Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • 95¢ • May 2021 • No. III
Right in Our Region
Klehm Garden Fair is Back! See Page 16
Get Healthy, Stay Healthy How to Save Money on Tech Bills LVT: A Popular Flooring Option
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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CABINETRY AND FLOORING
Garden fair Weekend
Saturday, June 5 | 9 am - 5 pm Sunday, June 6 | 9 am - 4 pm
sponsored by:
FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.klehm.org/garden-fair-weekend
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In This Issue
Right in Our Region .........................Cover & p. 16 Klehm Garden Fair is Back! Your Home .................................................................. 13 LVT: A Popular New Flooring Option Inspiration & Worship ....................................... 14 The Book of Hope Your Technology ............................................... 17 Save Money on Tech Bills Your Health ........................................................ 31 Get Healthy, Stay Healthy
Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Managing Editor Jermaine Pigee Editor Emeritus Janine Pumilia Graphics Director Samantha Behling Graphic Designer Ashley Smith Contributing Writers Peggy Werner General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes Fort Wayne General Manager Sherri Cassedy Advertising Sales Representatives Brian Hughes, Jeremy Jones, Nita Lasky Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes Distribution Kelly Fairbairn Website www.SmartLivingWeekly.com Published by Hughes Media Corp. 222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104 (815) 316-2300, Fax: (815) 316-2301 lhughes@northwestquarterly.com
Smart Living. Copyright 2021 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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The Least We Can Do
I
just watched a discussion on C-span (yes, I’m a nerd) in which author Philip Zelikow argued that a WW I peace treaty should have been achieved at the end of 1916, well before the U.S. sent in troops. All sides were running short on money, supplies and men. Key leaders couldn’t say it openly without appearing weak, but each signaled to President Woodrow Wilson a willingness to make concessions if he’d broker a treaty to end a war no one wanted. Instead, the opportunity was botched (maybe sabotaged by advisors?) and tens of millions more people died. Later, the disastrous 1919 Treaty of Versailles would set the stage for World War II and the rise of Hitler. Zelikow’s book is titled “The Road Less Traveled: The Secret Effort to End the Great War, 1916-1917.” He documents his thesis well, but I’m in no position to judge its accuracy. Perhaps the smart folks staging the Tour of Duty: World War I Re-enactment at Midway Village this weekend can do so. Why does any of this matter to us in 2021? Because human nature doesn’t change. The same fatal flaws in world leaders have sown misery since time began – excessive pride, incompetence, greed, dishonesty and poor judgment choosing advisors. Most people around the world live in totalitarian societies and can’t choose their leaders, but we still live in a democratic republic. No leader is perfect, but altruism, honesty, moral courage and respect for the Rule of Law should be the very least we require. A candidate’s personal character, not team identity, should guide us, advised George Washington: “However [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion.” I’m a nerd, but I’m a patriotic one. As we approach Memorial Day, remembering those who died for this country, let’s be thoughtful citizens. It’s the very least we can do. Have a good week! ❚ Janine Pumilia SLW Editor
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Your Home & Garden
Luxury Vinyl Tile: Functional and Stylish By Janine Pumilia ust like other home materials, flooring is trending toward handsome but easy-care materials, says Kevin Rose, president of CarpetlandUSA Colortile, 326 N. Alpine Road, Rockford. “The most innovative material in the flooring world is luxury vinyl, which comes in planks (LVP) or in tiles (LVT),” says Rose. “People are thrilled with how good it looks and how well it wears.” Not to be confused with the plasticlooking vinyl floors of yesterday, luxury vinyl imitates natural wood and stone products with uncanny accuracy. The image on the surface of the vinyl is topped with a durable finish that resists stains, scratches and dents. Vinyl products are softer and warmer underfoot than real stone or tile and far easier to install, although Rose still recommends professional installation. Unlike laminate flooring, which can disintegrate in moisture, or solid
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wood floors, which can warp in the Midwest’s fluctuating humidity, “Luxury vinyl is 100 percent waterproof, which means it can be used in basements, bathrooms, laundry rooms, kitchens and anyplace moisture could be a problem,” says Rose. Trending now are much wider planks and much larger tile sizes. Hard-surface flooring continues to gain ground over carpet. Luxury vinyl is taking market share away from laminate flooring, but solid wood and engineered wood floors are still wildly popular. Buyers are covering fewer square feet in carpet these days, but carpet is still highly valued in certain rooms for its warmth, softness and beauty, especially in four-season climates like ours. “Carpet was probably 65 percent of our business 10 years ago and now it’s 50 percent,” says Rose.
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Rose says the durability of carpet varies greatly and “you really do get what you pay for” when it comes to choosing a carpet of good fiber with adequate face weight, density and twist. Carpetland is the longest continually running flooring store in Rockford and has a second location in Sycamore, at 1719 DeKalb Ave. ❚
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Inspiration & Worship
Book of Hope T
he Bible promises us there’s more to this world than meets the eye and that love will triumph over evil in the end. Most of all, it says that when we follow Jesus Christ, we’ll enjoy an eternal life with God. That’s why the Gospels are called “The Good News!” Even death is overcome. “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (I Cor. 15:55 KJV) But the Bible’s message of hope is not restricted to eternity alone. God gives us hope in this life, too. In the midst of sickness, oppression, war, prison, famine, pain, grief, poverty, lonliness, rejection, shame, addiction or any chain that binds us (selfimposed or otherwise) God promises to love us and lead us. He offers light and invites us into its warmth. We are intimately known by God. The Creator sees us. Jesus says, “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Luke 12: 6 & 7 NIV). The Bible doesn’t promise us easy lives. But it does promise that we don’t have to navigate this world alone or by our own strength. As we try our best to follow God’s will, “the Comforter” – the Holy Spirit – gives us courage, stamina, insight, wisdom, patience and even the right words to speak. It’s our constant helper. Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 NIV) The Bible gives us hope that we can transform our minds to think like Jesus Christ. Our past behaviors don’t have to dictate our futures. We can change. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2) “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) The Bible, our Book of Hope, reveals to us our God of Hope. ❚ – Janine Pumilia 14
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Your Technology
How to Reduce Your Technology Bills
B y Pe g g y We r n e r any of us are spending more than we need to for technology simply because we don’t understand our options. Tech services like phone, Internet, TV and home security evolve quickly and can be confusing, but it’s easier than you may think to figure out what works best for your situation, says Charles Zambrano, owner and general manager of EZ Satellite & Wireless in Loves Park. “I make sure the customers know exactly what they’re getting and aren’t paying for services they don’t want or need,” says Zambrano. He asks customers about the number of TVs and phones they have, favorite channels, streaming and recording habits, how they use high-speed internet and so forth. “Most customers are paying too much, $250 or more for phone, TV and internet,” he says. “I can save them $50 to
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$100 per month by offering them the best deals each company has to offer. “A lot of people are not happy with their tech services, but are afraid to change or don’t have time to do the research. But it’s not that hard to start saving money.” Zambrano also helps people to make better use of their smart phones to enhance their particular lifestyles. Products like the Google Nest Hub, Google Assistant and Amazon’s Alexa are ideal for those who want to monitor and access their homes and businesses remotely or with voice commands. Especially in the age of COVID-19, it’s useful to monitor package delivery and speak to people at your door remotely. You can also switch lights on and off, change the thermostat settings and unlock doors remotely. EZ Satellite & Wireless is licensed
to offer services from any provider using dish, cable, internet and home security, including Rise Broadband, Comcast, HughesNet, DirectTV, Digitenna, Vivint, ATT and Nest products. Zambrano’s store is regularly sanitized, social distancing is observed, masks are worn and interactions are contact-free. Call (815) 957-4335 or stop by to see him at 6239 N. 2nd St. in Loves Park. ❚
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Offer for new and qualifying former customers only. Important Terms and Conditions: Qualification: Advertised price requires credit qualification and 24-month commitment. Upfront activation and/or receiver upgrade fees may apply based on credit qualification. Offer ends 7/14/21. 2-year commitment: Early termination fee of $20/mo. remaining applies if you cancel early. Included in 2-year price guarantee at $64.99 advertised price: America’s Top 120 programming package, local channels, HD service fees, and Hopper Duo Smart DVR for 1 TV. Included in 2-year price guarantee for additional cost: Programming package upgrades ($79.99 for AT120+, $89.99 for AT200, $99.99 for AT250), monthly fees for upgraded or additional receivers ($5-$7 per additional TV, receivers with additional functionality may be $10-$15). Regional Sports: RSN surcharge up to $3/mo. applies to AT120+ and higher packages and varies based on location. NOT included in 2-year price guarantee or advertised price (and subject to change): Taxes & surcharges, add-on programming (including premium channels), DISH Protect, and transactional fees. Premium Channels: 3 Mos. Free: After 3 mos., you will be billed $30/mo. for Showtime, Starz, and DISH Movie Pack unless you call or go online to cancel. Remote: The DISH Voice Remote with Google Assistant requires internet-connected Hopper, Joey, or Wally device. Customer must press Voice Remote button to activate feature. Google Assistant Smart Home features require Google account and compatible devices. Google is a trademark of Google LLC. Other: All packages, programming, features, and functionality and all prices and fees not included in price guarantee are subject to change without notice. After 6 mos., if selected, you will be billed $9.99/mo. for DISH Protect Silver unless you call to cancel. After 2 years, then-current everyday prices for all services apply. For business customers, additional monthly fees may apply. Free standard professional installation only. Some features, including mobile alerts, remote control, video streaming, video recording, remote control and custom schedules, require the Nest app, working internet and Wi-Fi, and Nest Connect or Nest Guard. Google and Google Nest Hello are registered trademarks of Google LLC. BDRIVE_26551
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Right in Our Region
What’s New at Klehm Garden Fair June 5 & 6 By Peggy Werner arden Fair Weekend is back! Shop for a variety of plants, antiques, garden art and more, while enjoying food and music from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 5, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 6, at Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden, 2715 S. Main St. “We’re expecting a great year,” says Klehm Executive Director Alexander Mills. “People are ready to return to outdoor events in a safe way. The pandemic really helped people to understand the value of being outdoors and we want them to continue to visit, explore and experience nature safely, year-round.” The Garden Fair is Klehm’s biggest fundraiser, and is now in its 28th year. Attendees will notice some new features and vendors. Klehm’s Fountain Garden will turn into a weekend-long Learning and
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Education Garden, where non-profit organizations with a focus on gardening, nature, conservation and the environment will offer demonstrations, talks and information. Musicians, including Trinadora and Emerald Wind, will perform between presentations. The food court is adjacent to the fountain area and will include Cantina Taco, Pizza Fresca, Prairie Street Brewing Company and many others. Mills says the Learning and Education Garden fits nicely with Klehm’s mission “to be a living museum for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of all people.” “We wanted to add more educational opportunities for people interested in nature, the outdoors and conservation because people attending the Garden Fair have interests in these areas,” he says.
Michelle Cox, owner of The Landscape Connection, says her business has been represented at every Garden Fair since 2013. It’s a win-win for everyone, she says, since she can promote her own business, support Klehm and give customers a chance to get outdoors, socialize and find good deals. “We’ll be featuring all those wonderful items you need to create your own personal outdoor space, whether that’s on the porch or out in the yard,” says Cox. “We try to be different and offer things other vendors are not selling. This year,
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MADE IN THE USA
Right in Our Region
we’ll have a great variety of succulents, perennials and ornamentals, and everything will be on sale.” Some other items and businesses at the Garden Fair this year include Artsy Garden Glass & Metal Art; Bloom and Grow Gardens, Inc.; Branching Out, Inc., selling trees, shrubs and perennials; yard art, bird houses and antiques by Creekside Peddler; unique handmade jewelry from Designs by Jeff; dip mixes and seasoning from Dip ‘n Good Dips; hand-poured soy candles from Emily’s Candles & Bath; Stone art from Filigree Studios; nature photography by Griffin Photo and Design; succulents, houseplants and planters from John’s Plants;
hair accessories for gardening by Lilla Rose Hair Accessories; air plants, terrariums and fairy gardens by Mama T’s AirPlants; paintings and handmade cards by Peony Girl; Wooden signs and stakes by Sign After Sign; hand cast garden stones from Stonecrete; statues, windchimes and lawn art by What’s New; and native plants by Wild Ones. Visitors will notice a new 64-squarefoot limestone sign with bold lettering and Klehm’s logo at the arboretum’s South Main Street entrance. It was put in place last fall and a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held early in May. Several local businesses worked together to make and install the sign, including Arc Design Resources, Stenstrom Construction, Larson & Darby, Miller Engineering, Shawcraft Sign and Tree Care Enterprises. “There’s no missing us now,” says Mills. “People, especially out-of-towners, would not always see us sometimes and would drive right past or have to circle around because they missed the
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entrance. That’s not a problem anymore. Visitors to the city can now see us as one of the many exciting destinations in Rockford. And with the new hotel up the street and the redesigned highway interchange at U.S. 20, we fit in very well with the new corridor.” To enhance safety at the event, tickets will be sold in advance as well as at the door. Face coverings are required except when eating and drinking. Signs will direct traffic flow. Social distancing is encouraged and hand sanitizer stations will be placed in high traffic areas. By entering Klehm, you’re confirming you have no symptoms of COVID-19. Tickets are $5 in advance, $8 at the door and admission is free for members and children up to 12. Advanced tickets can be purchased at Didier Greenhouse, both Gensler Gardens locations, The Landscape Connection, Meridian Nursery, Pepper Creek Flowers and Plants, at both Village Green locations and at the Klehm Gift Shop. ❚
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THE AFTERNOON’S
FOUR QUEENS.
LAR KELLY C
ELAINE
CA ROJAS-
DEBORA
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STILLO
FIRST AT 4
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4:30P
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AT 5 LIVE + STREAMING +
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Your Health
Pandemic Lesson: Get Healthy & Stay Healthy By Peggy Werner
C
ircle of Wellness has left the pandemic behind and is once again open for all services, with an eye toward a brighter future and more offerings for clients. “Our focus is on health and wellness and how we all are going to live healthier from this point on,” says owner and founder Leila MacQueen. “Everyone will be thinking about living happier and healthier and how to do that and stay that way, rather than having the mindset of how to live through a pandemic.” She plans to expand her Med Spa to include medical aesthetics such as noninvasive face lift, skin correction and cosmetics soon. The spa already offers facials, skin care products and waxing. People need a healthy body, mind and spirit now more than ever, says McQueen.
“Many people have gained weight during the pandemic as a result of lack of activity, stress eating, feeling depressed and taking medicines that make you gain weight,” she says. “This leads to other health problems including joint pain and inflammation.” She believes the pandemic has taken a great toll on mental health. “I think it will take time to undo the damage, but if there’s ever another virus, we’ll be more prepared. Overall, though, I think people will be more health-conscious and businesses will capitalize on the trend by marketing goods and services to improve life in all ways.” Known for its chiropractic and mas-
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sage services, since opening in 2008, Circle of Wellness promotes wellness through weight loss, nutrition, acupuncture, breathing training, reflexology, lab tests and more. Learn more by calling (779) 423-1700 or visit circleofwellnessrockford.com. ❚
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