Smart Living Weekly - October 1, 2014 by Northwest Quarterly Mag

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Right in Our Region

Mendelssohn Tradition Continues By Peggy Werner

ounded in 1884 as Mendelssohn Club, Rockford’s Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center (MPAC) is the oldest continuous music organization in the U.S. It began when Mrs. Chandler Starr opened her home to entertain a group of women committed to cultivating and sustaining a musical culture in the community.

MPAC continues this tradition for its 2014-2015 season, offering a stellar lineup of performers and musicians to play in its intimate venue. Seating fewer than 400 people, the space allows for a personal and interactive experience for both concertgoers and performers, who come together following each performance for a meet-and-greet.

Pictured: Avalon String Quartet

Continued on p. 20

• Get All the SAVINGS You Deserve from Local Businesses

Home Entertainment Tech • Rockford Memorial Hospital Earns Top Performer Ranking • ‘Go Nuts!’ at Golf Outing Organize Your Garage • Bulk Up Breakfast with Milk • Why PCs Won’t Work as Biz Servers

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In This Issue Right in Our Region: .....................Cover & p. 20 Mendelssohn’s Exciting Season Your Home ........................................................11 See the Latest in Home Entertainment Inspiration & Worship .....................................12 Harvest Time Your Kitchen .................................................... 15 Bulk Up Breakfast with Milk Your Outings ....................................................17 ‘Go Nuts!’ Golf Outing Cancer Benefit Your Health ...................................................... 25 When to Talk Back to Your Doctor Your Health Care News .................................... 26 RMH Earns Top Performer Award Your Fun .......................................................... 27 Dining Locally ................................................. 29 Tips ................................................................... 31 Take Back Your Garage Space Your Money ...................................................... 33 Why Home PCs Don’t Work as Business Servers

Smart L iving Weekly ™

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes Executive Editor Janine Pumilia

Managing Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Associate Editor/Special Projects Editor Karla Nagy Senior Staff Writer/Promotions Coordinator Paul Anthony Arco Graphics Director Blake Nunes Graphic Designer Samantha Ryan Contributing Writers Craig Schmidt, Peggy Werner General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes General Manager/Northwest Business Magazine Dave Marino Account Executive Brian Hughes Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes Website www.NWQSmartLiving.com Published by Hughes Media Corp. 728 N. Prospect St., Rockford, IL, 61107 (815) 316-2300, Fax: (815) 316-2301 lhughes@northwestquarterly.com Smart Living Weekly. Copyright 2014 by Hughes Media Corp., 728 N. Prospect St., Rockford, IL, 61107. 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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Glory Days D

id you know that Rockford’s Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center is the oldest continuous community music organization of its kind in the United States? Just think about that. In the United States. There are a lot of music-loving people and music-loving cities in the United States. It all started 130 years ago this week. A group of lady music lovers met in the North Main Street home of Clara Blanche Ellis Starr to perform and listen to compositions, especially those of Romance-era German composer, pianist and conductor Felix Mendelssohn. On Oct. 4, 1884, Mendelssohn Club of Rockford was born. In time, the club morphed from a group of friends into a community music organization offering membership to everyone. An annual concert series featuring national and internationally known musicians, as well as homegrown talent, was established, and local musicians were nourished, in all kinds of ways, as they still are. This is the kind of rich cultural experience that blooms in prosperous cities where community-minded people have the time, means and freedom to cultivate it. Rockford was very much that kind of city in the late 1800s and beyond. It’s easy to forget what an excellent reputation our city once enjoyed, and how much we still benefit from that legacy. We are not a miserable city. We are people who love music, art, dance, theater, science, recreation, fine food and each other. It’s wise to appreciate a group like Mendelssohn for the solid bridge it provides both to our glorious past and our glorious future. We can learn from it. What impresses me most is that local music lovers worked hard in every decade, not just the prosperous ones, to keep this organization stable and its standards high. (Hence, oldest continuous community music organization.) It has diversified in the kinds of music it presents, but never wavers on making quality music part of the cultural fabric of Rockford. And we’re all richer for this. Be proud of your community! Have a great first week of October! Janine Pumilia Executive Editor Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Weekly

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We’ re here , fo r yo u.

Area’s best in patient safety FHN Memorial Hospital was recently recognized for a second year for our patient safety record by the world’s largest independent, non-profit product-

We at FHN are committed to a safe patient experience, and are proud that

and service-testing organization. In their second U.S. study, in which safety scores were calculated for nearly 2,000 hospitals, only 6% nationwide – and only four hospitals in Illinois – earned a score

FHN Memorial Hospital, which scored higher than any other hospital close to the communities it serves.*

as high or higher as

It is our goal to offer our communities the best possible healthcare services we can provide, and recognition such as this confirms our commitment to your confidence in our processes and capabilities. Whether you need surgery, cancer treatment or other specialty care close to home, a hand in welcoming a new baby into your life, help in handling a chronic health condition, or emergency care,

choose the best in the area for patient safety: FHN.

For more information, visit www.fhn.org or call 1-877-6000-FHN (1-877-600-0346).

* Within a 50-mile radius of Freeport

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Y H  G

See the Latest in Home Entertainment By Peggy Werner

onsidering a new flat-screen TV or sound system? To see the latest in home entertainment technology and its capabilities, stop in at Primetime Audio/ Video, 6917 E. State St., Rockford. “We stay on the forefront of new consumer technology coming out,” says owner Tom Priola. The original 3,000 square-foot space opened 20 years ago as Stateline Satellite Co., providing equipment and sign-up for satellite television. Since then, Priola has remodeled or expanded 25 times to keep pace with what’s available to customers. Primetime still offers services for DIRECTV and Dish Network, but with the rapid advances in technology, Priola has expanded his products and services to better assist people in accomplishing their goals in their homes and businesses. Today, Primetime offers products and services from a wide variety of vendors and manufacturers.

At Primetime, individual rooms mirror customer environments to showcase electronic technologies. “We’re different here, because customers can actually see how equipment will look and sound in their homes,” Priola says. “Unlike most stores that focus on selling various products of the same brand, we help people to match the best of each brand, while helping them stay within their budget. We’re all about quality products at the guaranteed best price possible.” One room is completely devoted to the full line of sound equipment by Bose for home and commercial use. A home theater addition allows people to experience surround sound. One space demonstrates a ceiling sound system for existing homes, while another shows lighting, sound and climate control for new homes.

There’s even a room set up with systems for commercial settings, such as doctor offices and conference rooms, and equipment for video conferencing. “We’ll spend a lot of time talking with customers to find out what they want, what they want to accomplish, and how much they want to spend,” Priola says. “The more we know, the more we can help them to be completely satisfied with their purchase.” ❚

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I  W

Harvest Time W

ith October comes an awareness of the harvest, even among city dwellers. We like to observe what’s going on in countryside fields. We relish the rich kaleidoscope spread out in stalls of local farmers markets. We relish our jaunts to apple orchards, pumpkin fields and vineyards. Especially in our fertile Midwest, something about the harvest makes us proud and a little awed by what our rich soil can do. Because most of the Bible plays out in agrarian societies, scripture is rich with earthy metaphors about spiritual sowing and reaping, life and death. Here are a few to contemplate as we pick out those perfect pumpkins. May we never forget just Who gives us these good gifts to enjoy. In Leviticus 23:22, God commands: “And when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, nor shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the Lord your God.” In John 15:1-11, Jesus says, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” In Matthew 13:23, Jesus says: “As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” – Janine Pumilia

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Y K

5 Tips for a Better Breakfast T

o ensure that your morning meal gets you off on the right start, opt for one with protein. While experts recommend 20-30 grams of protein at each meal, the average breakfast bowl and plate only contain 10-12 grams. One way to close the gap is to include an 8-ounce glass of milk. All milk, including fat-free and lowfat, packs the same nutrient-rich punch, with nine essential nutrients, including 8 grams of high-quality protein in an 8-ounce glass – that’s more protein than an egg. Here are five tips to help you enjoy a better breakfast to help power your day.

• Count to (at Least) Three Make sure your breakfast consists of three of the five food groups, including dairy, fruits, vegetables, meat/beans and whole grains. • Make It With Milk Like oatmeal? Swap out water for milk – 8 ounces adds 8 grams of protein for a creamy addition to your oatmeal. • Drink It With Milk Drink an 8-ounce glass of milk with any breakfast. It not only enhances the meal’s nutritional value but gets you closer to the recommended amount of protein per meal. Each serving of milk also includes nearly one-third of the daily-recommended amount of calcium and vitamin D. • To Go, Please No time to eat at home? No problem! Grab fruit, a granola bar and milk to go. You can also make a quick smoothie by swirling in 1/2 cup of milk to your favorite recipe, and add a tablespoon of almond butter for an extra protein punch. • Get Organized If you find yourself rushing in the mornings, plan ahead and think about breakfast after dinner. You can set the table the night before with bowls and glasses, and pre-mix ingredients to maximize time in the morning.

Hearty Oatmeal Ingredients

1¾ cup lowfat or fat-free milk 1 cup old fashioned or quick-cooking oats (not instant) 1 tsp. brown sugar ⅛ tsp. ground cinnamon ¼ cup sliced strawberries ¼ cup dried cherries 3 tbsp. toasted sliced almonds (¾ oz.)

Directions

Combine milk, quick-cooking oats, brown sugar and cinnamon in saucepan; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir often to prevent boiling over. Cook until thickened. Divide between two serving bowls and top with strawberries, cherries and almonds. Serve immediately. Makes: 2 servings Nutrition: 510 calories, 8 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 10 mg cholesterol, 25 g protein, 87 g carbohydrates, 8 g fiber, 0 mg sodium, 600 mg calcium (60% of daily value). Nutrition figures based on using fat-free milk.

Get more tips and recipes for breakfasts by visiting milklife.com/recipes. ❚ Source: Family Features Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Weekly

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Y O

‘Go Nuts!’ Golf Outing for Healing Pathways By Paul Arco, senior staff writer

ealing Pathways Cancer Resource Center in Rockford is a nonprofit organization that offers complimentary programs and services to cancer patients, survivors and their families and loved ones. A year ago, it was a place Collin Severing wasn’t even aware of, let alone ever imagined he would need. The Eastern Illinois University student was excited to be back on campus for his sophomore year when he began to feel ill. On Aug. 27, 2013, the Rockford resident should have been celebrating his 20th birthday. Instead, he spent the day in bed. “I thought maybe it was an infection,” Severing says. “I never thought it was cancer.” Unfortunately, it was testicular cancer. First up was surgery, followed by three months of chemotherapy that brought Severing home from school. He was miserable. “All my hair fell out, and I was dealing with low blood counts,” he says. “I couldn’t visit my girlfriend or friends. The mental aspect was the hardest part.” More than 8,000 men are diagnosed with testicular cancer each year, most often in men between the ages of 20 and 39.

The exact causes of testicular cancer are not known, although several factors can increase a man’s chance of developing this disease, including congenital abnormalities and family history. Since his recovery, Severing has become active in raising awareness for the disease and assisting organizations like Healing Pathways. He’s taken part in fundraising events. On Friday, Oct. 3, at 12:30 p.m., to raise awareness for testicular cancer, the sixth annual “Go Nuts!” Golf Play Day tees off at Timber Pointe Golf Club in Poplar Grove, Ill. Severing will be there. Sponsored by Rockford Health System, the event’s proceeds benefit Healing Pathways. Cost is $100 per person, which includes greens fee, cart and dinner. To register, call Healing Pathways at (815) 977-4123, or visit healingpathwayscrc.org. Severing is excited to take part in events such as “Go Nuts!” He’s healthy, back in school and enjoying life. “I have a new perspective,” he says. “I appreciate things a lot more. Life’s too short not to be happy.” ❚

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Mendelssohn’s Tradition Continued from Cover

Mendelssohn’s season, which kicked off Sept. 26 with Ryan & Ryan, a dynamic father-son piano duo, includes its Main Stage concerts, its Charlotte’s Web series and Jazz at Emerson/Music on Main series, as well as the Young Musicians Series. Performances take place at one of MPAC’s three venues, Mendelssohn Hall, the historic Emerson House and the Starr Center. The original venue is the Starr Center, at 415 N. Church St. In 2005, to accommodate its growth, Mendelssohn Club purchased Emerson House, located at 415 N. Church St., which was built in 1952. On Jan. 1, 2013, thanks to the generosity of Dr. William and Mrs. Leah Baskin, MPAC took possession of its “new” Mendelssohn Hall, 406 N. Main St., formerly the First Presbyterian Church. These purchases have allowed the group to expand its quality music programming, education and performing opportunities that it provides for everyone in the community. Six months ago, Kathleen Montgomery became the new executive director of MPAC. An educator with experience in nonprofit development and leadership, she’s a strong advocate for the role of arts in a community, and she’s taken on her job with high energy and a vision TorQ Percussion Quartet

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for the future. She and husband Chris, who was offered an engineering position at Eclipse, decided to come to Rockford, in large part, because of its flourishing arts scene. “The arts are important to us,” Montgomery says. “We love chamber and classical music and needed to know we were coming to a place that had a symphony and other high-quality music.” The couple have four children, all of whom study music. Despite the larger venue, Montgomery assures concertgoers that they will continue to have the intimate musical experience they expect from a Mendelssohn concert. “We still want people to feel connected to the music in a most personal way and to feel motivated to learn by listening to the artists and being able to ask them questions about their work,” she says. In addition to Ryan & Ryan, other performers secured for MPAC’s upcoming season, which runs through April 26, 2015, include TorQ Percussion Quartet, four Canadian artists committed to commissioning new works from both established and up-andcoming composers, and Quintet Attacca, a Chicago chamber music ensemble dedicated to performing accessible and cutting-edge numbers from the classical and romantic eras, as well as jazz and pieces with a Latin influence. The Avalon String Quartet, quartet-inresidence at the Northern Illinois University School of Music, began a four-concert series on Sept. 14. “Brahms: Traditionalist

R  O R and Innovator” continues Nov. 2, Feb. 15 and April 26, with each concert featuring a selection by Brahms. The Charlotte’s Web Series includes two concerts at Emerson House, with James Lee Stanley on Oct. 10 and Red Tail Ring on Nov. 15. Two concerts in Mendelssohn Hall, Tom Chapin on Oct. 24 and Ecletica on March 27, 2015, will feature a pre-concert buffet and cash bar in the banquet room. Local musicians take the stage each month from 5:30-7:30 p.m., in the beautiful Emerson House. “Music on Main” events happen on the Tom Chapin second Thursday of the month, while “Jazz at Emerson” is held on the third Thursday. At each event, The 320 Store sponsors food while Rockford Brewing Co. provides a cash bar. “Weaving musical excellence into the fabric of our society is something Mendelssohn has been doing for 128 years and will continue to do,” says Montgomery. Montgomery stepped into her role with the help of a supportive Board of Directors and many volunteers, and immediately went to work on forming 10 committees to do the work of MPAC, while moving along a capital campaign Kathleen Montgomery that was underway to enlarge the stage

and make other necessary building improvements. She regularly meets with local arts leaders and recruits people to rent the facilities for office space, fundraisers and events. She’s streamlined office procedures and encourages local merchants to be involved in events by providing food and drink. She is most proud of the new flex pass, which allows concertgoers to purchase season tickets without committing to a set schedule. Felix’s Cabaret, MPAC’s annual fall fundraiser, will be held at Forest Hills Country Club on Oct. 17. All proceeds support musical programming, performing arts opportunities and youth scholarships at the arts center. This year’s event, themed “Felix Goes to Vegas!” begins with cocktails at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner and entertainment by the Rat Pack Revue, starring local and regional talent. Cost is $75 per person or $600 for a table for eight. Reservations are due by Oct. 13. Montgomery is passionate about her work and knows what she wants to accomplish. “I just want to make a positive difference in the lives of people,” she says. “I love starting things, and the energy that comes from bringing together skilled people to make something wonderful happen.” For more information about events or to purchase tickets, call MPAC at (815) 964-9713 or visit mendelssohnpac.org. ❚ The Only Full Time ABA Certified Group of Interventional Pain Management Physicians in the Rockford area

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When to Talk Back to Your Doctor By Craig Schmidt

n the past, the doctor took the lead and the patient followed. These days, a good doctor-patient relationship is more like a partnership. And that’s a good thing. Patients who communicate freely with their doctors tend to be more satisfied with their care and to have better results. Despite progress in this area, some patients still feel intimidated by the white coat. They may be reluctant to assert themselves in order to get the care they need and want. Take surgical procedures, for instance. Most surgeries are not emergencies and are considered elective procedures. You typically have time to learn as much as you can about the operation. You also have time to work with your surgeon, as a team, to address any concerns you might have. You’ll benefit most from treatment when you understand what’s happening

and what it will or will not do. Feel free to ask questions or talk back if the doctor’s explanations or instructions are unclear. Otherwise, your doctor will assume you agree with everything that was said. Most surgeons are on the medical staff of one or two local hospitals. Many surgeries can be performed on an outpatient basis in an ambulatory surgery center or in a hospital’s day-surgery unit. Surgery in a freestanding surgery center is less expensive because this type of facility has lower overhead than a hospital does. If you or a family member requires a surgical procedure that will be scheduled as an outpatient, ask your physician if it can be performed safely in a surgery center, rather than the hospital outpatient department. If cost is a concern, ask the doctor if less-expensive choices are available. You want to be in the right place for your operation and your checkbook.

Be “pleasantly persistent,” until you get the answers you need. Remember, having your doctor understand you is a two-way street. Information and questions have to flow both ways. ❚

Source: Rockford Ambulatory Surgery Center

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RMH Ranked Among the Best by US News Again F

or the fourth straight year, Rockford U.S. News creates the list of hospital Memorial Hospital has made the rankings to help steer patients to hospiprestigious U.S. News & World Report tals with strong skills in the procedures list of “2014-2015 Best Regional Hosand medical conditions that present the pitals.” biggest challenges. The regional rankings reveal which This is just one of several recognihospitals are best in each city or state. tions. Earlier this year, RMH received RMH moved up four spots from last the Healthgrades Patient Safety Excelyear, ranking 24th out of more than 200 lence Award for the sixth time in the hospitals in Illinois. RMH is the only past seven years. The only local hospilocal hospital to repeatedly receive this tal ever to earn this recognition, it placdesignation. es its patient safety ratings in the top 5 After reviewing patient outcomes percent of hospitals in the U.S. and patient safety initiatives, the magaIn addition, Rockford Memorial zine chose RMH physicians and profesHospital was recently named as one of sionals as “high performers” in health the most wired hospitals in the nation by care, compared with peers in the region Geriatrics was one five RMH specialties recognized as Hospitals & Health Networks. The list high performing by US News & World Report for 2014- recognizes how health care systems use and across the country. Five specialties at RMH were rec- 2015, along with nephrology, neurology & neurosurgery, technology in clinical integration, busipulmonology and urology. ognized as high-performing: geriatrics, ness & administration management, nephrology, neurology & neurosurgery, pulmonology and urology. quality and safety processes, and inpatient and outpatient usage. Rankings are based on scores in several areas, including patient “All of these accomplishments are because of our 3,500 physafety, nurse-to-patient ratios, recovery rates, advanced technolo- sicians, employees and volunteers who take very seriously their gies and patient services, and factoring in patient volume within responsibility to provide the highest level of care and compassion each specialty. to their patients,” says Gary E. Kaatz, RHS president and CEO. ❚

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(Midway Village Museum photo)

A Flea in Her Ear Through Oct. 4, daily 8 p.m., plus Sat. 2 p.m. Whimsical 19th-century farce of secret rendezvous, mistaken identities and crazy coincidences. Rock Valley College, 3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford, (815) 921-2160, rvcstarlight.com. And Miss Reardon Drinks a Little Oct. 2-Oct. 5, Thu.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Three sisters raised by a domineering mother adjust to things following her death. Maddox Theatre, Rockford University, 5050 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 226-4100, rockford.edu.

Kip Moore Attend Scarecrow Harvest Festival at Midway Village Oct. 2, 8 p.m. This country singer-song- Museum in Rockford, Oct. 4-5. writer scored with the hits “Somethin’ ’Bout a Truck,” “Beer Money,” “Hey Pretty Girl.” Scarecrow Harvest Festival Coronado Performing Arts Center (CPAC), Rock- Oct. 4-5, noon-5 p.m. Make a scarecrow, straw ford, (815) 968-0595, coronadopac.org. provided; buy clothing/accessories or BYO. Threshing, bailing, blacksmithing demos; horseBill Cosby drawn wagon rides; more. Midway Village, 6799 Oct. 3, 8 p.m. Few have achieved the legendary Guilford Road, Rockford, midwayvillage.com. status of this performer. CPAC, Rockford, (815) 968-0595. Autumn on Parade Oct. 4-5, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Live entertainment, Crafts Rockford Oktoberfest & Farmers markets, car-truck-motorcycle show, Oct. 3-4, Fri. 5 p.m.-midnight, Sat. noon. Tradi- antique tractor show, food vendors, parade Sun. tional German dancing, folk, polka music; au- 1 p.m., more. Downtown Oregon, Ill., autumthentic German food & Bier. Wiener Dog Race; nonparade.org. kids’ activities; more. City Hall, 100 Heart Blvd., Loves Park, rockfordoktoberfest.org. Autumn at the Arboretum Oct. 5, 9 a.m. Experience the beauty of fall as Fall ArtScene we use our entire 155-acre property for familyOct. 3-4, Fri. 5-9 p.m., Sat. 4-9 p.m. Original art friendly enjoyment. Klehm Arboretum, 2715 S. at 37 different locations across Rockford. Admis- Main St., Rockford, (815) 965-8146, klehm.org. sion free. (815) 963-6765, FallArtScene.com. James Lee Stanley Kraig Kenning Oct. 10, 7:30 p.m. This American folk singer/ Oct. 4, 3 p.m. Original contemporary folk, blues, songwriter has toured with the likes of Bonnie roots rock. $7, limited seating. Severson Dells Raitt and Art Garfunkel. Emerson House, 420 N. Nature Center, 8786 Montague Road, Rockford, Main St., Rockford, (815) 964-9713, mendels(815) 335-2915, seversondells.com. sohnpac.org. Cider N’ Cinnamon Arts & Crafts Fair Oct. 4-5, Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 4 p.m. Art, jewelry, crafts, clothing, refurbished/vintage home decor. Edgebrook, 1639 N. Alpine Road, Rockford, (815) 398-8957, edgebrookshops.com.

Train Of Terror Oct. 11, 18, 25, 6-10 p.m. Spooky 4-mile train ride with scary scenes along the tracks. Lunch available. $8. Silver Creek & Stephenson Railroad, 2954 S. Walnut, Freeport, (815) 235-2198.

Locktoberfest Apple Days Oct. 4-26, Sat-Sun 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Pumpkin patch, carnival rides, corn maze, pony rides, hayrides, seasonal food. Free; some paid activities. new theme each weekend. Lockwood Park, 5201 Safford Road, Rockford, (815) 987-8809.

Russian Quatro Oct. 12, 3 p.m. Down-to-earth stage manner and classical favorites on two violins and two cellos. Freeport Community Concert Association. Masonic Temple, 305 W. Stephenson St., Freeport, (815) 232-4214. ❚

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Oct. 1

WDL

Smart Dining Weekly Our Top Picks for Terrific Local Restaurants Key: D Dinner, L Lunch, Br Brunch, Bk Breakfast

Price: $ under $12.50, $$ $12.50-$25, $$$ $25+

9 East Coffee E Specialty coffees, pastries, breakfast & lunch items. 9 E. Stephenson St., Freeport. (815) 233-7300. $ Amici Italian Grill E Upscale-Casual/Italian. Fresh, authentic Italian cuisine. 5506 Clayton Circle, Roscoe, (815) 6237171. LD Sun-Th 11am-9pm, F-Sat 11am-10-pm. $-$$. Bravo Pizza E Italian/American favorites, full bar. 376 Prairie Hill Rd., South Beloit, Ill. (815) 624-7900. LD Sun-Th 11am10pm, F-Sat to 11pm. $. Butterfly Club E Upscale-Casual/Fine Dining. 5246 E. Co. Road X, Beloit, Wis. (608) 362-8577. LD T-Th 5-9:30pm, F 4:30-10pm, Sat 5-10pm, Sun noon-8pm. Live bands. $$. Cafe Fromage E Artisan sandwiches, soups, cheese plates, baked goods. 431 E. Grand, Beloit, Wis. (608) 207-3094. $. Cannova’s Pizzeria & Fine Italian Cuisine E Casual. Pizza, pasta, steak, seafood. 1101 W. Empire St., Freeport, (815) 233-0032. D T-Th, Sun 5-9pm; F-Sat 10pm. $-$$. Ciao Bella Ristorante E Upscale-Casual/Italian-American. Extensive wine list; daily specials. 6500 E. Riverside, Loves Park, (815) 654-9900. LD M-F 11am-9pm, Sat 5-9pm. $$. Costa’s Ristorante E Upscale-Casual. 133 Blackhawk Dr., Byron, Ill., (815) 234-4707. Open daily 4pm. $-$$. Dos Reales E Casual/Authentic Mexican. 5855 E. State St., Rockford. LD M-Th, Sun 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 10:30pm. $. Franchesco’s Ristorante E Upscale/Italian-American. Sommelier, live entertainment, weddings, Sinatra Lounge, Benny’s Bar. 7128 Spring Creek Rd, Rockford, (815) 229-0800. LD M-Th 11am-10pm, F to 11pm, Sat-Sun 4pm. $$. Giordano’s E Casual/Italian. Pasta, deep-dish pizza, specialties. 333 Executive Pkwy., Rockford, (815) 398-5700, LD 11 a.m.-midnight $. JMK Nippon Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar E Upscale-Casual. Food cooked tableside. 2551 N. Perryville, Rockford, (815) 877-0505. L T-F 11:30am-2pm, Sat 2:30pm; D M-Th 5-9:30pm, F-Sat 10:30pm, Sun 4:30-9:30pm. $$. Joey C’ Cucina & Cocktails E Upscale-Casual/Italian. 2583 N. Mulford, Rockford, (815) 639-1200. LD M-T 4-10pm, W-Th 11am-9pm, F to 10pm, Sat-Sun 4-10pm $. Leombruni’s Italian Village Pizza & Restaurant E Casual. 110 W. 2nd St., Byron, Ill., (815) 234-2696. D T-Th 5-9pm, F-Sat to 11pm, Sun to 10pm. $.

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Lucha Cantina E Casual/Mexican. Fresh ingredients, no MSG, steaks, mac ‘n cheese, burgers. 1641 N. Alpine, Rockford, (815) 977-4319. LD M-Th 11am-midnight, F-Sat 2am. $. Main Street Bistro E Fine dining, full bar, live music Thurs. and Sat. 109 S. Galena Ave., Freeport, (815) 232-2322. LD M-Sat 2pm-midnight. $$ Maciano’s Pizza & Pastaria E Casual. Italian favorites, beer & wine. 6746 Broadcast Pkwy., Loves Park, Ill., (815) 963-7869. LD Sun-Th 11am-midnight, F-Sat to 11pm. $$. Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint E Fine Dining. Ironworks Hotel, 500 Pleasant St., Beloit, Wis. (608) 313-0700 D Sun-Th 4:30-9pm, Fri-Sat to 10pm. $$. Napoli Pizzeria III & Top Dollar Slots E Pizza, pasta, sandwiches, dinners, desserts. Takeout/delivery. 6560 N. Alpine, Loves Park, Ill., (815) 877-9888. LD Sun-Th11am10:30pm, F-Sat to 11:30pm. $-$$. Olympic Tavern E Casual/American. 2327 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 962-8758. LD M-Sat 11am-2am. $-$$. Prairie Grass Pub E Burgers, wraps, pork chops, steaks, pasta, daily fish fry. Craft beer, wine, signature cocktails. Deck, banquets. Prairie View Golf Course, 6734 German Church Rd., Byron, Ill. (815) 234--8535. LD daily 10am. $-$$. Prairie Street Brewhouse E Upscale-Casual/American. Riverside dining, handcrafted beers, banquet rooms, marina. 200 Prairie St., Rockford, (815) 277-9427. LD Sun-W 11am10pm, Th to midnight, F-Sat to 2am. $-$$. Tavern on Clark E Casual/American. Tavern-style fare, big burgers, steaks, fries, flatbreads. Full bar; banquets. 755 Clark Ave., Rockford, (815) 708-7088. LD daily 10am. $-$$. This Is It Eatery E Ribs, burgers, pasta, salads. 16 N. Chicago Ave., Freeport, (815) 616-5449. LD T-Th 11am-8pm, F-Sat to 10pm. $. Vito’s Ristorante E Casual/Italian. Authentic fare from family recipes. Sauces, soups, mama’s meatballs, desserts fresh daily. 1620 N. Bell School Rd., Rockford, (815) 312-5080. LD T-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11pm. $$. White Pines Inn E Home-style dining in log cabin atmosphere. Area’s largest buffet Sunday. 6712 White Pines Rd., Mt. Morris, Ill., (815) 946-3817. BkLD M-Th 8am-8pm, F-Sat to 9pm, Sun to 7pm, Br Sun 8am-2pm. $$$. ❚

Find more great local restaurants. See our Expanded Dining Guide at NorthwestQuarterly.com/Dining

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Oct. 1

5 NEW reasons to celebrate! Try our new Fresh-tini collection! ™

Five fresh fruit bouquets arranged in a stylish martini container. Call, visit or order at edible.com

Birthday Wish-tini.

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815-282-9799 6840 Springcreek Road Rockford, IL 61114

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Oct. 1

T  I

Tame Your Garage Clutter J

ust a few steps can help homeowners to organize and reclaim their garage space.

Clean and Prep Take everything out of the garage and start with a clean slate. As you remove items, be realistic about their value and divide them into three categories: KEEP items you use regularly; DONATE or sell items that are still in good shape but aren’t being used regularly; TOSS items that are broken or outdated. Have a Game Plan First, measure so you can make an accurate plan. Factor in large items like lawn mowers and sports equipment. Next, decide your storage needs and preferences. Do you prefer items on hooks, in baskets or in cabinets? Do you keep all of your tools together, or group them by use? Several storage systems, such as Gladiator GarageWorks, are out there, so explore your options. Build Your Storage System Choose storage solutions that are durable and long-lasting. Stackable plastic storage bins or shelves reduce clutter, but they don’t always handle extreme temperatures, offer little design flexibility and may limit access to some items. “Modular storage systems for the walls are convenient and easy to install,” says Master Builder Karl Champley. “They get everything off the floor and can be customized.” Gladiator GarageWorks and other modular storage system starter kits are available at most major home improvement retailers. Final Touches • Keep a trash can near your work area. • Hang tools near your workbench so you can easily put them away. • Keep smaller items like screws and nails in bins and storage containers. For more organizational tips and ideas, visit gladiatorgarageworks.com. ❚ Source: Family Features

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Oct. 1

Y M

Why Home PCs Won’t Work as Business Servers S

ome small-business owners try to use a home PC to run their business networks, instead of a standard server computer. Although a network server looks like a high-end desktop computer, it’s engineered to perform entirely different functions. Here are the vital features to look for.

Stability A business server must have an efficient CPU and a robust resource sharing system,

in order to allocate sufficient memory and CPU processing time to various users and applications, without allowing any user to make the server unstable. Home PCs easily become unstable any time a single user’s application requires a large amount of memory or processing time. That’s why, when Little Brother is downloading an action flick, Big Sis has trouble sending her latest selfie to her BFFs. Imagine trying to email a client’s vital documents at the same time a colleague is videoconferencing.

Redundancy All well-built servers have several hard drives that work together to ensure no data loss or denial of access when one fails. This Redundant Array of Independent Discs – or RAID – enhances server reliability. Robust network servers also have redundant power supply units that provide an instant backup anytime the primary power

supply unit fails. Anyone who’s had a home computer crash knows the cost and turmoil of trying to recover family photos, recipes and tax returns. Imagine if you were to lose last year’s sales receipts, next year’s inventory projections and all of your clients’ purchase records. Efficiency All users should be provided with data promptly, especially during peak hours, and multiple redundant hardware components in standard network servers make this possible. Most home PCs can only hold two hard drives, so they can’t function as efficient network servers. Anyone who’s watched an endlessly rotating hourglass while waiting for a page to load can relate. You don’t want your staff’s workflow interrupted by a slow server. Overall, home PCs just don’t have the robust architecture and components needed in reliable business network servers. ❚

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Source: Bisconti Computers

Oct. 1

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