Smart L iving Weekly Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • Rockford Region/Beloit 95¢ • Nov. 7, 2018
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Right in Our Region
Stroll on State for Holiday Fun
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Before You Buy a Car ... How to Tackle Pet Odors Make Your Own Pad Thai Dining at The Olympic
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Best of Life Information for Our Region’s Residents & Visitors Proudly Serving the Needs of 326,000 Neighbors - For Your Home, Health & Fun!
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In This Issue
Right in Our Region ........................Cover & p. 16 Stroll on State Your Home .................................................. ..... 11 Tackle Pet Odors Inspiration & Worship ......................................12 Can There Be Unity? Your Kitchen .....................................................15 Tasty Chicken Pad Thai Your Community ...............................................19 Shop Small Business Saturday; Volunteer for Stroll Your Money ............................................. .......... 20 Before You Buy That Car ... Your Outing ............................................. .......... 21 Barb Buck Santa Open House Your Fun ................................................... ......... 25
Restaurant of the Week ................................... 26 Olympic Tavern Dining Locally .......................................... ........ 26
Your Health ............................................... .........23 Our State-Designated Children’s Hospital
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
Smart Banking. Financial Education. Community Focused.
Editor Emeritus Janine Pumilia Graphics Director Blake Nunes Graphic Designer Samantha Behling
You’re focused on your future, your family, your dreams, and the goals you want to accomplish along the way... We’re focused on helping you get there and save some money along the way. In 2017 alone it’s estimated that our members saved over $1.6 million dollars by choosing to bank with us vs. area banks. Come see us and experience the MembersAlliance difference for yourself.
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 2018 by Hughes Media Corp., 222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.
815.226.2260 . membersalliance.org Member savings information taken from 2017 CUNA Economics and Statistics membership benefits report.
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Thank You, Veterans!
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s we prepare to honor our nation’s veterans on Nov. 12, we can be proud of our local success at ending homelessness among them. The New York Times recently wrote, “Rockford, Ill., was the first community in the United States to reach the functional zero level for veterans and the second to do so for chronic homelessness.” The article explained how we pooled information among agencies to better track our homeless and make the most efficient use of limited resources to find stable housing solutions. Getting all key players into one room to discuss individual human beings, not just numbers on a page, was essential. Ending veteran homelessness was a key focus of former First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of former Vice President Joe Biden. Veteran homelessness fell by 47 percent between 2010 and 2016, with a 17 percent reduction during 2015 alone. Today that success continues. The number of Illinois veterans experiencing homelessness in 2018 decreased more than 6 percent since last year, reports U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson. It’s gratifying to know that both major U.S. political parties agree on the importance of doing all we can to make sure homeless veterans have a safe, warm, stable home in which to lay their heads each night. They deserve that and so much more. For me, a proud Harlem High School grad, it’s also gratifying to see the continued effort made by students to interview veterans and produce documentaries that will outlive us all. Midway Village Museum will present “Hometown Heroes” on Nov. 10, 1 to 3:30 p.m., with Harlem students and veterans on hand to answer questions. In the autumn Northwest Quarterly Magazine, find a fascinating account of one local hero’s experience as a POW at Hanoi Hilton. All of us at NWQ and SLW sincerely thank our local veterans for their service to our country! ❚ Janine Pumilia SLW Editor
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Tackle Pet Odors Quickly and Completely By Peggy Werner
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here are a lot of reasons why pets will do their business in places they shouldn’t. Sometimes the solution is as easy as treating a pet’s physical problem, such as clearing up a urinary infection with antibiotics. Other times there are behavioral reasons that may take longer to resolve. Either way, the result is the same – soiled floors and carpets. Once Fluffy or Fido has eliminated in an area of the home, chances are good they’ll return to that spot and do it again. This may become a chronic problem, unless addressed completely and quickly, says Chris Picot, general manager of Advantage Kwik Dry, 11137 Bertram Road, Machesney Park, a full-service restoration and cleaning company. And it takes more than surface carpet cleaning to eliminate the odor, he says. Advantage Kwik Dry takes extra steps to deep clean the carpet, padding and floor.
“The better an area is cleaned, the less likely it is that a pet will return to that spot,” he says. It’s important to note that in hot and humid weather, carpets take longer to completely dry. When carpets have been cleaned, homeowners should keep the air conditioner on and the furnace fan setting on at least medium to keep air circulating in the home to allow carpets to dry within the recommended 24 hours. Advantage Kwik Dry is a familyowned business that has been in the Stateline area for more than 25 years. All technicians are certified, licensed, bonded and insured, and they guarantee their work. The company is also a member of the Carpet and Fabric Care Institute, taking advantage of educational opportunities to stay on the cutting edge of technology. The company is experienced in all
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types of cleaning processes, wet and dry, for homes and businesses, including drapery cleaning, carpets, oriental and area rugs, upholstery, tile and grout, hardwood cleaning and recoating, fabric and fiber protection, pet odor removal, major odor treatment, water removal and sewage cleanup. For more information, coupons, and to schedule an appointment, go to advantagekwikdry.com or call (815) 332-3299 in Illinois and (608) 758-2379 in Southern Wisconsin. ❚
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Is Unity Possible?
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an’t we all just get along? If we choose to view one another as God does, the answer is “yes.” There’s no hatred based on race, gender, age, health, wealth, etc., when we view one another through God’s eyes. Each of us is precious. The Book of Acts reveals how difficult it was for the early church to wrap its head around this concept of equality. In the Old Testament, God favored certain people. It wasn’t His ideal way to operate, however. God wanted to bridge the distance caused by Adam’s disobedience (Romans 5:19) and to make peace with all who choose to believe. That universal reconciliation was made possible through Christ. (2 Cor. 5:18) The New Testament teaches that favoritism on our part is a sin. We’re to love all people and treat them well. (James 2:1-3, 9) Scripture also teaches that our views should never be shaped by cultural norms that are at odds with Christ’s. Kings, presidents, preachers and other cultural icons come and go and are fallible. Only Christ’s kingdom endures forever. In it, there’s no place for hatred. (Eph.4:31). We’re to imitate Christ. (Eph. 5:1 & 2). Each of us is made in God’s image, which is spirit. Spirit has no gender or race. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28). God cares about whether we accept the Gospel and live it (Romans 10: 9 & 10), not about our superficial differences. He sees our hearts. (I Sam. 16:7). Being reconciled to God through Christ binds us together as one family, but we must guard that precious unity. Jude warns of those who “slip in” and divide us for personal gain, in verses 17-19: “These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage … These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.” Can’t we all just get along? We can if we decide to. ❚ – Janine Pumilia 12
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Power Up with Plant Protein – Chicken Pad Thai
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hen it comes to getting energy from the food you eat, it’s no secret that protein packs a powerful punch. However, research shows certain plantbased proteins, like peanuts, may carry additional benefits. According to a Harvard School of Public Health study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, substituting plant-based proteins like peanuts for animal proteins and low-quality carbohydrates can result in lowering diabetes risk by 7-21 percent. Peanuts are known as a low glycemic index food. They digest slowly and cause sugar to gradually be released into the bloodstream, so they can have positive effects on blood sugar control. Find more nutritional information and ways to include peanuts in your diet at gapeanuts.com.
Chicken Pad Thai Servings: 4
Ingredients: 1 lb. chicken breast freshly ground pepper, to taste 1 Tb olive oil 1 Tb honey 2 tsp. chili garlic sauce 3 tsp. rice wine vinegar 2 Tb. low-sodium soy sauce 1 Tb. peanut butter 1/4 cup water 1 medium zucchini, spiralized (about 1 cup) 2 medium carrots, spiralized (about 1 cup) 1 cup cooked pad thai stir-fry noodles 1 cup bean sprouts 1 cup thinly sliced cabbage 1 lime, quartered 1/4 cup unsalted peanuts, crushed 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
Source: Family Features
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Preparation:
Season chicken with pepper, to taste. In large, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil and cook chicken until fully cooked and juices are clear. Remove chicken from pan and allow to rest 5 minutes before slicing. To make sauce: In small bowl, whisk together honey, chili garlic sauce, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, peanut butter and water. Add zucchini, carrots, rice noodles and chicken to pan; pour sauce over and toss to coat. Toss in bean sprouts and cabbage. Serve with lime wedge, crushed peanuts and cilantro. ❚
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Better-than-Ever Stroll on State Nov. 24 T
he sixth annual Stroll on State will return to downtown Rockford on Saturday, Nov. 24, with lots of expanded attractions and solid backing from sponsors and volunteers who make it possible. The free event attracted more than 82,500 guests last year and is always on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. “As we approach Stroll on State’s sixth year in the Rockford region, I’m truly amazed at just how much this event has exceeded our expectations,” says Tana Vettore, director of destination development at the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, which organizes the event. “Each year, I’m reminded that our community is filled with so many selfless, big-hearted people who help our team put on this amazing event.” This year will see an expanded parade, the return of the Dasher Dash 5K, more live entertainment, a larger vendor market and a new way for Stroll attendees
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to participate, called Stroll on State Moments. Attendees can share their favorite Stroll on State moments to their social media platforms and geo-tag the location or use hashtag #strollonstate for posts to be displayed on large screens the night of the event and at strollonstate.com. Participants will be entered in a prize drawing. The presenting sponsor for Stroll on State is again Illinois Bank & Trust, which has agreed to extend its partnership through 2022, the event’s 10th year. In total, 29 local companies and organizations are providing financial support for this year’s event. Learn how you can volunteer by going to StrollonState. com. Here are some event highlights.
Parade
The Stroll on State Parade will step off on South Main Street at 3 p.m. and stroll from South Main and Chestnut streets
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north to State Street and then east across the State Street Bridge, ending at Third Street. Parade onlookers are encouraged to find a spot along the route starting at 2 p.m. The parade will feature eight largescale holiday-themed and character balloons this year, including Scooby Doo and Bugs Bunny, plus several festive floats, high school marching bands and a few surprises. Partners at WREX Channel 13 will broadcast the parade live. Learn how to participate in the parade by visiting gorockford.com/strollon-state/parade.
Dasher Dash 5K
The Dasher Dash 5K will begin at 8 a.m. on the morning of Stroll on State. The holiday-themed race starts at the UW Health Sports Factory and goes through historic parts of central Rockford. This certified 5K course has been created with all ages in mind. There will
R O R place at Veterans Memorial Hall. Starlight Theater will present “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and GiGi’s Playhouse and Gateway Performing Art Studio will perform “Charlotte’s Web.” Down the street, at Nordlof Center, The Studio Rockford will perform “Mary Poppins.” Find a complete entertainment schedule online. be awards for overall and age group winners and finisher medals. Entry fees: $35/ adults, $20/kids 12 and under. Registration closes on Tuesday, Nov. 20 at 11:59 p.m. There will be no race day registration. Register at Fleet Feet, 1653 N. Alpine Road, or at strollonstate.com.
Live Entertainment
Rockford is among 300 U.S. cities in which the magical ensemble of TUBACHRISTMAS will perform. It will be on the west bank of the Rock River near the Merry & Bright Stage. Live entertainment will also take
Food, Shopping & More
As the event grows, so does the number of vendors, selling jewelry, gift items, pet items, home décor and much more. Frosty’s Merry Market will sell food and drink from many local businesses at the Rockford City Market Pavilion. The main event grounds will be along State Street. Events also will take place in the area bordered by Jefferson, Church, Chestnut and Third streets. The City of Rockford Christmas tree will be at the corner of West State and Wyman, next to the Merry & Bright Stage. The official tree lighting ceremony will begin at
6 p.m. followed by Sky Lights Fireworks. • Along the Rock River, catch the Rockford River Lights, a synchronized light show, or say hello to Santa at the outdoor SantaLand, at the Millennium Fountain on Water Street. A second SantaLand will be open inside Stewart Square. • Riverview Ice House will be open for free ice skating, with children’s activities throughout the night. • Randy Finch and the Ice Brigades will showcase amazing ice sculptures behind the Rockford Register Star building. • Fire & Ice will wow crowds as blocks of ice dissolve into beautiful bonfires at the corner of East State and North Second Street, as well as outside of Veterans Memorial Hall. • S’mores stations will be open all night in three locations. • Horse & Wagon Rides will depart from the Elm and South Main street corner, and from the Trolley Car Depot at the Riverview Icehouse parking lot. Learn more at StrollonState.com. ❚
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Volunteer for Stroll, Small Business Saturday S troll on State takes place in conjunction with Small Business Saturday, Nov. 24, an annual holiday shopping tradition that gets communities out in support of shopping local. Several local area businesses throughout the River District will offer holiday specials and fun events. By supporting local businesses for some of your holiday shopping and dining, you help to keep more money in the local economy rather than sending it off to retail and chain headquarters in other states. That’s good for all of us. To pull off all the festivities successfully, many volunteers are needed. “Stroll on State exemplifies the community spirit of Rockford, bringing people of goodwill from every part of the city together for a joyful common experience,” says Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara. “I believe Stroll on State, while unique to Rockford, also exemplifies the
welcoming, diverse, positive and enduringly progressive spirit of Illinois, characteristics that make it a perfect signature event for the community.” Once again, Heartland Community Church and Rockford Sharefest are spearheading the volunteer efforts. Volunteer Workshops are held Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to noon and Tuesday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. at 120 N. 3rd St., on the corner of Winnebago and Chestnut streets. Children ages 12-15 may volunteer with an adult and a signed waiver; 16and 17-year-olds must provide a signed waiver. Volunteers are welcome to come to the workshops without prior registration. Workshops end on Nov. 13. Volunteers are needed for the downtown decorating days Friday and Saturday, Nov. 16-17. Those looking to lend a helping hand the
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day of the festival can get more information about available opportunities at strollonstate.com. The Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau team also will support Small Business Saturdays by selling Stroll on State merchandise at the Frosty’s Merry Markets and at the intersection of North Second and East State streets near Rockford City Hall. ❚
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Don’t Be Impulsive When Car Shopping By Peggy Werner
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ot many things stir the soul like a brand new car, but the euphoria may quickly vanish if you don’t do your homework, says Matt Lynch, director of marketing for MembersAlliance Credit Union, 2550 S. Alpine Road. It’s easy to become impulsive when buying a car, but don’t do it, he warns. “Know what you want to pay, the type of vehicle you want, what features are important to you, and don’t be pressured into something you can’t afford or don’t want. If you’ve done your research and don’t overspend, you’ll likely have more equity built up when it comes time to get another car.” When purchasing a vehicle, do some online research for ownership history and recalls. Get pre-approved by a lender, inspect the car and give it a test drive. Some people like to have a mechanic go with them to the car lot before making a pur-
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chase. You should also consider additional protection like Guaranteed Asset Protection insurance (GAP), debt protection plans, and extended warranties, which are available through dealerships or lenders for both new and used vehicles. GAP insurance is a valuable protection to have when financing 100 percent or more of the car’s value. The insurance is especially worthwhile if the vehicle is worth less than the loan amount. If the car is totaled an accident, GAP will cover the difference or gap between what the vehicle is worth and what is owed. “The insurance is fairly inexpensive and yet it offers a lot to the buyer,” says Lynch. Some GAP policies, like at MembersAlliance, even have ADR (Auto Deductible Reimbursement) built in that will reimburse you for up to $500 in deductibles per occurrence, should a car need repairs following an accident, with no limit to the number of claims.
Nov. 7
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Debt protection may be another valuable add-on to help protect your investment and credit rating by covering loan payments if one of the borrowers dies or becomes disabled. Learn more at membersalliance.org or any MembersAlliance location, 2550 S. Alpine Road, 6951 Olde Creek Road and inside the Wal-Mart Supercenters on West Riverside and Walton Street, as well as the Rockton Road Wal-Mart in Rockton. MembersAlliance has loan officers at all locations. There’s also an online application center for preapprovals. ❚
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Santa Artist Hosts Open House Nov. 16-18 I
n the studio of her beautiful Victorian house in Freeport, artist Barbara Buck creates her nationally recognized masterpieces. She sells her work worldwide, and, for more than 20 years, has earned her living by following her passion: sculpting and building Santas. On Nov. 16-18, Buck will host her annual Barbara Buck Studio Santa Fest at 1240 S. Walnut St., Freeport, from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and from noon-4 p.m. on Sunday. Visitors can view her gallery of themed Santas that include northwoods trapper Santas, fishermen Santas, Packers & Bears Santas, winemaker Santas and much more. Her Santas are all one-of-a-kind, heirloom-quality figures, made with first-rate materials and lots of love. Buck, who loves Christmas, has crafted thousands of Santas over the years. They come to life in her workshop, on an old kitchen table, in her very Victorian-like basement. She uses mostly hand tools and
elbow grease – no computers or programmable sewing machines. A seamstress and a woodworker supply some of the clothing and props, although Buck has made all of the pieces herself in the past. Buck uses vintage fabric, antiques and special-order, hand-made props to adorn her figures, which range between 28 and 36 inches tall. She sculpts the hands and heads herself from Primo polymer clay. Each head requires a four-step process, with baking between each. She uses glass eyes and gives each Santa face its lifelike character by hand-carving and painting it. Buck builds each wooden armature, inserting heavy-duty wires into dowels that will become posable arms and legs. For their portly physiques, Buck stuffs poly fill into plain cotton bodies and around the armatures. After attaching the head and hands, she then outfits them: hand-sewn clothes; real fur trim; beards made of Tibetan, Persian or curly Mohair wool; antique and hand-picked props. They are placed in special poses with other props,
Victorian Chimney Sweep Santa
to create the specialty themed Santas for which her customers clamor. “Come to the open house and see these remarkable Santas for yourself,” says Buck. ❚
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Mercyhealth is Only State-Designated Children’s Hospital
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ercyhealth recently became the only state-designated children’s hospital in the northern Illinois region. It earned this honor from the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (IDHFS) because of the wide spectrum of children’s services it provides through its State of Illinois-designated Regional Perinatal Center, Level III (highest level) Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Small Baby Unit, Level II Pediatric Trauma Center, Pediatric Critical Care Center, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and 50-plus pediatric physicians who provide care in 26 subspecialties. The charitable care provided by Mercyhealth to the community also spurred the Children’s Hospital designation. Mercyhealth’s Perinatal Center provides medical direction for an 11-county region in northern Illinois. It’s the only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in the region, caring for premature newborns who are critically ill or require surgical intervention. Its Small Baby Unit cares for the smallest of micro-preemies born at less than
27 weeks or weighing less than 2.2 pounds. In 2017, Mercyhealth Hospital-Rockton Avenue was designated a Level II Pediatric Trauma Center by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). It’s the only one in Rockford and one of only five Illinois hospitals designated as being capable of providing comprehensive trauma care to children who’ve suffered blunt force trauma, penetrating wounds or head injuries in crashes, falls or violent acts. Also, Mercyhealth is recognized as one of only 10 Pediatric Critical Care Centers by the IDPH, which means it provides the highest level of specialized critical care in its 20-bed Pediatric Unit and 7-bed Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). The 50plus pediatric specialists provide care in 26
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specialties, including 24/7 neonatology and 24/7 pediatric hospitalist services. “We take great pride in giving infants and children the best possible start in life, and are proud to be the only hospital in the northern Illinois region to have earned state designation as a Children’s Hospital,” says Javon R. Bea, President and CEO of Mercyhealth. “Caring for the region’s smallest and youngest patients, especially those who are less fortunate, is an honor.” It’s because Mercyhealth is the statedesignated Regional Perinatal Center for the northern Illinois region, and the fact that it’s the largest Medicaid and charitable provider in northern Illinois, that the state gave this designation to Mercyhealth. Last year, Mercyhealth partnered with the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago to bring super subspecialty services to Rockford, including pediatric cardiovascular surgery, plastic surgery, urology, hematology/oncology and 24/7 consultative and telemedicine coverage for pediatric neurocritical care, infectious disease and pediatric emergency medicine. ❚
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Y F Autumn just might be the best time of year. The sun is a little lower (and prettier), the air is a little crisper (and cleaner) and the leaves cascade down in colorful splendor. This fall, spend some quality time in the fun, nearby, value-packed Rockford Region. See stunning fall colors at
Real. Original. SM
Anderson Japanese Gardens, the finest in North America. Visit beautifully spacious Rock Cut State Park. Don’t miss Klehm Arboretum & Botanic
ILLINOIS, USA
Garden, with more than 500 different species of trees, shrubs and vines, all 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
Wings of Wonder: Lorikeet Exhibit
Ends Nov. 11, Tue.-Fri. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Nicholas Conservatory, (815) 987-8858, rockfordparkdistrict.org/ncg.
Rockford, IL 61101
1.800.521.0849
gorockford.com
Walt Whitman Poetry with Music
9/10/07 2:07:37 PM
Nov. 9, 6:30 p.m. Temple of Leaves, Church of Grass presents poetry with live music and sound healing. Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Rock Valley, 329 School St., Rockton. (815) 865-5364.
'A Charlie Brown Christmas' & 'Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus'
Nov. 9-11 & 16-18, Fri.-Sat. 7 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Join the Peanuts gang for a special Christmas celebration. Main Street Players, 111 W. 1st St., Belvidere, (800) 741-2963, mainstreetplayersofboonecounty.com.
Hometown Heroes: Vietnam Veterans
Nov. 10, 1-3:30 p.m. Students from the Harlem Veteran’s Project share compelling documentaries about local Vietnam Veterans. Meet heroes and students and see Vietnam-era artifacts up close. Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road. (815) 397-9112, MidwayVillage. com.
John Denver Tribute
Nov. 10, 7 p.m. Chip Messiner’s vocals are a remarkable match. Spring Creek United Church of Christ, 4500 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, (815) 877-2576, springcreekucc.org.
'Mulan, Jr.'
Nov. 10, 7 p.m. Based on the Disney film, a one-act musical celebrating culture, honor and the fighting spirit. Children’s Theater Project. Nordlof Center. rockfordpubliclibrary.org.
RSO: Old War Poems
Nov. 10, 7:30 p.m. Maj. Gen. John Borling, USAF (ret.) narrates to the music of Copland and Hyden, with the Mendelssohn Chorale. RSO, Coronado PAC, Rockford, (815) 965-0049, rockfordsymphony.com.
Black Powder Sunday
Nov. 11, 2-4 p.m. Learn about the history of black powder firearms and muzzleloading during this free 2nd Sunday Macktown Living History event. 2221 Freeport Road, Rockton, Ill. Macktownlivinghistory.com, (815) 624-4200.
Rockford Symphony Orchestra presents "Old War Poems" on Nov. 10.
Crazy for Chemistry
Nov. 12, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Children can get a feel for the chemical changes that occur when they combine safe, simple materials during this fun event on a day off from school, at Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St. Learn more at discoverycentermuseum.org or call (815) 963-6769.
Straight No Chaser
Nov. 14, 7:30 p.m. This 10-member male a cappella group performs classics, movie themes and more. Coronado PAC, Rockford, (815) 968-0595, coronadopac.org.
Rotary Social Hour
Nov. 14, 5-7 p.m., Prairie Street Brewhouse. Have you ever been curious to learn what Rotary Club is all about? Meet members of four local clubs and find out. Rotary.org.
'Five Women Wearing the Same Dress'
Nov. 15-18, Thur.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun 2 p.m. Artists’ Ensemble (AE), Cheek Theatre, 5050 E. State St., (815) 226-4100, artistsensemble.org.
Big Church Night Out
Nov. 16, 7 p.m. David Crowder, Jordan Feliz & Sarah Reeves are featured in this show, a time of worship, ministry and unity. Coronado PAC, Rockford, (815) 968-0595, coronadopac.org.
'A Nunsense Christmas Musical'
Nov. 16-Dec. 2, Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 2 p.m. Enjoy Nunsense humor, your favorite carols and “secret Santa” audience participation. Pec Playhouse, 314 Main St., Pecatonica, Ill., (815) 239-1210, pecplayhouse.org.
Handel’s 'Messiah'
Nov. 24-25, 3 p.m. The Rockford Choral Union’s annual gift to the community. Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 920 3rd Ave., Rockford, rockfordchoralunion.com. ❚
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WDL
An Old Favorite with a Fresh Outlook
By Janine Pumilia
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ans of Olympic Tavern, 2327 N. Main St., have felt at home here since 1945. What began as a neighborhood burger and beer joint blossomed into a full-service restaurant known for its expansive menu, cozy atmosphere and forward-thinking bar menu. Whether your tastes run to burgers or seared Ahi tuna, you’ll feel at home. “The public makes us who we are,” says Zak Rotello, third-generation owner, craft beer aficionado and general manager. “We just try to offer things other places don’t. If we’re doing a fish fry, we order a better grade of fish. That’s how we think.” Rotello likes the way the Olympic attracts a variety of people. “We still have our regulars from the neighborhood but we also have regulars from Cherry Valley and other places,” he says. “We have young singles, families, older people.”
While the Olympic still flips plenty of burgers, some are black bean, bison or “No Bread Fred” burgers. If you prefer St. Louis ribs, prime rib or a crisp salad loaded with salmon, steak or chicken, that’s fine, too. Regular weekly dining specials include $3 Taco Tuesday; $12 Fried Chicken Wednesday; $14 New York Strip Thursday; $12 Friday fish fry and a $19 prime rib meal on Saturdays. Buy-one, get-one appetizer nights are Tuesdays after 8 p.m. and Saturdays after 9 p.m. Other chef specials change from day to day, for appetizers and entrees. Zak’s late grandparents, Anthony and Lee Rotello, opened Olympic Tavern after Anthony returned from World War II as a U.S. Marine veteran in 1945. Their son, Tom, took over in the ’90s and added a full-service menu, three times more seating, a giant stone fireplace and outdoor dining patio. Tom still works at Olympic every day.
Zak educated himself on all things beer and stays abreast of trends that younger folks appreciate. He spent time working at a brewery in Portland, Ore., before studying the brewing process at the Siebel Institute of Technology in Chicago. His draught beer menu offers 28 options. Private parties for up to 70 people can be arranged and Zak is working to expand the Olympic’s catering operation. Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m.midnight and Fri. & Sat. 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Learn more about special events on Facebook or at theOlympictavern.com. ❚ ❚
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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In the Spotlight Bravo Pizza
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ith more than 40 years in the restaurant business, Joe Ocello knows how to create an authentic dining experience. Since opening the first Bravo Pizza & Italian Restaurant location in 2001 with wife Francesca, the couple has been refining its classic Italian fare. Most items are made from scratch, ensuring a home-made meal with fresh ingredients. The Italian beef, served au jus or with tomato meat sauce, was named Best in the Stateline by MyStateline.com in 2013. Top sellers include Italian meatball sandwiches, fettucine Alfredo and fish specials. “We make it all ourselves. Each meatball is about a quarter pound apiece, so they’re huge,” says Ocello. Bravo has locations in South Beloit and Poplar Grove. Both offer a full-service bar, catering, carry-out and delivery services. Learn more at Bravopizzarestaurant.com. ❚
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Y T
It’s ‘Not that Hard’ to Pay Less for Tech By Peggy Werner
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customer walks into EZ Satellite and Wireless, 6239 N. 2nd St. in Loves Park, and within a few minutes leaves happier than when he came in, after finding out how to pay less for internet, phone and television services. During the customer’s visit, EZ Satellite and Wireless Owner and General Manager Charles Zambrano asks him questions about the number of televisions in his home, his favorite channels, whether he enjoys streaming and recording, how many phones he has and if he needs high-speed internet. Zambrano’s goal is to help every customer save money. “Most customers are paying too much, up to $250 for phone, television and internet. I can save them $50 to $100 per month. With every customer, I can offer them the best each company has to offer,” he says. “A lot of people are not happy with
their tech services, but they’re afraid to change or don’t have time to do the research to find a better deal. It’s not that hard to get a better deal and start saving money,” he says. Zambrano’s business has doubled since he moved it to the Loves Park location from Roscoe two years ago. Although he plans to open a second store in the future, a more immediate goal is to start selling, installing and servicing security cameras and surveillance systems within the next few months. What sets his business apart from others, he says, is personal attention, good customer service and honesty. “I make sure the customers know exactly what they are getting and that they are not paying for services they don’t want or need,” he says.
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EZ Satellite &Wireless is an authorized dish network retailer licensed to offer services from any other provider using dish, cable, internet and home security, such as Rise Broadband, Comcast, Frontier, HughesNet, DirectTV, Digitenna and Protect America. Learn more by calling EZ Satellite & Wireless at (815) 957-4335 or by visiting the office. ❚
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