Smart Living Weekly - January 4, 2017 by Northwest Quarterly Mag

Smart L iving Weekly Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • Rockford Region/Beloit/Freeport 95¢ • January 4, 2017

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Right in Our Region

Burpee Celebrates 75 Years

See Page 20

PSX Training for Fitness Pet Care Checklist Weather Warm-Up Recipe Get Organized! Reduce Your Tech Bill

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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!

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In This Issue

Right in Our Region ........................Cover & p. 20 Discovering Burpee All Over Again Your Pet .................................................. ..... ......9 Put Your Best Paw Forward in 2017 Your Home .................................................. ..... 11 An Organized Home Means Less Stress Inspiration & Worship ......................................12 Honesty Matters Your Kitchen .....................................................15 Hearty Fare Tastes Great in Winter Weather Your Outings .............................................17 & 19 Abominable Snowrace; Tree Identiﬁcation with NLI Your Health ............................................. .......... .25 PSX Improves Conﬁdence and Health Your Fun ................................................... ......... .27

Dining Locally .......................................... ........ .29 GreenFire Restaurant Your Technology .............................................. ..31 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 2017 by Hughes Media Corp., 222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.

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We Resolve to ....

s we stare a new year in the eye, we’re a sharply divided nation with many internal disagreements. One thing all Americans should agree on, however, is that our local communities will be what we make them. Sitting on the sidelines waiting for others to fix things won’t get the job done. Each of us must stand up for what we value, right here at home. Most would agree this includes economic prosperity, since a stronger local economy benefits all of us. In the 1920s, Rockford had something like eight large department stores, 330-plus grocery stores, 40 drug stores, 20 hardware stores and 60 clothing stores – all locally owned in a city with a population below 100,000. Talk about market competition! Later in the century, when chain stores and chain eateries swept in, they all but destroyed our local business landscape. Even the largest locally owned retail giants fell one by one. For the first time, retail dollars made a beeline to out-of-state corporate headquarters rather than re-circulating here at home. Sadly, local politicians even gave tax incentives to big-box stores, further tipping the scales against Mom and Pop. Today, a new generation has decided that doing business with impersonal mega-corporations who care nothing for Rockford is not all that much fun. Neither is ceding our local identity to generic strip malls. Neither is eating tasteless food processed 10 states away from here. Local shops and restaurants are making a comeback and a local foods movement is growing. This is good! And this is why Smart Living Magazine exists. We’re one of very few locally owned media companies. We champion businesses owned by your friends and neighbors and help them to get your attention so they can earn your loyalty. Let’s resolve to support this renaissance of local identity. It will strengthen our local economy and we’ll enjoy doing it – together! Happy 2017! ❚ Janine Pumilia Managing Editor

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Y P

Putting Your Best Paw Forward in 2017 By Peggy Werner brand new hair cut with a touch of color, glitter nail polish, a festive bow, and a splash of fragrance – and you’re ready for the new year. Not you, your dog. It’s that time of year when All Paws Beauty Salon, 130 N. First St., in Rockford, is busy meeting the demands of its clients to put their best paws forward to face a new year. “We’re always busy this time of year because company is coming over and everyone wants to pet the dog, so owners want their furry friends to look and smell good,” says Angie Johnson, owner. She purchased the business that offers grooming and day care for dogs and cats in March 2006. The 2,000-squarefoot space has three large rooms, with separate spaces for beautiﬁcation of animals and their socialization. It was a natural transition for her. “My mom was a veterinarian technician and I started helping her groom dogs where she worked, 24 years ago. I also

grew up with animals and can’t imagine my life without animals,” she says. Although some breeds need more pampering than others, regular grooming year-round is important for all dogs and cats, Johnson says. Too many people make the mistake of letting their pet’s fur get long during the winter, thinking it will help to keep them warm, when that’s not necessarily true, she says. Poodles, Yorkshire Terriers, Lhasa Apsos, Shihtzhus, and Maltese dogs are non-shedding breeds, but their fur grows and needs to be regularly maintained, she says. Long-haired cats, such as Persians and Himalayans, have an undercoat that needs to be cleaned, brushed and

groomed regularly to prevent matting, which can be painful and cause skin irritations. “Dogs, especially, are a lot like people and need a lot of the same things we do. They want to feel good and know they are being cared for and loved.” ❚

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An Organized Home Decreases Your Stress By Janine Pumilia, managing editor

hen Joe Weller began installing closet systems more than 30 years ago, options were pretty limited. “When I started in this business in 1985, most everything was shelf and pole construction and closet design wasn’t talked about much. That has changed,” says the owner of Shelving & Bath Unlimited, 4337 S. Perryville Road, Cherry Valley, Ill. Today, almost 80 percent of Weller’s customers opt for custom laminate closet systems that look like finished wood cabinets. Along with more than 50 melamine colors and textures, there are options for granite surfaces, glass shelves, motionactivated LED lighting – even LED lights inside the drawers if you like – built-in mirrors, jewelry trays, removable laundry bags, a fold-out ironing board, adjustable cubbies made for shoes, boots and handbags and much more.

“Many people are using fewer or no dressers in their bedrooms and are choosing instead to maximize their closet space,” Weller explains. While some people go so far as to convert spare bedrooms into luxurious walk-in closets, others double or triple the efficiency of their reach-in closets by having them professionally designed. Either way, it’s the design expertise offered by Shelving Unlimited that makes it possible to meet organization goals. “It’s all about good design,” says Weller. “You can have the largest Taj Mahal-type closet in the world, but if it’s not functioning well it can become one more mess to deal with. Good organization saves you time and prevents frustration.” Weller also designs storage solutions for the pantry, garage, laundry room, home office and basement.

“Good organizational design plays a big role in making a home more functional and enjoyable,” he says. Along with adjustable-shelf laminate storage, Shelving Unlimited offers wireshelving systems by Rubbermaid, the No. 1 brand in the industry. ❚

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I  W

Honesty Matters

onest people can be trusted to do the right thing, even when that thing means personal sacrifice. But liars rationalize selfish behaviors. They tell themselves it’s OK to cheat on school tests and tax forms; they believe anything is justifiable in the pursuit of making money. And lying politicians have become so common that we reward them with public office. Big or little, a lie is a lie. “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” – Luke 16:10 (NIV) While “Be Honest” isn’t one of the 10 Commandments, it’s at the core of most. Stealing, bearing false witness and committing adultery, for example, all grow out of dishonesty … and God doesn’t like it. When we lie, we rob ourselves of true peace and other spiritual riches that come with “growing up in Christ.” (Ephesians 4:15) We also weaken the fabric of society, which depends upon basic honesty to function well. Dishonesty grieves the heart of a generous God who has lavished us with unconditional love and eternal life. And God is never fooled by the lies of men. “Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, were listening to all these things and were scoffing at Him [Jesus]. And He said to them, ‘You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God.’” (Luke 16:14 & 15) Before the coming of Jesus, it would have been better for us to cut off our hands than to steal again. Today, in the Age of Grace, we have better options. We can choose to change our bad habits and grow up in Christ. As we do, something wonderful happens: We experience the secret thrill of pleasing God and walking in step with Him. We feel joy. And with each honest move, we extend the light of Christ further into a dark world. The world seldom exalts people for being honest, but who cares? We do it because pleasing God is worth everything. Yes, the world exalts cheaters. Don’t let it get you down. Jesus Christ has overcome the world. (John 16:33). ❚ – Janine Pumilia 12

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Hearty Fare Tastes Great in Winter Weather S

weaters and scarves aren’t the only ways to brace yourself against blustery winter weather. There’s no time like wintertime to let the cozy heat from the stove warm you up while the aromas of mouthwatering dishes waft throughout your home. Rich, hearty stews and creamy casseroles are perfect for winter dinners, but when you’re craving something other than traditional comfort food, there are plenty of options to chase away the chill. A hearty meat-and-potatoes meal is a sure way to warm up on cold winter nights. This heart-healthy, one-dish meal is made with lean top round beef, vegetables and a spicy herb mixture. Find more healthy main dish ideas at health.gov.

Black Skillet Beef with Greens and Red Potatoes Recipe courtesy of the USDA

Ingredients: 1 pound top round beef 1 TB paprika 1 1/2 tsp. oregano 1/2 tsp. chili powder 1/4 tsp. garlic powder 1/4 tsp. black pepper 1/8 tsp. red pepper 1/8 tsp. dry mustard nonstick spray 8 red-skinned potatoes, halved 3 cups onion, ﬁnely chopped 2 cups beef broth 2 large garlic cloves, minced 2 large carrots, peeled and cut into 2 1/2-inch strips 2 bunches (1/2 pound each) mustard, kale or turnip greens, stems removed, coarsely torn Preparation: Partially freeze beef. Thinly slice across grain into strips 1/8-inch thick and 3 inches wide. Trim away visible fat. Combine paprika, oregano, chili powder, gar-

lic powder, black pepper, red pepper and dry mustard. Coat strips of meat with spice mixture. Spray large, heavy skillet with nonstick spray. Heat pan over high heat. Add meat; cook, stirring constantly, 5 minutes. Add potatoes, onion, broth and garlic. Cook over medium heat, covered, 20 minutes. Stir in carrots; lay greens over top and cook, covered, until carrots are tender, about 15 minutes. Serve in large serving bowl with crusty bread for dunking. ❚

Source: Family Features Photo courtesty of Getty Images

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Y O

Abominable Snow Race Offers Winter Fun By Peggy Werner

t a time of year when most people are taking a break, the second annual Abominable Snow Race challenges them to get up, get outside, set goals, and raise money for charity. This year, the family-friendly obstacle course, for all levels of ability, will be Saturday, Jan. 28 at The Mountain Grand Geneva Ski Resort in Lake Geneva, Wis. There are three race categories: the Elite Heat at 8 a.m., the Hero’s Heat at 9 a.m., and Open “Fun” Heats every 20 minutes until 2 p.m. – all with 20 or more obstacles along a snowy 4.4 mile path. Prizes will be awarded to the top three men and women in each race category, while all participants will receive an Abominable Snow Race T-shirt, beanie hat and free craft beer (or hot chocolate, for those under 21.) “There’s plenty to do for the entire family this year,” says Race Director Bill Wolfe. Kids aged 4 to 11 can race an eight-obstacle course every 30 minutes

beginning at 10 a.m. and can have their picture taken with Yeti, the abominable snowman. Everyone will enjoy music from 2 to 5 p.m. by Future Stuff, a folk/ pop band from Chicagoland. “Most of the people are not in it for the prizes, but rather are looking to experience something they thought they could never do,” says Wolfe. “It’s a way to get outside in the winter and connect with that inner child; it’s a chance to play in the snow.” Last year, about 1,200 people raced and Wolfe is expecting more than 2,000 this year. People from more than 25 states have registered, he says. The for-profit race has again partnered with Transition Living Services, a non-profit organization in McHenry County that helps homeless veterans get off the streets and on their feet, by providing housing, employment assistance, food from the local pantry, and other support services. Oscar Mike is the exclusive sponsor of the “Heroes” heat for veterans, firefighters, police and first responders. This foundation wants to see all injured veterans use their full potential to live rewarding and productive lives. All racers have something in common, Wolfe says. “Each racer is trying to overcome a personal obstacle, individually or as a team,” says Wolfe. “Some are going for the top prize while most are looking for a fun new challenge and a chance to play in the snow. Racers come from all walks of life to conquer the Abominable Snow Race, and while the individual mission may be different for each of

us, there’s no doubt we are all connected by our human spirit to take Winter headon and wrestle it to the ground.” Wolfe was a track and field star in high school and college, but got away from organized sports, while working toward a finance career. Then, he discovered obstacle racing. “It gave me the same feeling I got from running track and field. It’s an individual sport, but you’re part of something bigger and connecting with people. For me, it is very personal. I needed an outlet for physical fitness and to be with others,” he says. Some of the obstacles include The Blizzard, a 300-foot climb and descent in simulated blizzard conditions; The Cold Snap, a 9-foot inverted wall climb; The Winter Weaver, a military-style challenge requiring races to make their way over and under a series of bars, without touching the ground; and The Alaskan Oil Rig, a 17-foot climb up an oil rig-type structure. New this year is The Rocky Sled Pull, which requires people to pull a fully-loaded sled 40 yards while combating blowing snow. Sign up to race, volunteer, and donate at AbominableSnowRace.com. ❚

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Y O

NLI: Learn to Identify Trees in Wintertime Friday, Jan. 6. Call (815) 9646666 or email: info@naturalland.org. The Natural Land Institute is a 501(c)3, non-profit land trust and conservation organization based in Rockford, which has protected more than 16,000 acres of natural land in Illinois since 1958. NLI’s current service area covers 12 counties in northern Illinois. NLI’s mission is to create an enduring legacy of natural land in northern Illinois for people, plants and animals. The president of the NLI Board of Trustees is Mark Maffei. For more information, go to NaturalLand.org. ❚ (Kim Johnsen photo)

he Natural Land Institute (NLI) will host a workshop that teaches you how to identify native and non-native trees and shrubs of northern Illinois by buds, twigs, and bark. The workshop will be led by NLI’s director of stewardship, Zach Grycan. The Winter Tree & Shrub Identification Workshop will be Sunday, Jan. 8, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The morning session will consist of instructions in an indoor classroom setting located at the Rockton Fire Protection District building, 201 N. Blackhawk Boulevard, Rockton, Ill., from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Participants are encouraged to visit nearby local restaurants for lunch. The afternoon session, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., will include instructions and a walk at

Burr Oak Valley Preserve in Roscoe, Ill., a private preserve owned by NLI. The location of the preserve is across the street from Cross and Crown Lutheran Church, 7404 Elevator Road. Parking will be available inside the gate at the preserve or in the church parking lot. Cost to attend the workshop is $20 per person with limited availability. Preregistration and payment are required by

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R  O R

Discovering Burpee All Over Again By Peggy Werner

he Burpee Museum of Natural History, 737 N. Main St. in Rockford, is celebrating its 75th anniversary with the theme “Rediscover Burpee” and has many recent changes to show off. It invites the community to explore one of the best mid-sized museums in the country, says Dr. Dennis Harezlak, executive director. “People who haven’t been in Burpee Museum for a long time will discover we are much more than paleontology and ‘Jane,’ the T-Rex. We also house magnificent biology, zoology, geology and anthropology collections,” he says. A retired Winnebago school superintendent, Harezlak assumed the executive director position about 18 months ago and has worked diligently to revive the museum, even donating his salary back to it. He promoted Nicolette Pumilia to oversee community relations, visi-

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tor services and the gift shop, and hired Alexandra Benson as director of education and anthropology. Under new leadership, the museum is thriving. “The museum is growing like the Phoenix rising out of the ashes,” Harezlak says. Harezlak sees the museum as an educational institution for people of all ages. “The ‘Rediscover Burpee’ exhibit is just one of several new and improved exhibits,” he says. “The anniversary exhibit highlights many seldom-seen gems from Burpee collections, including Native American artifacts and beautifully mounted dioramas of lions, a polar bear, a wolf, a crocodile and more.” Museum memberships have nearly doubled and the budget is back under control. A newly designed web site, burpee.org, was launched in November and the gift shop is newly stocked. Future

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plans include a hands-on activity area for young children called the Sprout Learning Center. A capital campaign is underway for the center, which will encourage children ages 2-8 to learn about mammals, reptiles and insects. A new permanent exhibit, Fossil Lake, will take up most of the lower level and will feature exceptionally wellpreserved fossils that are about 50 million years old. Unearthed from Fossil Lake, part of the Green River Formation in Wyoming, Colorado and Utah, the fossils include a turtle, horse, four-foot palm leaf and a variety of plants and animals. Rockford University students are helping to put together a temporary exhibit called “Bugs” that will open early this summer with a collection of spiders and insects. Other temporary exhibits include nature photography by David C. Olson.

R  O R Visitors may take guided behindthe-scenes tours each week to view backroom collections and discover the kind of preservation work that goes on at a natural history museum. “People really get excited about what’s here,” he says. Major museum fundraisers are held in the spring and in August. In August, “The Local” will include taste tests from local restaurants and beer samples from local breweries, as well as live music and a silent auction on the museum grounds on the river. Last summer, the event raised about $45,000. Other upcoming special events include Engineering Day on Feb. 25th. Local engineers will be on hand to talk with students about the engineering involved in building projects. There will be demonstrations and hands-on activities where community members can build their own structures. “This is an opportunity for students to be exposed to the field of engineering, and to understand and appreciate the work involved in being an engineer,” Benson says. Her job is to engage students and the community with the museum through tours, workshops and exhibits, which she helps to design. The 19th annual PaleoFest will be March 4 & 5, and will feature workshops, hands-on activities for kids, and lectures from accomplished paleontologists. Last year, Burpee hosted the world’s first “Women in Paleontology” conference. Burpee will be the subject of the next “Word of Art,” a program put on by local writer’s guilds. Burpee is doing a separate version of this community outreach project involving students from Boylan and Winnebago high schools. Students will tour the museum to get ideas for their artwork, poems, prose and short stories, which then will be entered into a contest for judging this spring. A variety of summer camps are planned for June and July for children age 6 and up. They’ll include the topics Water Wizards; Exploring Earth; Scales, bones and Exoskeletons; and Dino Camp: Jaws and Claws. Students can sign up for

half-day camps or participate in two halfday sessions for a full day of activities. Younger children can also sign up for several learning experiences this summer, such as Books and Beasties, an activity where children ages 4 to 6 learn about animals and their activities. Younger children can help the staff feed live animals afternoons during Critter Club, and children of all ages can learn about animals and participate in workshops every other week during Animal Hour, a family activity. Main attractions at the museum include a two-story prehistoric coal forest exhibit displaying landscapes, insects, and amphibians from 325 million years ago; the Ordovician Sea exhibit, with local fossils from 455 million years ago; and the GeoScience exhibit, focusing on how the earth was formed. The First People exhibit teaches visitors about the history of Native Americans and displays a full-size wigwam, tipi, American Bison and a dugout canoe to climb into. Windows to the Wilderness focuses on wildlife in the Rock River Valley; a viewing and prep lab gives visitors an upclose look at where more than 100,000 specimens are prepared for the museum. Lily Pocs, gift store merchandiser, says her inventory has greatly expanded. “Kids love what they can get here and everything is within their reach, so they can pick things up and look at them.”

Burpee gained world-wide recognition in 2001, when members of an expedition led by the museum discovered “Jane,” the world’s most complete and best preserved juvenile Tyrannosaurus Rex, in the Hell Creek Formation in Southeast Montana. Four years later, in the same location, Burpee folks discovered the most complete sub-adult Triceratops fossil. Known as “Homer,” the complete skeleton was put on display in 2013. The public can go on real digs organized by the museum each summer. The cost is $1,300 and covers lodging, food and instruction. Harezlak became director at a time when Burpee was in deep financial trouble. A major setback occurred in 2013, when a flood damaged specimens and a lightning strike took out the phones and computers, and caused other damage. “We had a lot of things working against us,” Harezlak says. “It wasn’t an easy job, but we had to tighten our belts and do what we had to do. We had to show the public the museum was not only worth saving, but it was also something we couldn’t afford to lose.” Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tues.Sun. Admission is $10 for adults; $9 for children 4 to 12; and free for children under 3. Admission is free to members. The museum can be rented for wedding receptions, special events, and private parties. Learn more at burpee.org. ❚

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ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION REDISCOVER BURPEE Mingled Visions: Images from The North American Indian Collection by Edward S. Curtis. Organized by Dubuque Museum of Art, Dubuque, Iowa.

REDISCOVER the treasure trove of artifacts, specimens and memorabilia in the museum collection, alongside 3 newly developed exhibits ! www.burpee.org 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

NOVEMBER 11TH, 2016 - APRIL 2017 Smart Living Weekly

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Y H

PSX Improves Confidence and Health By Jermaine Pigee, deputy editor

f you want to get stronger, faster and healthier in 2017, PSX at Peak Sports Club may help you. The PSX training facility, which opened last spring, consists of high intensity group workouts designed to increase lean muscle and burn body fat. “You will get stronger, faster, more flexible and more conditioned if you do this workout at least three times a week,” says Nicholas Dal Pra, fitness director and trainer at Peak Fitness. The 4,950-square-foot facility is attached to the north side of Peak Sports Club, 4401 Peak Drive, Loves Park. The facility, which is adjacent to the weight training room, features a large, open space for trainers to lead small group workouts, which focus on high-intensity interval training. The workouts can be scaled and

modified to match your ability and experience. There is a variety of gym equipment that is used in each workout, such as free weights, power racks, turf sleds and plyometric boxes. “You’re getting programming and coaching in this program, whereas, when you pay for this gym or another gym, you’re basically on your own,” Dal Pra says. “Here, it’s 100 percent controlled.” PSX was the brainchild of Mark Banz, founder and president of Peak Fitness. In addition to the Loves Park location, he also runs Peak Fitness at 4304 E. State St., in Rockford. “Group training is a growing trend in the industry and it’s a way to make personal training more available and more

affordable for more people,” Banz says. “The fundamental aspect of group training has grown over the years, and now group training classes have their own dedicated space.” Workout classes take place at different times Monday through Saturday and each class has a range of eight to 14 people. Visit peakfitnessusa.com for more information or call (815) 877-4401. ❚

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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

All Aglow Holiday Display Through Jan. 8, Tues.-Fri. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat. & Sun. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Marvel at sparkling lights and beautiful ﬂ1.800.521.0849 oral displaysgorockford.com inside a warm tropiRockford, IL 61101 cal conservatory. Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, 1354 N. 2nd St., Rockford, (815) 987-8863, nicholasconservatory.com. 9/10/07 2:07:37 PM

FAM: Building Layers Exhibition Through Jan. 14, Tue.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat. noon-5 p.m. See an exhibition of encaustic paintings by four regional artists. Encaustic is a wax paint that dates back to the first century A.D., when it was used to paint portraits that were attached to entombed mummy cases. Freeport Art Museum, 121 N. Harlem Ave., Freeport, (815) 235-9755, freeportartmuseum.com. The Elvis Tribute Artist Spectacular Jan. 6, 8 p.m. Celebrate the music of Elvis Presley, era by era. The concert begins with the early rock-a-billy years, the military years, the movie years and the '68 comeback special in black leather, and closes with the Las Vegas and concert years. Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 968-0595, coronadopac.org. Jazz at Emerson Jan. 8, 3 p.m. Savor the talent of Hononegah High School Jazz Choir with light refreshments to follow. Emerson House, 420 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 964-9713, mendelssohnpac.org. Movies on Main Jan. 8, 4 p.m. & 6 p.m. See "Alice Through the Looking Glass" at 4 p.m. and "10 Cloverfield Lane" at 6 p.m. Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main St., Rockford, rockfordpubliclibrary.org. Hoo Haven Pelican Program Jan. 12, 6-7:30 p.m. Meet Marshmallow, the pelican, from Hoo Haven Wildlife Rehabilitation & Education Center, and learn about these magnificent birds. Welty Environmental Center, 1201 Big Hill Court, Beloit, (608) 361-1377, weltycenter.org. DaVinci & Michelangelo Jan. 13, 7 p.m. Mark Rodgers, Curator of the DaVinci Machines and Michelangelo Exhibitions for North America, takes you on a journey through the Italian Renaissance. This original theatre performance features movies, videos,

Enjoy a tribute performance to Elvis Presley on Jan. 6 at the Coronado.

3-D animations and images of DaVinci and Michelangelo’s inventions, machines, sketches, codices, paintings and sculptures. Rockford Theatre at Rockford Woman’s Club, 323 Park Ave., Rockford, (815) 291-0122, rockfordtheater.com. MLK Scholarship Breakfast Jan. 14, 9 a.m.-noon. Enjoy a full breakfast while high school seniors compete in an oratorical contest for college scholarships, with special performances by Diana Cole and a keynote address from Dr. Howard Spearman, Associate Vice President of Rock Valley College. Radisson Hotel & Conference Center-Rockford, 200 S. Bell School Road, Rockford, (779) 221-6336, mal1975.wixsite.com. Encaustic Workshop for Artists Jan. 14, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Exhibiting artist Carol Hamilton presents a workshop in conjunction with the Museum’s “Building Layers” exhibition. Freeport Art Museum, Freeport, (815) 2359755, freeportartmuseum.com. Concerts on the Creek: Council Choraleers Jan. 14, 7 p.m. The Council Choraleers and Dorothy Paige-Turner perform with the Joel Ross Trio. Refreshments and Mama Mia’s cuisine are available. Spring Creek United Church of Christ, 4500 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, (815) 8772576, springcreekucc.org. Royal Winter Ball 2017 Jan. 15, 4-8 p.m. The night is full of themed food, dancing and live-singing performances. The beloved characters from "Beauty & the Beast" take your breath away with a talented performance. The Pavilion at Orchard Ridge Farms, 6786 Yale Bridge Road, Rockton, onceuponadreamperformances.com. ❚

For More Attractions & Events Visit GoRockford.com Tell them you saw it in ...

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Jan. 4

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Restaurant of the Week

‘Something Different’ At GreenFire Restaurant By Peggy Werner

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.

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

Smart Living Weekly

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. ❚

In the Spotlight

Top Picks for Local Restaurants

Shendet Ismajlaj, owner of GreenFire

Jan 4 To advertise call 815-316-2300

Merrill & Houston's Steak Joint

ocated at 500 Pleasant St., inside the Ironworks Hotel, the restaurant features mouth-watering steaks, along with a full-service menu of ﬁsh, chicken and and sea food selections. Named after the men who's 1858 foundry became Beloit Corp., Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint celebrates Beloit's rich industrial history. Many of its components are constructed with repurposed materials salvaged from historic buildings. Leather seats, hardwood ﬂoors and many historic photographs lining the walls give the space a rustic feel. Merrill & Houston's is available for private and corporate events. The main dining room seats 120 and the banquet room can accommodate 200 guests. Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint is open daily at 4 p.m. ❚

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Jan 4

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Jan 4 To advertise call 815-316-2300

Y T

Reduce the Cost of Monthly Tech Bills By Peggy Werner

hile thinking about all the money you have to spend this holiday season, why not also think about ways to save money on your monthly tech bills? EZ Satellite & Wireless, 6239 N. 2nd St., Suite B, in Loves Park, can help with that. “People are paying too much for phone, internet, and television services by using just one company,” says Charles Zambrano, owner. “You don’t have to choose just one company to save money. People get excited when they see promotions because they’re just looking at the price, which will jump up dramatically after the special offer ends. Plus, they don’t always know exactly what they’re getting – and what you don’t know can hurt you.” When you purchase TV and internet service through EZ Satellite & Wireless, you’ll get a $100 gift card when you share the news with someone else.

EZ Satellite &Wireless is an authorized dish network retailer and also 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. EZ Satellite specializes in helping people make the right choices based on what they need and where they live, so they can save money. The family-owned business opened in 2011, in Roscoe, and moved to a larger, more visible location in Loves Park last May, adding a new bill-paying center for customer convenience. EZ Satellite & Wireless is a full service retailer for satellite TV and internet, and can also help people to acquire cable services. About 80 percent of his business is working with residential customers in Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. The

company also works with businesses. After working for many years as a satellite dish installer for one of the local providers, Zambrano decided to go out on his own to be more in control of his life and to help others do the same. “I love to see people’s faces when they find out how much money they can save,” he says. For more information, contact EZ Satellite & Wireless at (815) 957-4335 or stop by the office. ❚

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Jan 4 To advertise call 815-316-2300

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Jan 4

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Jan 4 To advertise call 815-316-2300

Smart Living Weekly

Issue 1