

Make Memories at Dixon Petunia Festival

See Page 16

All About Eye Floaters Tasty Make-Ahead Salads Tips for Watering Your Lawn What to Ask When Buying Furniture

FREE WIN!

2 Day Passes to Magic Waters

See Pg. 28 Details

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. 16 Dixon’s Petunia Festival Your Home .................................................. ..... 11 What to Ask When Buying Furniture Inspiration & Worship ......................................12 Loving Others Your Kitchen .....................................................15 Tasty Make-Ahead Salads Your Outdoor Living .........................................19 How to Water Your Lawn Your Outing ............................................. ......... 21 ‘1964: The Tribute’ Comes to Coronado Your Health ............................................. .......... 23 All About Eye Floaters Your Fun ................................................... ......... 25

Restaurant of the Week ................................... 26 Capital House Gets Liquor License Dining Locally .......................................... ........ 26

Smart L iving Weekly ™

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes

Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden

ATTENTION!

Managing Editor Lindsey Gapen Assistant Managing Editor Jermaine Pigee

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

Editor Emeritus Janine Pumilia Graphics Director Blake Nunes

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

Adulting is not always easy.

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

We’re here to help.

Smart Living Weekly. Copyright 2018 by Hughes Media Corp., 222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.

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Protecting Freedom

s we approach Independence Day, it’s a good time to brush up on American history. Much like religion, history is often “spun” by those wishing to lead us to a particular conclusion. The best defense against all spin is to do our homework, using primary sources as much as possible. Primary sources are things created by firsthand witnesses that speak for themselves – diaries, letters, reports, financial records, memos and the like. For example, reading Thomas Jefferson’s own words is a purer foundation for understanding him than hearing a third party’s interpretation of his words. The same holds true in religion. Reading Jesus’ words firsthand is the only way to recognize it when people twist his words. Primary sources of American history naturally include our Constitution, Bill of Rights and Declaration of Independence. These enduring documents weren’t written on a whim, but were crafted carefully by educated people who had studied successes and failures in history. They were influenced by people like John Locke, an Engish philosopher who, in the late 1600s, advocated for separation of governing powers and believed religious tolerance was essential. Locke said every person had a natural right to defend “Life, Health, Liberty or Possessions.” Sound familiar? Our founders also revered the Magna Carta. Signed by English noblemen in 1215, it curtailed the absolute power of King John by holding him accountable to the law. This was revolutionary. Some 800 years later, more than 3 billion people live under dictators who are accountable to nothing and no one. A report issued this year by the German foundation Bertelsmann Stiftung concludes that while the number of people living in democracies rose from 4 billion to 4.2 billion between 2003 and 2017, 3.3 billion people lived under dictatorship last year compared to 2.3 billion in 2003. If this is correct, dictatorships are winning. It’s not a given that our own society will always be free. To protect it, we must first understand it, spin-free. Have a great week! ❚ Janine Pumilia SLW Editor

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June 20

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June 20

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Y H  G

Questions to Ask When Buying Furniture By Janine Pumilia ou get what you pay for, when it comes to furniture, and there’s a growing demand nationwide for better quality furniture, says Mitchell Johnson, store manager at Gustafson’s Furniture & Mattress, 6651 E. State St. “Both across the U.S. and here in our region, people are tired of cheap furniture that falls apart,” says Johnson. Leather furniture remains popular, but Johnson cautions, “Be sure to ask questions about leather quality, since there are many imitations on the market. We also sell a lot of fabric sofas,” says Johnson. “There’s a trend toward more texture, with tweeds and corduroys and weaves. Today’s upholstery options are really wonderful – very durable but beautiful and comfortable. Most of today’s upholstery fabrics are made from PET, a highly durable polyester thread.” Reclining furniture is very big, in ev-

ery age group, across all demographics, says Johnson. “Don’t be afraid of electric mechanisms in recliners,” he says. “People worry too much about the motors breaking, but that seldom happens. You’re more likely to break a recliner that has to be manually raised and lowered. And electric motors give you a full range of motion rather than stopping at certain positions.” When buying upholstered furniture, the important question is not how the surface looks but what lies beneath. “Ask good questions when shopping,” advises Johnson. “Is the frame made from strong laminated wood or just plywood? Is there a reasonably good spring system that will distribute weight? Is the padding made of high-density foam or cheap ﬂuff? Is the leather exterior real

leather?” Reputable stores often have a cutaway model so you can see the materials below the surface. Do business with people who are in it for the long haul, not ﬂy-by-night chain stores with high turnover, suggests Johnson. “They have a real stake in making you happy and will deal with you more honestly.” ❚

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I  W

Loving Others T

here are many murky concepts in the Bible but one that’s crystal clear is that we’re to care for strangers in need. Jesus says the greatest commandment is to love God with all of our strength and to love people as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:36). He repeats this idea often. Here is just one example. Matthew 25:31-46 (NIV): “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” ❚ 12

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Y K

Make-Ahead Delicious Salads I

n a rush but want to eat healthfully? There’s nothing wrong with reaching for a can to start building a great salad quickly.

Middle Eastern-Inspired Bean Salad

Prep time: 20 minutes Servings: 6 1 can (15 oz.) READ 3 or 4 Bean Salad 1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes 1 small cucumber thinly sliced 2 green onions, thinly sliced 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley 2 TB chopped fresh mint 1 small clove garlic, minced 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper ﬂakes Dressing: 2 TB prepared hummus 1 TB fresh lemon juice 1/4-1/2 tsp za’atar seasoning blend Drain bean salad. Discard liquid. Place bean salad in large bowl. Add tomatoes, cucumber, onions, parsley, mint, garlic and red pepper ﬂakes to bean salad. Toss to combine. To make dressing, combine hummus, lemon

juice and seasoning; set aside. Add dressing to salad just before serving; toss to combine well. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

Pickled Beet and Red Quinoa Salad with Orange Vinaigrette Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 15-20 minutes Servings: 8

Vinaigrette: 1/4 cup fresh orange juice 1 TB orange zest 1/2 tsp coarsely ground black pepper 1/4 tsp salt (optional) 2 TB olive oil Salad: 1 jar (16 oz.) Aunt Nellie’s Baby Whole Pickled Beets 1 can (15 oz.) chickpeas, rinsed and drained 1/2 cup thinly sliced green onion 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley 1.5 cups red cooked quino

1/2 1/3 1

cup chopped almonds, toasted cup crumbled feta cheese TB orange zest

In small bowl, whisk together orange juice, orange zest, black pepper, salt, if desired, and olive oil; set aside. Drain beets. Place in large bowl; set aside. Add chickpeas, green onion, parsley and quinoa to beets. Add vinaigrette; toss to combine well. Just before serving, add almonds and combine well. Sprinkle with feta cheese and orange zest. Serve at room temperature or chilled. ❚ (Source: Family Features)

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R  O R

It’s ‘Peace, Love and Petunias’ in Dixon July 3-8 By Peggy Werner

hat started out as a way to beautify downtown Dixon has become a jam-packed, six-day celebration with live music, games, carnival rides, food, crafts, a major parade, ﬁreworks and more. The 54th annual Petunia Festival this year is Tuesday, July 3 through Sunday, July 8. The idea began when Dutch elm disease killed most trees lining the downtown streets in the late 1950s, says Jenna Dempsey, vice president of marketing for the Dixon Petunia Festival. The streets were also being widened, which further diminished curb appeal. In the early 1960s, the Dixon Garden Club began planting baskets of pink petunias to bring life and color to the otherwise drab scene. That effort grew into The Dixon-inBloom Committee hanging 265 flower baskets on Galena Avenue, Peoria Avenue, First Street and part of Second Street.

Smart Living Weekly

The cost to support the petunia project runs about $17,000 each year. The money comes from private donations, the main contributors being Dixon Area Garden Club and Rock River Garden Club. Dempsey is a fourth-grade math and science teacher who’s worked with Petunia Festival for 14 years, serving as president in 2012. The festival is part of every Dixon native’s memories, she says. “It’s always been a part of my life,” says Dempsey. “I grew up in Dixon and decided to volunteer one year, then served on the board and have been involved ever since. For me, it’s about giving back to the community. Everyone has a story to tell about the festival. The most exciting part is that it’s part of who we are as a community and it’s about every person who lives here. It’s incredible how it all comes together every year, but it does.”

June 20 To advertise call 815-316-2300

More than 600 volunteers and numerous sponsors make the festival happen. The event always takes place over the Fourth of July. Friday is Family Fun Night. Saturday will see a Kid’s Day sponsored by Midland States Bank and an evening filled with country music. The festival is free to everyone on Sunday. Not only is there plenty to do on the festival grounds, but many things also take place throughout the community, such as tours of the Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home and Visitor Center, an Ultimate Air Dogs Show presented by Quality Inn, the Reagan 5K Walk/Run and the 28th annual KSB Tennis Classic. Many aspects of the 2018 festival are traditional, but there are new performers and happenings, too. This year, 26 local and national bands and other musicians will perform

R  O R

on the Bud Light Riverfront Main Stage or the Ronald Reagan Statue Stage on West River Street throughout the festival. Arthur’s Garden Deli will sponsor Blues Traveler, best known for hit songs “Run Around” and “Hook,” at 9:30 Friday night. Country singer Langston, who just performed at the Country Music Association (CMA) Fest in Nashville, will perform at 9:30 p.m. Saturday during River Country 101.7 Music Night. Other entertainers include Top White Crew, presented by Ken Nelson; LAVA Rock, presented by Dixon Direct; and the Joe Stamm Band.

The Dixon Dish will feature pizza, tacos, corn dogs, elephant ears and more along the riverfront from 4 to 11 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; from noon to 11 p.m. Saturday; and from noon-10 p.m. Sunday. The Dixon High School Athletic Boosters will open the festival each day with a “Pancakes in the Park” from 6 to 11 a.m., serving up pancakes and sausage. Cost is $7 for adults and $3 for children. A theme of “Peace, Love, and Petunias” honors the culture, fads and events of the 1960s, the era in which the festival began. It will be reflected in the 1 p.m. Sunday parade presented by Big John with multiple bands, dancers, clowns, jugglers and more than 100 floats. Fireworks presented by KSB Hospital will launch near the ComEd site on Second Street Sunday at 9:30 p.m. and people can tune into River Country 101.7 to hear synchronized music. Lyle Grobe and the Rhythm Ramblers will perform “It’s Petunia Time in

Dixon” and other hits from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, followed by Joe Stamm Band from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Admission is free all day Sunday. Tickets are $8 per day for age 13 and older. Children 12 and under are admitted free. A five-day ticket can be purchased for $25 at the Dixon Welcome Center on Main Street, the Chamber of Commerce on Hennepin Street or online at petuniafestival.org until 4 p.m. on July 3. Purchase carnival armbands in advance at the same locations for a $5 per ticket discount. North American Midway Entertainment Carnival will have rides in operation from 1 to 11 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday; from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday and Friday and from 1 to 10 p.m. Sunday. The events related to this festival are too numerous to list here. Find a downloadable brochure with a complete lineup at petuniafestival.org. Contributions to future festivals can be mailed to Dixon in Bloom, P.O. Box 127, Dixon, IL, 61021. ❚

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O L

How to Water Your Lawn B y To n i R o c h a

oses out, spigots up. It’s time to begin pampering that lawn. For Robert Ewald, owner of Ewald Services Inc., this means following a few sound rules for helping grass start fresh and stay consistently green from now until late fall. “When it comes to watering lawns, the best rule of thumb is to follow Mother Nature’s example,” Ewald says. “A good soaking like a natural rain but without leaving puddles of standing water is preferable to frequent light watering. Then let the ground dry out for several days.” With many differing opinions on when to water, Ewald adds, the best plan is to water between 3 and 9 a.m. “If the lawn is watered in the heat of the afternoon, most of the moisture will evaporate without nourishing the grass,” he explains. “If water is applied late at

night, it will stay too wet which can cause grass seed to rot before it sprouts and can make established grass more susceptible to diseases.” For newly seeded areas, Ewald recommends keeping the ground moist in the right measure. “Seeded areas need a different watering regimen,” he adds. “For the seeds to properly root and sprout, the ground needs to be consistently moist, not too dry or too wet. Too dry and the seed won’t germinate, and too much water can wash the seed away or cause it to rot.” With an established watering program, grass should be able to weather almost all of the Midwest’s summer swings. But, Ewald says, for those few weeks in late July or August when semidrought conditions develop, lawns need a moisture boost.

“This is a two-fold fix,” he adds. “First, water to saturate the ground to a deeper level. Then increase the watering cycle to three times weekly until the drought period ends.” And finally, Ewald suggests that lawns need consistent watering through the beginning of October or as late as Oct. 15 in case of a drier season, not only to keep them green and healthy but also to help root development so that grass can winter over safely. For more information, contact Ewald Yard Services at (815) 877-3500 or visit online at ewaldservices.com. ❚

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Y O

‘1964 The Tribute’ to Perform June 23 M

ost of us have never experienced a live performance by The Beatles and never will. But the next best thing to it is coming to Rockford in June when “1964 The Tribute” recreates an early 1960s live The Beatles concert with period instruments, clothing, hairstyles and accurate onstage banter. “Those who never saw The Beatles perform live and always wanted to know what it must have been like will come as close as you can possibly get to feeling the magic,” says the band’s publicist. The band will appear Saturday, June 23, 7:30 p.m., at the Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St. “1964 The Tribute” is hailed by critics and fans as the most authentic and endearing Beatles tribute band. Rolling Stone magazine describes the group as “The Best Beatles Tribute on Earth.” Having toured the globe since the early 1980s, “1964” members have re-

searched and performed Beatles music for more than 35 years. They include Mark Benson as John Lennon; Mac Ruffing as Paul McCartney; Tom Work as George Harrison; and Bobby Potter as Ringo Starr. Benson, a native of Ohio, co-founded the tribute band in 1984. He began playing drums and piano at age 8. “‘1964’ shows the audience what it was like to attend a Beatles concert in the early ’60s and generates the same feeling of happiness that is still generated by the music of The Beatles,” says Benson. “We get so much of this positive energy back from our audiences, it reassures us that,

for now, we are where we are supposed to be. We had no idea, when we first started this band, that it would lead to us perform at so many of the venues The Beatles played, like Carnegie Hall, Red Rocks Amphitheater, The Deauville Hotel, Shea Stadium, and The Cavern in Liverpool, England.” Through the years, “1964 The Tribute” has shared the stage with luminaries including Chuck Berry, Cheap Trick, The Beach Boys, Rod Stewart, Dave Mathews, Smokey Robinson and James Taylor. Buy tickets at the Coronado PAC and BMO Harris Bank Center box offices, over the phone at (815) 968-0595, or online at Ticketmaster.com. ❚

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Y H

Treating the ‘Little Insects’ in Your Eyes By Lindsey Gapen,managing editor

loaters aren’t usually a serious problem, but they can be annoying, says Dr. Edward Yavitz, ophthalmologist at Yavitz Eye Center, 4105 N. Perryville Road, Loves Park. “They look like little insects flying around in front of you,” Yavitz says. “It bothers people – they think there’s something in front of them when there’s not. It’s actually a problem inside the eye.” People often complain of floaters after they get cataract surgery, Yavitz adds. Floaters are also more common in people who are nearsighted or who have had inflammation in their eyes. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, floaters are tiny clumps of gel or cells that float inside the

of you, and are easier to notice when looking at something plain, like a blank wall or blue sky. Though floaters tend to fade away over time, ophthalmologists can remove severe occurrences by surgery. Yavitz removes floaters at his office, saving patients up to $500 in comparison to going to a surgery center. “I use a laser to remove them,” Yavitz says. “I can see them by shining a light into the eye under a lens. They look like little white specks floating around, and I use the laser to disintegrate them.” ❚ (Paid Advertorial)

vitreous of your eye. These tiny clumps look like small specks, dots, circles, lines or cobwebs in your ﬁeld of vision. They deceivingly appear to be ﬂoating in front

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June 20

BYRONFEST $5.00 for admittance for the entire weekend!

LIVE MUSIC ALL WEEKEND LONG! for more information visit byronfest.org or the byronfest page on facebook!

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June 20

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

Tuesday Evening in the Gardens Through Aug. 28, Tues. 5 p.m. gates open, 5:45 p.m. performance. Los Angeles band Andy Frasco and the U.N. andgorockford.com Soundbox featured Rockford, IL 61101 1.800.521.0849 on June 26. Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Road, (815) 229-9390, andersongardens.org. 9/10/07 2:07:37 PM

Music on the Mall Through Sept. 14, most Fridays 6:30-8:30 p.m. Local live music hosted by Mary’s Market. Bring your own chair. Edgebrook Shops, 1639 N. Alpine Road, Rockford, (815) 226-0212, edgebrookshops.com. 'Hair' Through June 30, Thu.-Sat. 8 p.m. The radical musical of the ’60s tackles issues still relevant today, with hits like “Aquarius,” “Good Morning Starshine” and “Easy to be Hard.” [Usual]Suspects, Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main St., Rockford. Info: rockfordpubliclibrary.org. RAM: Midwestern Biennial Show Through Sept. 30, daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The 75th presentation of Rockford Art Museum’s biennial juried exhibition showcasing multimedia work by contemporary artists across the Midwest. Rockford Art Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 968-2787, rockfordartmuseum.org. Music in the Park Through Aug. 2, Tue.-Thu., 7 p.m. A variety of musical performers. Rockford Park District, Sinnissippi Park Music Shell, 1401 N. 2nd St., Rockford, (815) 987-8800, rockfordparkdistrict.org. Freeport Concert Band Through July 22, Sun. 7:30 p.m. Enjoy music under the stars at the Koenig Amphitheater. Krape Park, 1799 S. Park Blvd., Freeport, (815) 990-1739, freeportparkdistrict.org. 'Dirty Rotten Scoundrels' June 20-23 & July 25-29, Wed.-Sun. 8 p.m. & Sun. 2 p.m. This musical comedy features two sophisticated, suave swindlers. Starlight Theatre, RVC, Rockford, (815) 921-2160, rockvalleycollege.edu. 'Born Yesterday' June 21-30, see timberlakeplayhouse. org for times. Brassy blond Billie Dawn hits Washington, D.C., with her unscrupulous millionaire sugar daddy Harry Brock; Timber Lake

Enjoy the "next best thing" to a live Beatles concert when "1964: The Tribute" performs at the Coronado on June 23.

Playhouse, Mt. Carroll, Ill., (815) 244-2035. 'Clue the Musical' June 22-23, 29-30, 7:30 p.m.; June 30, 2 p.m. In this family musical, the world’s bestknown suspects come to life and the audience helps solve the mystery. Winneshiek Players Theatre, 28 W. Clark St., Freeport, (815) 2327023, winneshiekplayers.org. 'Of Mice and Men' June 22-July 8, Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. The John Steinbeck classic about two drifters who work on a ranch. Pec Playhouse Theatre, 314 Main St., Pecatonica, Ill., (815) 239-1210, pecplayhouse.org. '1964 …the Tribute' June 23, 7:30 p.m. Travel back to the ’60s for a Beatles concert, re-created with period instruments, clothing, hairstyles and onstage banter. Coronado PAC, Rockford, (815) 9680595, coronadopac.org. Burn N’ Bush June 24, 7 p.m. Rod Burnette and Dave Bushman play a variety of rock, country and oldies. Byron Forest Preserve, Byron, Ill., (815) 234-8535, byronforestpreserve.com. Music at the Dells: Seth Glier June 24, 7-9 p.m. Grammy-nominated singer/ songwriter Glier entertains on the guitar and piano. Severson Dells Nature Center, 8502 Montague Road, Winnebago, Ill., (815) 3352915, seversondells.com. RAM: Art in Bloom June 25, 6-8 p.m. Wine and hors d’oeuvres preview party; exhibit June 26-29, Tue. & Thu. 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Wed. 3-8 p.m., Fri. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Works of art from the Rockford Midwestern Biennial are interpreted. RAM, (815) 968-2787, rockfordartmuseum.org. ❚

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June 20

WDL

Capital House: The First of its Kind

By Jermaine Pigee, assistant managing editor

apital House, 308 W. State St., has received its liquor license and opened its martini and wine bar. It offers full-service lunch and dinner, a coffee bar, a casual sandwiches & salads menu plus pastries and breakfast sandwiches. It will soon offer a sushi bar as well. Capital House is owned by Robin Young of KenDev LLC. She and partner Ted Brothers have long envisioned a hybrid restaurant, meaning multiple menus working together to please a wide variety of people visiting the establishment at various times of day and night. To see it come to life is exciting, says Brothers. “Breakfast, lunch and coffee are for people who work down here, mostly young professionals, or people who work in the courts or federal offices,” Brothers says. “Then, at night, we see urban dwellers and those who actually live around here.”

Rockford’s first hybrid restaurant is located in the space formerly occupied by Kryptonite bar. There’s coffee available all day and fine dining dinner entrées. Among the seafood entree items at Capital House are Alaskan king salmon filet served with lobster risotto, seared diver scallops, Alaskan King Salmon with Lobster Risotto grilled amberjack and Norwegian shrimp pasta with squid ink restaurant like this,” Brothers says. capellini. “When you go to a big city like Chicago, Appetizer selections include New York or Los Angeles, this is what Maryland crab cakes, crisp pork belly you see in their urban areas or financial and chilled shrimp cocktail. districts.” The lunch menu offers sandwiches, Look for outdoor dining and live salads and soups such as New England music this summer. clam chowder. Capital House is open Mon.-Fri. 7 “Rockford has never seen a hybrid a.m.-11 p.m. and Sat. 7 a.m.- 1 p.m. ❚

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.

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.

Bravo Pizza  Italian/American. 376 Prairie Hill Road, South Beloit, Ill., (815) 624-7900. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11pm. $.

GreenFire  Upscale-Casual/American contemporary. Live entertainment. 6795 E. Riverside Blvd., Rockford, (815) 3163473. BkLD M-F 11am, Sat-Sun 8am. Bar open late. $$$.

Capital House  Fine dining, sushi bar, gourmet coffee, martini bar. 308 W. State St., Rockford, (815) 708-8989. BLD M-Th 8am4pm, Fri. 8 am-10pm, Sat. 11am-10pm. Closed Sunday. $-$$$.

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. $-$$.

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. $$

Maciano’s Pizza & Pastaria  Casual. Pizza, Italian favorites, beer & wine. 6746 Broadcast Pkwy., Loves Park, (815) 633-7500; and 5801 Columbia Pkwy., Rockford, (815) 2275577. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11pm. $$.

Costa’s Ristorante  Upscale-Casual/Italian. 133 Blackhawk Dr., Byron, Ill., (815) 234-4707. LD Daily 4pm. $-$$. Cucina di Rosa  Italian Bistro/Bakery 1620 Bell School Road, Rockford, (815) 395-5040. BkLD. Homemade gelato, baked goods, pasta, frittatas, more. M-Sat 7am-9pm. $$ Dos Reales Mexican Restaurant  Casual/Mexican. Authentic dishes, lunch menu. 5855 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 227-4979. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 10:30pm. $-$$. Fresco at the Gardens.  Casual/American Café. Fresh, local-sourced ingredients. 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, (815) 316-2256. BkL Daily 7am-3pm. $$

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Prairie Street Brewhouse  Upscale-Casual/American. 200 Prairie St., Rockford, (815) 277-9427. LD Sun-W 11am10pm, Th to midnight, F-Sat to 2am. $-$$. Rock Cut Concessions  Casual American. BkLD. Now serving breakfast. Sandwiches, burgers, fries, ice cream. Daily 8 a.m.-7 p.m., open to 9 p.m. on Friday for fish fry. Taco Betty’s  Casual/Mexican-American. 212 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 977-5650. LD Daily 11am-1am. $$. Thrive Café  Casual. Healthful food & drinks. 6731 Broadcast Pkwy, Loves Park. BkLD M-F 7am-8pm, Sat 9am-5pm. ❚

June 20 To advertise call 815-316-2300

Taco Betty’s

ocated at 212 E. State St., next to the Rock River, this trendy, casual kitchen serves up innovative tacos with signature twists like pork and pineapple or crispy ﬁsh with roasted corn, dried chiles, cilantro, onion and avocado-lime mayo. The tacos come in pairs for lunch and threesomes for dinner. Recipes are subject to change with the seasons or whenever the chef feels like it. Other items on the menu include chicken verde nachos, chicken taquitos, taco salad and guacamole with chips. Margaritas and other bar drinks are made with fresh juice squeezed daily. The entrance to Taco Betty’s faces State Street and the restaurant has large west-facing windows that offer natural light and front-seat views of Rockford City Market on Fridays and the river. Taco Betty’s opens daily at 11 a.m. The kitchen closes at 10 p.m. Sun.-Thurs. and at 11 p.m. Fri. and Sat. ❚

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June 20

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June 20 To advertise call 815-316-2300

Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Weekly

June 20

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June 20 To advertise call 815-316-2300

Smart Living Weekly

Issue 1