Smart Living Weekly February 20, 2019

Smart L iving Weekly Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • Rockford Region/Beloit/Freeport 95¢ • Feb. 20, 2019

™

Right in Our Region

PaleoFest: For Science Lovers of All Ages

See Page 16

2019 Home Furnishing Trends Home Show This Weekend Have You Tested for Radon?

Easy Apple Crostata Recipe Hometown Son in ‘Wizard of Oz’

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$25 Gift Card from Capital House See Pg. 28 Details

Best of Life Information for Our Region’s Residents & Visitors Proudly Serving the Needs of 326,000 Neighbors - For Your Home, Health & Fun!

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In This Issue

Right in Our Region ........................Cover & p. 16 PaleoFest: For Science Lovers of All Ages Your Home .................................................. ..... 11 2019 Home Furnishing Trends Inspiration & Worship ......................................12 Our Neighbors Your Kitchen .....................................................15 Easy Apple Crostata Your Outings .................................................... 24 Hometown Son in ‘Wizard of Oz’ Your Community .............................. .......... 18, 20 Renovation at RMTD; Rockford Home Show Your Health ............................................. ....21, 23 Choosing an Orthodontist; Why Test for Radon?

Your Fun ................................................... ......... 25

Restaurant of the Week ................................... 26 Salamone’s North Dining Locally .......................................... ........ 26 Your Money .............................................. ......... 29 Make Credit Cards Work for You

Smart L iving Weekly ™

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes

Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Managing Editor Lindsey Gapen Assistant Managing Editor Jermaine Pigee Editor Emeritus Janine Pumilia Graphics Director Blake Nunes Graphic Designer Samantha Behling Contributing Writer Peggy Werner, Paula Kalivoda Furniss General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes Advertising Sales Representatives Brian Hughes, Jeremy Jones, Nita Lasky, Anthony Franklin 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 Weekly.

Copyright 2019 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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Serendipity is Good

A

ttention all teachers! You have an amazing new opportunity at PaleoFest this year.

This event always makes me feel “Rockford proud” because of the high caliber of scientists it attracts. But this year, for the first time, professional development classes will be offered for teachers. Why is this a big deal?

Because Burpee Executive Director Anne Weerda is a teacher’s teacher – literally. A Northwestern molecular biology grad who’s as warm & funny as she is brainy, Weerda once told me, “The first time I saw sub-cellular interaction, I thought it was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen – or not seen.”

She worked at Chicago’s Field Museum, not too surprising for a scholar of her talent. But her next move was surprising: She took a position teaching chemistry in a south-side Chicago public high school that had already churned through three teachers for that position – and it was only October.

Weerda loved the job, the kids and the challenge, forming a core belief: “All kids can learn and want to learn.

It’s our responsibility to figure out where they’re at, to meet them there and to teach them about the exciting things this world has to offer.”

We all got very lucky on the day Weerda married a Rockford firefighter and chose to make her home here. And, our exceptional Burpee museum is a challenge worthy of her talent & energy.

How exciting to think of the magic that will take place at PaleoFest this year! If I were a teacher, I wouldn’t miss it for the world.

Have a great week! ❚ Janine Pumilia SLW Editor

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Buy it Today Sleep on it Tonight!

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Y H  G

2019 Furniture Trend: Comfort, Durability

By Janine Pumilia

C

omfort, function and classic good looks go hand in hand in today’s furniture styles and there have never been more ways to customize pieces for every room of the house, says Jackie Finnander, design consultant at Gustafson’s Furniture & Mattress, 6651 E. State St., Rockford.

“We’re noticing a lot of people looking for power reclining furniture with the power head rest and lumbar support,” says Finnander. “And we’re seeing more end tables and chair-side tables with outlets, USB ports and storage in them to make life easier.”

Both sectionals and traditional living room groupings have a place in today’s American home, she says.

Groupings are more easily moved around to accommodate special occasions.

“They give you more options when

This Flexsteel sectional offers comfort, durability, style and full customization.

it’s time to put up a Christmas tree or when you need to make space in a room so you can take pictures before a school dance,” says Finnander.

But people also love lounging on comfy sectionals, especially now that there are so many ways to customize them and the style options have expanded.

“People can get the exact shape they need to fit their family, with options for a chaise lounge, a cuddler, or even reclining seats, without having to give up the style they love,” she says.

It’s important to remember that

any furniture showroom displays only a fraction of what can be custom ordered.

Choose the fabric or leather, cushion depth and firmness, wood finish, arm and foot shape etc. that you want.

Finnander also sees people gravitating toward higher quality furniture.

“More people are understanding that you get what you pay for,” she says. “We don’t have time to constantly be on the lookout for replacement furniture in our fast-paced society. So people are starting to spend more for the quality piece they can depend on, rather than just getting the look for cheap.”

Both leather and durable man-made fabrics like polypropylene are popular with customers, she says. “Right now we’re seeing a trend toward tweed-look fabrics. The texture and color variance allows people to be more free when changing up their rooms. It’s a timeless transitional trend.” ❚

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I  W

Our Neighbors

T

he way we treat people is far more important to God than where we were born or what positions we hold.

In Luke 10:25 we read, “On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he asked, ‘What must I do to inherit eternal life?’

‘What is written in the Law?’ he [Jesus] replied. ‘How do you read it?’

He [the law expert] answered, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

‘You have answered correctly,’ Jesus replied. ‘Do this and you will live.’

But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’

At this point, Jesus relays a story. It’s important to understand that priests and Levites held the highest positions in his Jewish society. Samaritans, on the other hand, had been despised enemies of the Jews since ancient times.

Luke 10:30-37: In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.

“But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” ❚ 12

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Y K

An Easy, Tasty Apple Crostata Dessert H

ere’s and easy and delicious dessert recipe that takes a shortcut by using a Pillsbury refrigerated pie crust. There’s nothing wrong with using shortcuts in our busy lives - they’re part of smart living! Find more recipes at Culinary.net or Pillsbury.com.

Cinnamon Apple Crostata Pie Pastry (we used Pillsbury Refrigerated Pie Crusts) Filling 1/2 cup sugar 4 tsp. cornstarch 2 tsp. cinnamon 4 cups peeled and thinly sliced apples (4-5 medium sized) 1 tsp. sugar (for sprinkling) 2 tbs. chopped pecans

Heat oven to 450°. In medium bowl mix together 1/2 cup sugar, cornstarch and cinnamon.

Stir in peeled and sliced apples until well combined.

Place flattened pie crust on an ungreased cookie or pizza sheet.

Spoon apple mixture onto the center of the crust, spreading the mixture to about 2 inches from the edge of the crust.

Fold crust over mixture, pleating along the way.

Brush edges of crust with water.

Sprinkle sugar over crust and apple mixture.

Bake for 15-20 minutes or until crust is a golden brown.

Sprinkle pecans over apple mixture.

Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.. ❚ (Source: Family Features)

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R  O R

World-Class Scientists to Attend PaleoFest

By Peggy Werner urpee Museum’s PaleoFest will bring to Rockford some of the world’s leading scientists to speak about their research on fossilized plants and animals. These puzzle pieces help us to understand life from its earliest beginnings.

In its 21st year, PaleoFest is open to the public Saturday and Sunday, March 2-3, and features workshops, family lectures and sessions for teachers who want to bring the most current research information to their classrooms. All events are at the museum, 737 N. Main St. PaleoFest attracts specialists from around the world but also has something for all ages, says Burpee Museum Executive Director Anne Weerda.

“PaleoFest is an opportunity to celebrate the ongoing research and specimens at Burpee and other museums,” says Weerda. “The talks are designed for dinosaur and fossil enthusiasts of all ages.”

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A members-only reception will take place Friday, March 1, at 6 p.m., followed at 7 p.m. by an address from Burpee’s Engellehardt-Moore Director of Paleontology, Joshua Mathews.

Mathews, from Milton, Wis., was working on his Master’s degree at Northern Illinois University when he began volunteering as a fossil preparer in the Burpee paleontology lab, in 2004. He joined a small Burpee expedition to southeastern Montana in the summer of 2005. On that trip, the Triceratops, Homer, was discovered. Further excavation in 2006 revealed multiple Triceratops specimens, making it the first documented Triceratops bone bed, which became the focus of Mathew’s Master’s thesis. He’s now working on his doctorate degree at NIU. Mathews has been involved with PaleoFest since 2005 and seen it grow.

“The event attracts people who want

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to learn about history and are curious about what the world was like before we walked this earth,” he says. “They are literally seeing another world and piecing together stories to see how plants and animals lived millions of years ago.”

On both days, doors open at 9 a.m. with family workshops and activities for all ages from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Replicas or reproductions of specimens from museums around the country will be auctioned off throughout the day.

Saturday evening will begin with a 4:30 p.m. cocktail hour and a 6:30 p.m. dinner catered by Franchesco’s. Keynote speaker Sanna El-Sayed of Mansoura University in Egypt will give a presentation at 7 p.m. She is the first woman vertebrate paleontologist from the Middle East to have her work published internationally and is the vice president of the Vertebrate Paleontology Center, the first

R  O R

of its kind in Egypt. She has led many excavations.

PaleoFest visitors can also see the real “Jane” skull and other pieces of the Burpee collection that are not normally on display. About 90 percent of the museum’s collection is not on display because it’s too delicate, too difficult to display, or is being researched. But some items will be brought out for teaching purposes. Jane’s

real skull is only brought out on special occasions, Weerda says.

Jane brought fame to Rockford and Burpee becaue she’s the world’s most complete and best preserved juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex. A field crew from the museum discovered Jane in 2001 in the Hell Creek Formation near Ekalaka, Mont. After years of preparation, her 21-foot-tall skeleton became part of the museum’s permanent exhibit in 2005.

PaleoFest presenters will include Dr. Thomas Holtz, Jr., an American vertebrate paleontologist and main lecturer at University of Maryland’s Geology Department. Author of several dinosaur books, he’s also a scientic advisor for the BBC television series, “Walking With Dinosaurs.” He will speak on Saturday.

For the first time, professional development classes will be offered for teachers who want to learn more about how to teach paleontology, says Weerda, who is a teacher and trainer of teachers.

“These workshops will help teachers gain access to up-to-the-moment

research, some of which has not yet been published,” she says. “There will also be ideas for what they can do in their classrooms and lesson plans to bring science alive for students. This is something they will never find in a textbook.

“PaleoFest is an opportunity to see some of the greatest minds of our time coming together in Rockford to talk about science. We should all be very proud that Burpee is an intellectual center in our community.”

Museum admission is $12/non-members, $8/youth and $4/members. A PaleoFest Family Workshop Passis $40/nonmembers and $25/members. The entire science lecture pass weekend is $135/nonmembers and $110/students or members.

A one-day lecture pass, which includes the cocktail reception, is $65/non-members and $50/members. A two-day lecture pass, which includes the cocktail hour and dinner, is $85/non-members and $70/ members. Tickets can be purchased online at burpee.org, in person at Burpee, or by calling (815) 965-3433. ❚

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You Deserve Ann’s Unsurpassed Service Ann Seigel, Gambino Realtors Here’s What Ann’s Customers Have to Say: Ann was great to work with. She kept me informed and ensured the process moved forward quickly. It was my first experience with Ann and Gambino Realtors and would highly recommend them to others.

Thank you Ann!

Donovan Weigel 815-298-4683 • ASeigel@GoGambino.com See more of my testimonials at my website: GoGambino.com/ASeigel

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Y O

2019 Home Show this Weekend, Feb. 22-24 T he 39th Annual Rockford Home Show will take place Feb. 22-24 at the Indoor Sports Center/Expo, 8800 E. Riverside Blvd. in Loves Park.

This event makes it easy to speak with vendors and gather information about all things home related. See new products and learn about services, concepts, materials and expertise on interior and exterior design.

There’s always a touch of spring to enjoy, too, thanks to landscape and water feature displays, such as the Relaxing Pondless Waterfall exhibit and low-maintenance wáter feature ideas created by Tim Siegner of Natural Water Gardens.

All new this year is the Backyard Retreat exhibit from Hernandez Brothers Professional Landscape.

Cooking and product demonstrations will be part of the fun, along with entertainment for the whole family, at no extra charge.

• Hoo Haven Wildlife Rehabilitation & Education Center will present “Raptors, Up Close and Personal.” See snakes, hawks, turkey vultures and more. Learn more about Hoo Haven at HooHaven.org.

• Ms. Twisty Pants will give balloon twisting lessons all weekend long.

• Atwood’s Birds of Prey will exhibit a great horned owl, turkey vulture, redtailed hawk, barred owl and bald eagle on Saturday, Feb. 23, from 11:30-2 p.m. The birds in this exhibit are unable to survive in the wild due to previous injuries.

• Family Fun with Kids gardening projects will be presented by the Landscape Connection, plus a bouncy house and face painting.

• The Antique Road Show is back by popular demand. This is a chance for visitors to get their items appraised by professionals from Hacks Auction and Antiques on Sunday from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Free with show admission.

• Flower Power. On Sunday afternoon, all flowers in the garden display are sold at bargain prices starting at 2 p.m.

Hours are Friday, Feb. 22, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 23 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Feb. 24 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission for adults is $6 and discount coupons are available at area McDonald’s restaurants. Children under 12 are admitted free and free parking is available.

Find the complete schedule and learn more at showtimeproduction.net/homeshow. ❚

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MORE INFO: 815-871-7469 WWW.SHOWTIMEPRODUCTION.NET

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Y C

RMTD Opens Renovated Transfer Center R

ockford Mass Transit recently welcomed the public into its newly renovated Downtown Transfer Center, marking substantial completion of the first of a two-phased renovation project. Phase II, which involves the redesign of the outside bus berthing and customer waiting area, will continue into the spring with an estimated completion date of May 2019.

Customers now have a much brighter, larger and more efficient facility to use. As a result of the larger footprint, those with wheelchairs or other mobility devices will find it easier to navigate through or stop and wait in the facility.

RMTD also has added enhanced Information System Displays in key locations in the building. Charging stations have been added and are conveniently located for passenger use. A family restroom was added for families in transit with small children. Too, RMTD staff will benefit from a newly installed touch-

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screen computer system, which will allow for a quicker and more efficient bus dispatch.

The safety and security of riders is of utmost importance to RMTD. Therefore, improved security cameras have been added throughout the building and a designated security office will enhance security’s presence in the building and on the grounds.

The entire project is funded by several state and federal grants equally. No local funds have been used. The cost of the Transfer Center renovation is $4.8 million.

With the new facility opening and outdoor work continuing at the north end of the property, passengers will now be asked to board and alight their respective buses on West State Street rather than Mulberry Street.

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Buses heading eastbound will board from the south side of West State and westbound buses will board from the north side of West State.

West State will be closed to through traffic between Court Street and Winnebago Street until the completion of Phase II. Mulberry Street, between Court and Winnebago, which was previously closed, will now be open to through traffic. ❚

Y H

Finding the Right Orthodontist for You B y To n i R o c h a

W

hether it’s a personal choice or a referral, finding the right fit in an orthodontic specialist is vital.

Dr. Yaroslav Yarmolyuk, DDS MS, and owner of Orthodontic Experts in Rockford, says the most important aim is to find an actual “specialist.”

“Illinois is one of only three states requiring advanced training to be licensed in both general dentistry and orthodontics,” he explains. “The Illinois Department of Finance and Professional Regulations mandates this.”

Yarmolyuk says that many dentists also do orthodontic work in other states.

It’s essential that patients look for a professional who has received the advanced education.

“I did a three-year specialist residency in orthodontics,” he says. “I also did extracurricular work on weekends

while in training and have the experience to provide the best possible care. Technology has gotten easier, but still most general dentists fall short of what a specialist can offer.”

Orthodontic Experts also provides patients with flexible payment plans for its services, which are covered under most major health insurance policies, in-

cluding ObamaCare.

“We can arrange payments in our clinic at 5051 E. State St., Rockford, or any one of our other clinics in the Chicago area,” Yarmolyuk says. “This is important because realignment and other treatments can range from $2,000 to $6,000, depending on the length of time needed to complete the process.”

He explains that minor treatments can take as little as six months while complex ones may take up to 2.5 years.

“The other advantage we offer is our call center, which is available seven days a week. Our emergency call service is accessible 24 hours every day,” Yarmolyuk says. “With nine orthodontic specialists and 90 support employees, we have the ability to help anyone at any time.”

For more information, call (815) 918-4427 or visit orthodonticexpertscom. ❚

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Y H

Have You Tested Your Home for Radon?

By Janine Pumilia

R

adon is the No. 1 cause of lung cancer in non-smokers, yet most of us don’t think about having our homes tested for it. Lora Gilbert, a licensed radon professional and owner of 815Radon, wants to change that.

“I just want to be sure people are safe in their homes,” says Gilbert, who lost her mother, a non-smoker, to lung cancer several years ago. “She spent a lot of time in her basement sewing room and we never even gave radon a thought back then.”

Decaying uranium deposits inside rock, soil and water produce radon gas. It seeps into the areas of our homes closest to the ground and accumulates. Because radon is invisible and odorless, testing is the only way to know if your home is putting your health at risk.

“There’s no predicting the presence of radon,” says Gilbert. “I’ve tested

homes next door to one another that have had very different radon levels. It doesn’t matter if the home is older or newer, either. In fact, newer, better-insulated homes may trap more of the gas.”

Two of five homes tested in Winnebago County have high levels of radon.

According to the Illinois Radon program, of the 118,447 homes tested across the state, more than 41 percent had radon levels above the recommended action point. Nearly 1,200 Illinois citizens die

from radon-related lung cancer each year.

Inhaling radon can lead to cancer because radioactive particles damage cells in the linings of our lungs.

“People spend more and more time indoors, kids play video games by the hour in basements, and a lot of people work from home offices,” says Gilbert.

“All workplaces should be tested, too.”

Gilbert charges $175 for a home radon test.

What can be done if you discover you do have a radon problem?

“An affordable mitigation system can be installed that ventilates the soil beneath your foundation and funnels the radon outside the foundation so it can’t accumulate indoors,” says Gilbert. She doesn’t sell or install mitigation systems but can help you to locate companies that do.

Learn more at 815radon.com or call Lora Gilbert at (815) 494-8286. ❚

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Y O

Hometown Son in ‘Wizard of Oz’ Feb. 28

By Janine Pumilia

W

hen “The Wizard of Oz” whirls into winter-weary Rockford on Feb. 28, it’ll bring colorful sets, lively music and dance, breathtaking special effects and a beloved storyline to the Coronado stage. It’ll also bring a hometown son for whom the famous line, “There’s no place like home,” will surely resonate.

“From the time I was a young, I attended shows at the Coronado,” says cast member Andrew Trotter, 27. “To be performing on the Coronado stage, in a high quality production like this one, is really a dream come true.”

Trotter is an ensemble member and understudy for the roles of Scarecrow and Tin Man in this national tour Andrew Trotter

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that’s been crisscrossing the nation since Oct. 4. Exactly 10 years ago, he played the role of Tin Man as an Auburn High School student in the Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) program.

This production celebrates the 80th anniversary of the 1939 classic film starring Judy Garland.

“We stay very true to the film,” says Trotter. “Fans who grew up watching the film won’t be disappointed. The sets are beautiful and it’s very family friendly.”

Trotter grew up in Rockford and participated in local community theaters including Byron Civic Theatre and Christian Youth Theatre.

“You don’t think of this show as having a lot of dance, but it actually does,” he says. “For example, there’s a jitterbug sequence in the Lollipop scene that’s very challenging.”

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Two people who undoubtedly will be in the audience on Feb. 28 are Andrew’s mom and sister, Darcey and Sydney Trotter, of Loves Park.

“I can’t say enough about my mom and the huge amount of support she gives to me,” says Trotter.

Tickets for “The Wizard of Oz” start at $37. They can be purchased at the Coronado PAC and BMO Harris Bank Center box office, online at ticketmaster. com, or by calling (815) 968-5222, where you can also learn about discounts for subscribers and groups of 10 or more.

Learn more at wizardofoztour.com. ❚

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

‘Elephant’s Graveyard’ Feb. 20-23 & 28, Thu.-Sat. 8 p.m. Sparks World Famous Shows has a special attraction for 1916: the largest living land animal on earth.

Rockford, IL 61101 1.800.521.0849 [usual]Suspects, Nordlofgorockford.com Center, Rockford.

Info: rockfordpubliclibrary.org.

9/10/07 2:07:37 PM

FAM: ‘I am American’ Through April 15, Tue.-Fri. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat. noon-5 p.m. Immigrants and Native Americans explore the bicultural experience and the meaning of being American. FAM, Freeport, (815) 125-9755, freeportartmuseum.org.

Beloit International Film Festival Feb. 22-March 3. See website for schedule and ticket information. Scores of shorts, documentaries and feature films are presented in venues throughout the Beloit area. Tickets/ Info: (608) 312-4256, beloitfilmfest.org.

‘Run for Your Wife’ Feb. 22-March 10, Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 2 & 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. In this British farce, a taxi driver with two wives in different areas of the city has to work overtime to keep his double life from blowing up. Pec Playhouse Theatre, 314 Main St., Pecatonica, Ill., (815) 239-1210, pecplayhouse.org.

Rockford Home Show Feb. 22-24, Fri. 3-7 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Discover the newest products for your home, as well as ideas for remodeling, decorating and interior and exterior design. Mercyhealth Indoor Sports Center, 8800 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park, Ill., (815) 871-7469, showtimeproduction.net.

Jabali African Acrobats Feb. 23, 11 a.m.-noon. Direct from Mombasa, Kenya, these acrobats combine the artistry of fast-paced movement, music, dance and elegance. Nordlof Center, rockfordpubliclibrary.org.

The Second City Feb. 23, 7:30 p.m. The comedy company’s latest undertaking, “It’s Not You, It’s Me” explores heartbreak, missed connections and the mire of human relationships. Egyptian Theatre, DeKalb, Ill., (815) 758-1215, egyptiantheatre.org.

MPAC: Chandler Starr Miller Scholarship Competition Recital Feb. 24, 2 p.m. Now in its 58th year, and open

See 'The Wizard of Oz' Feb. 28

to students from third grade through high school. Mendelssohn Hall. MPAC, Rockford, (815) 964-9713, mendelssohnpac.org.

‘The Wizard of Oz’ Feb. 28, 7:30 p.m. A Kansas twister transports Dorothy to the Land of Oz, where she and her friends – the cowardly lion, a tin man and a scarecrow – must defend against the Wicked Witch. Coronado PAC, Rockford, (815) 9680595, coronadopac.org.

MPAC: Isthmus Brass Quintet March 1, 7:30 p.m. Wisconsin’s premier brass ensemble entertains under the direction of brass icon John Stevens. MPAC, Mendelssohn Hall, Rockford, (815) 964-9703, mendelssohnpac.org.

Paleofest 2019 March 3-4. See cover story. Paleontology speakers who are tops in their fields, family workshops and activities. Burpee Museum of Natural History, 737 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 965-3433, burpee.org.

Guided Meditation Session March 5, 6:30pm-7:30pm. Mindfulnessbased meditation reduces feelings of tension, anxiety, depression, and increases spiritual well-being. Unity of Rockford Spiritual Center, 4381 Manchester Dr., Rockford.

(815) 757-8122. Unityofrockford.com.

AE: 'Silent Sky' March 7-17, Thu.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sat. 4 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. In 1905, Henrietta packs her bags for an exciting new job as a “human computer” at Harvard Observatory. The inspiring story of Henrietta Swan Leavitt, a woman who quite literally changed the way we see the universe.

AE, Rockford University, Cheek Theatre, (815) 394-5004, artistsensemble.org. ❚

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Feb. 20

25

WDL

Salamone’s North: Italian Cuisine with a Twist

By Mika Doyle

R

ockford residents don’t have to drive to Cherry Valley to get their Salamone’s fix anymore. The family-run establishment has opened a second location called Salamone’s North, tucked inside the shopping plaza on the corner of Mulford and Spring Creek Roads in Rockford.

The new location is owned and operated

by Phil Salamone (twin brother to Benny, the owner of Salamone’s Downtown Cherry Valley) and Phil’s wife, Brieanna.

Phil helped to manage the Cherry Valley location for 11 years and decided it was time branch out and run his own restaurant. He’d been looking for a good location for about a year when this spot became available. Many residents will remember it as the former Angelo’s Restaurant and, later, Joey C’s.

“I wanted to create a family experience where people could come and have great food with a great atmosphere and

just have a nice night out,” says Phil.

The menu is mostly the same as Salamone’s Downtown Cherry Valley but there are some items you won’t find on the Cherry Valley menu, including a prime rib special on Saturdays and Sicilian baked chicken.

The North location also uses a sweeter sauce in the chicken marsala and a sesame seed bread for the bruschetta.

The most popular pizza on the Salamone’s North menu has been the Mediterranean pizza, which features pesto, mushroom, spinach, onion and black olives.

“We want everyone to feel the love we put into the restaurant,” says Brieanna. “Our whole family runs it. We

In the Spotlight

Top Picks for Local Restaurants Baci’s Kitchen  Fast-Casual, dine-in, carry-out. 2990 N. Perryville Road, inside A Perryville Place. (815) 329-6922. Open 7 days/wk. at 8 a.m. BkLD. Complete menu at Baciskitchen.com.

Backyard Grill & Bar  Casual/American. 5390 Elevator Road, Roscoe, Ill., (815) 623-6677. 2nd St., Loves Park, Ill., (815) 6369430. LD M-Th 11am-midnight, F-Sat to 2am, Sun noon-10 p.m. $-SS. Bravo Pizza  Italian/American. 376 Prairie Hill Road, S. Beloit, Ill., (815) 624-7900. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11pm. $.

Capital House  Lunches, fine dining, sushi bar, gourmet coffee & pastries, martini bar. 308 W. State St., Rockford, (815) 708-8989. LD T-Th 11am-10pm, Fri.-Sat. 11 am-10pm. $-$$$.

Ciao Bella Ristorante Upscale-Casual/Italian-American.

Daily specials. 6500 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park, Ill. (815) 654-9900. LD M-F 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sat. 5-10 p.m. $$ Cucina di Rosa  Italian Bistro/Bakery 1620 Bell School Road, (815) 395-5040. BkLD. M-Sat 7am-9pm. $$ Dos Reales Mexican Restaurant  Casual/Mexican. 5855 E. State St., (815) 227-4979. LD $-$$.

398-5700. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11 pm.

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

Hearthrock Cafe  Restaurant/cafe. Baked goods, coffee, breakfast, lunch. Inside Benson Stone Co., 1100 11th St., (815) 227-2000. BkL M-F 7:30am-3pm; Sat. 8am-3pm. $-$$.

Lino’s  Italian/American. 5611 E. State St., Rkfd. (815) 397-2077. D M-Sat 4:30am-10pm; Sun. 4:30am-9 pm. $$.

Maciano’s  Casual Italian. 6746 Broadcast Pkwy., Loves Park, (815) 633-7500; & 5801 Columbia Pkwy., Rkfd., (815) 227-5577. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11pm. $-$$.

Olympic Tavern  Upscale-Casual/American. 2327 N. Main St., (815) 962-8758. Extensive beer list. LD M-Th 11 a.m.-midnight; Fri-Sat. to 2 a.m. $-$$.

Prairie Street Brewhouse  Upscale-Casual/American.

200 Prairie St., Rockford, (815) 277-9427. LD Sun-W 11am10pm, Th to midnight, F-Sat to 2am. $-$$.

Fresco at the Gardens.  Casual/American Café. 318 Spring Creek Road, (815) 316-2256. BkL Daily 7am-3pm. $$

Salamone’s North  Italian-American. 2583 N. Mulford Road, Rkfd. LD. Sun. noon-10 p.m.; Mon.-Th 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sat. noon-11 p.m. (815) 639-1200

Giordano’s  Casual/Italian. Stuffed pizza, salads, entrees, sandwiches, desserts. 33 Executive Parkway, Rockford, (815)

Taco Betty’s  Casual/Mexican-American. 212 E. State St., Rkfd., (815) 977-5650. LD Daily 11am-1am. $$. ❚

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Smart Living Weekly

always come out and interact with our guests. We meet such great people.”

Salamone’s North is open at 11 a.m. seven days a week. The kitchen is open until 10 p.m., but the bar is open late.

It’s best to make reservations on weekends if you want to make sure to get a table. If you don’t want to dine in, Salamone’s North also delivers. ❚

Feb. 20

To advertise call 815-316-2300

Higher Grounds

F

or 10 years, this coffee shop at 1709 S. West Ave., Freeport, has helped area residents to get their days off to a great start. Owner Cynthia Faulkner uses choice specialty coffee beans and prepares food fresh daily, using only top quality ingredients.

Breakfast items include scones, muffins, quiche, cinnamon rolls and pastries; at lunchtime there are soups, chicken and tuna salad wraps, panini and flatbread sandwiches.

Naturally the shop is best-known for its specialty coffee drinks: lattes, cappuccinos, espressos, mochas and house blend coffees. Other beverages include hot chocolate, teas, Italian soda, frozen smoothies and frappes.

Higher Grounds is open Mon.-Fri. 6:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat. 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. and Sun. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. ❚

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Feb. 20

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e-Subscribe to Smart Living Weekly Now! You Will Be Automatically Entered into This Week’s Giveaway!

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Enter This Week’s Giveaway, and Receive Smart Living Every Week For FREE! Become an E-Subscribers Today! Visit northwestquarterly.com!

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Enter Now At: www.northwestquarterly.com/contest Contest Giveaway may take 4-6 weeks to be processed.

28

Smart Living Weekly

Feb. 20

For contest rules go to NWQSmartLiving.com

To advertise call 815-316-2300

Y M

How to Make Credit Cards Work for You

By Peggy Werner redit card usage is the most common loan activity and is the No. 1 thing that affects a person’s credit score.

Matt Lynch, director of marketing for MembersAlliance Credit Union, 2550 S. Alpine Road, says there are more than 364 million open credit card accounts in the United States and the main reason for that is pure convenience.

“Credit cards are a convenient way to make purchases, but they’re still loans, and depending on how you handle them, you can drastically improve or impair your ability to borrow more money when you really need it,” he says.

To help people manage their money, MembersAlliance is offering a special through March with the low interest rate of 6.9 percent on cash advances and balance transfers that will be effective for the life of the loan, with no additional fees.

To get the most benefit from having

C

credit cards, keep a low number of them and use them occasionally, making sure you pay off the entire balance each month. Also, pay attention to how much you are charging. If you can’t pay it off at the end of the month, do your best to stay under 30 percent of the total credit limit. The lower your credit card balances are in relation to your card limits, the more positively they will affect your credit score.

Having too much debt in relation to your income, opening up or closing too many cards in a short time, frequent credit report requests, balances going to collections, and making late payments are all factors that hurt your credit rating and credit worthiness. A good credit score is important in getting the lowest interest rates and maximizing your bor-

rowing power when you need a loan. If you don’t trust yourself with credit cards, request a lower credit limit and pay off the balance each month.

Resist being tempted by discounts and other incentives that lure you into opening up a charge account, especially around the holidays, when you don’t need extra bills. ❚

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Feb. 20

29

30

Smart Living Weekly

Feb. 20

To advertise call 815-316-2300

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