Smart Living Weekly - June 25, 2014

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iving n g Sm mart a r t L ivi ivin ng Weekly Save Smarter • Live Better • Rockford Region/Freeport 95¢ • June 25, 2014

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Right in Our Region

27th ByronFest Showcases Community

By Karla Nagy, associate editor

B

yron, Ill., was established on a horseshoe bend of the Rock River in 1835 by Jared Sanford, who noted the easy access to the waterway.

Today, the city is known as the “Gateway to the Rock River Valley,” and its nearly 3,800 residents celebrate their community

with ByronFest, held annually on the second weekend in July. With live bands, a carnival, beer gardens, food vendors, a children’s area, special events and a parade, ByronFest attracts some 35,000 visitors over its three days, scheduled this year for July 11-13.

Continued on p. 20

• Get All the SAVINGS You Deserve from Local Businesses

How to Reduce Your Energy Bill • Jerrod Niemann at Stephenson County Fair • Detecting Scoliosis Expert Grilling Tips • Today’s Family Dining Room Updates • Better Laundry Outcomes

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In This Issue

Right in Our Region: .....................Cover & p. 20 Byronfest!

Your Home ........................................................11 Dining Sets for Today’s Families Inspiration & Worship .....................................12 Created Equal Your Kitchen .................................................... 15 Grilling Tips from Pete Your Outings .................................................17 Stephenson County Fair Your Health ...................................................... 25 Detecting Scoliosis in Children Your Fun ........................................................... 27 Tips ................................................................... 31 Better Laundry Prep Your Money ...................................................... 33 Efficiency is Cool

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 Peggy Werner and Rachel Shore General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes General Manager/Northwest Business Magazine Dave Marino Account Executives Steve Blachford, 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.

13750 Metric Dr. Roscoe, IL 61073 | (815) 389-9999 6

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June 25

The Long Way Home

W

e recently took the long way home, from Davis Junction to northwest Rockford, after a cook-out at our son’s home. It was a lazy Sunday afternoon and I didn’t question my husband when he turned the car toward Stillman Valley, Byron and Route 2. It was simply for the joy of it, and I knew that. He didn’t have to say a word.

We drove past the statue marking the Battle of Stillman’s Run in Stillman Valley, the site of an 1832 clash between Illinois militia and Black Hawk’s Sauk warriors.

Then we crossed over the bridge leading into quaint Byron, and turned east on river-hugging Route 2. The Rock River was all sparkly and trimmed out in fresh green finery that day. A quote printed here a few weeks ago came to mind: “Spring being a tough act to follow, God created June.”

As we climbed Kennedy Hill Road, I thought of all the mornings, 20-some years ago, when I soared down that steep road each day, heading to the little Byron Tempo newspaper office where I worked.

It was just after several years spent living in other states – Massachusetts, Kansas and Colorado – and I was so hungry for our particular landscape. The fact that my first job back home was in lovely Ogle County was a real blessing. The stretch between Byron and Dixon is as lovely as any I’ve known anyplace.

The older I get, the more I realize how deeply the landscape we grow up in etches itself into our souls, even subconsciously.

The Rockies are spectacular, New England towns are charming, and who doesn’t love the beach? But give me Midwest farm fields any day, on a crisp day in June, or October or January, even. Let me hug a stretch of sparkling river or hike a verdant woods. The breathtaking discoveries in our own backyard are endless.

Byronfest is a great reason to pay a visit to that lovely corner of our world. Remember to enjoy the view along the way!

Janine Pumilia, Executive Editor Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Weekly

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Y H  G

A Dining Room Right for the Whole Family

By Chris Linden

T

oday’s dining rooms are shrinking in size, or blending seamlessly with the open-plan kitchen. Say goodbye to the kids’ table, and hello to family meals.

“A lot of people, if they’re entertaining, want everyone at one table,” says Sylvia Vehmeier, owner of The Mill Furnishings, 9416 Wagner Road, Lena, Ill. “They don’t want a second table, where someone else has to sit. They want everyone together, if they’re entertaining with family.”

In newer homes, the traditional dining room is growing smaller, so designers are putting clutter out of sight and out of mind. Many new dining room sets come with compact features, such as table leaves that fold in under the table, and sideboards that are wired for electrical outlets. Designers are also removing traditional china display cabinets, in favor of clean lines and tidy spaces.

Some extra lighting is also helping to brighten up the dining room. For her Galena-area clients, Vehmeier eliminates heavy draperies in favor of wide-open window views, accented with side panel drapes and functional blinds. Two separate chandeliers, hung above the table, add a blast of light for evening meals.

“That centered chandelier is getting passé,” explains Vehmeier. “It helps to make the light more spread out, across the room. Because they’re getting rid of the lighted china, they need other sources to brighten up the room.”

Don’t forget a splash of vibrant color. Punchy oranges, purples and teals are popular, as is this year’s Pantone color, a bold purple dubbed “Radiant Orchid.”

Patterns are also going bold, with many styles echoing the ikat diamond pattern popular in southeast Asian and South American designs.

Add pizazz by mixing and matching

Canadel mix and match dining set

styles, always maintaining symmetry in color and design.

“You might put a nice reclaimed lumber tabletop with a simple chair,” says Vehmeier. “You could use upholstered chairs in a cream fabric, or if you prefer, all chairs would be painted gray to match the table.” ❚

Get SLW Home & Garden articles every week. Visit NWQSmartLiving. com and start your e-Edition today.

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I  W

‘Created Equal’

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Although our form of government is far from perfect, it remains a great blessing to us and inspires people around the world who long to live in a free society. In honor of the upcoming Independence Day holiday, we reprint here the first portion of the Declaration of Independence penned by Thomas Jefferson and signed by 56 men on July 4, 1776.

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We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

– That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed – That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. –Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States.

To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world ... ❚ 12

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Grilling Tips from 640 Meats N

By Peggy Werner

othing speaks of summer like warm, fragrant smoke coming from a barbeque. It tantalizes the taste buds awaiting tangy flavors hot off the grill.

Doing it right is another thing.

The grilling season is traditionally Memorial Day through Labor Day, but there are some “diehards” who grill year round, says Peter Lentz, owner of 640 Meats, 6410 E. Riverside Blvd. in Loves Park. As temperatures rise, so do the sales of meats and marinades.

“Grilling is an art,” says Lentz. It starts with good maintenance and cleaning of the grill, inside and out. If using a gas grill, check for any leaks or disconnections that may have occurred during winter months.

The racks should be free of any rust or charcoal from previous grilling. Remove debris with a wire brush and a wet

soapy rag. Top it all off with a swipe of freshly cut lemon, if you wish.

“Once you start cooking, you don’t want to play with the food too much,” Lentz advises.

Start with a hot, clean grill to sear in the flavor and juices of whatever meat you’re cooking; when you can see juice coming out of the top of the meat, it’s time to flip it over. If you want that diamond pattern of grill marks on the food, be sure and turn the meat 90 degrees before flipping.

Grilling is a fast way to cook food, but for that reason it’s easy to lose track of time and overcook food.

Don’t try to speed up the process by smashing down hamburgers or cutting into steaks to see if they’re done. Foods that are grilled should “sit” for a few minutes after cooking so juices can evenly distribute throughout the meat.

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It takes about four minutes for most burgers and brats (pre-boiled) and a little longer for thicker cuts of meat, depending on how you want them done.

Just a touch with the utensil will help you decide the temperature of the meat.

Meat has a soft touch to it when cooked rare and is firmer when well done.

Fish, which gets flaky when cooked, is best wrapped in a foil while grilling. ❚

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Y O

160th Stephenson County Fair Opens July 8 H

We’re h ere , for you.

undreds of volunteers are gearing up to put on the 160th Stephenson County Fair July 8-13 at the Stephenson County Fairgrounds, 2250 S. Walnut Road, Freeport. This old-fashioned fair offers everything you’d expect, plus many surprises. From midway carnival rides to concerts, pageants, a petting zoo, commercial exhibits, horse & livestock shows, a cake walk and lots of good fair food, there’s plenty to interest all ages.

Grandstand entertainment includes truck and tractor pulls, a demolition derby and a Saturday night performance by hot young country music star Jerrod Niemann, with special guest Chris Cavanaugh.

Niemann’s 2010 album Judge Jerrod & the Hung Jury debuted No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, and yielded No. 1 hit “Lover, Lover” and the Top 5 single “What Do You Want.”

His album Free the Music is described

as “a sonic journey through a multitude of styles, including country, rock, honkytonk, Dixieland jazz and reggae.” He’ll perform July 12 at 7:45. Chris Cavanaugh is a native of Springfield, Mo., who dedicates himself to playing country music for and about people of the Midwest.

All ages will enjoy daily Wild World of Animals shows featuring mammals, birds, amphibians, arthropods and reptiles such as a 13-foot python.

A Queen and Little Miss pageant competition will open events in the entertainment tent on Tuesday at 4 p.m., followed by Youth & Family Night at 6:30 p.m. in the grandstand, with ample opportunity for youths to participate in events like Ag Olympics, a 4-H Parade of Excellence and Celebrity Showmanship, in which sheep exhibitors will be paired with local celebrities to teach them a thing or two about animal husbandry.

The free Monster Truck and FMX

Jerrod Niemann

Show is Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. in the grandstands. The Lucas Oil Midwest Summer Nationals Truck and Tractor Pulls take place Thursday and Friday at 1 and 7 p.m. Closing day at the fair will see R&M Derby’s Demolition Derby on Sunday at 2 p.m.

Major sponsors of the fair include Jumpin Joe’s Sports Bar & Grill and FHN. Find a complete schedule of events and prices at stephensoncountyfair.org. ❚

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

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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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ByronFest Continued from Cover

“The event is a venture of the Byron Chamber of Commerce, and meant to showcase Byron to visitors,” says Deanna Mershon, executive director of the Chamber. “In addition, the festival annually returns $30,000 to local charities, which use those funds for programs and projects that improve the community. Byron Bank is our presenting sponsor, and we couldn’t do anything without their support.”

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The main festival is held in Byron’s downtown area, with two beer gardens, two stages of live entertainment, Taste of ByronFest and a carnival midway, all centered around Union, Second, Walnut and Washington streets. Additional events are held at other venues around the city.

A button for entry into the festival grounds is $6 in advance and $8 at the gate, and is good for the entire weekend. “The button gives people access to the beer gardens, Taste and live music, what we call the festival grounds,” Mershon explains.

Taste of ByronFest has 20 vendors offering up tasty local and traditional festival fare, 5 p.m.-midnight Friday, 11 a.m.-midnight Saturday, and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday.

“We have local restaurants, such as Costa’s [Pizzeria & Ristorante], the [Byron] Lunchbox and Fifth Alarm [Firehouse Pub], cooking up some signature dishes, and we have local groups hosting booths,” Mershon says.

June 25

“The Kiwanis Club of Byron will sell its famous pork chop sandwiches, for example, and the Dakota [High School] Cheerleaders are selling Lemon Shake-Ups.” Vendors at Taste of ByronFest don’t accept cash; food is exchanged for tickets, which are purchased separately at locations on the festival grounds.

Live entertainment this year features 15 local and regional bands, performing on two stages over all three days. “We’ve been able to expand our entertainment offerings, not just with two stages but with headliner bands,” says Mershon. “This year, we have Mike & Joe, as well as Brian Lavender & Whiskey Bent, both from the Chicago area, and Back Country Roads, which has played at Country Thunder the past few years.”

Other events include a quilt show, held all three days at Byron Museum of History, 110 N. Union St.; an arts & crafts show Saturday and Sunday at the American Legion Hall, 116 N. Union St.; men’s and women’s USSSA state qualifier softball tourneys at Byron High School; a 5K run,

R  O R held 8 a.m. Saturday at Byron Forest Preserve, 7993 N. River Road; and a classic car show on Saturday, at United Church of Byron, 701 W. 2nd St. On Saturday, a bags tournament will be take place at 2nd and Walnut streets beginning at 10 a.m., with teams of two competing for a total of $400 in prize money.

The entry fee is $50 before June 28 and $60 after that date, and includes two ByronFest buttons and two beers.

New this year is the Ultimate Fitness Challenge, beginning at 10 a.m. on Walnut Street, in front of Snap Fitness. “This event pushes strength, speed, power and agility,” Mershon says.

Contestants compete against the clock – and for part of $850 in prize money – as they maneuver through various stations such as Ladder Push Ups, Plyo Box Jumps and Speed Shuttle Runs. The challenge includes men’s and women’s divisions, and consists of two rounds. The $55 entry fee includes a ByronFest Button, one beer and one Dry-Fit tee shirt.

The Sunday highlight is the ByronFest Parade. “It’s a huge parade,” Mershon says. “The Shriners are always in it, but the marchers and floats are all local people and groups – sports teams, car dealers, farm machinery. There’s no fee to enter, and each year, we pay three or four local charities to be in it. It’s another way we can support local groups.”

The parade starts at 2 p.m. from the staging area at Maple and 2nd streets, travels east on 2nd Street, north on Colfax, east on 3rd Street, and ends at 3rd and Market streets.

“Sunday is also Family Day,” Mershon says. “So no button is needed on Sunday.”

Festival parking is provided at Old Stone Quarry Recreation Park, 6845 N. German Church Road, on the south side of the river, with shuttle service that stops every half hour during festival hours at the quilt show, the softball tournament, festival grounds, the car show (on Saturday only), and the Stone Quarry parking lot.

“We succeed because of Byron Bank and all of our wonderful sponsors,” Mershon says. “ByronFest is a chance to showcase the Byron community and everything that’s great about living here. It’s three days packed with entertainment, food and fun.”

For more information about ByronFest, or to register to compete in the 5K run, the bags tourney and the Ultimate Fitness Challenge, visit byronfest.org. ❚

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30-Second Screening May Prevent Years of Pain A bout one in 50, or 6 million people, have scoliosis in the U.S., and 10 percent of them are children. June is National Scoliosis Awareness Month and the doctors at Rockford Spine Center want to help raise awareness about this disease.

“Early diagnosis is critical in order to keep the condition from progressing,” says Dr. Michael Roh, orthopedic spine surgeon, Rockford Spine Center, 2902 McFarland Road. “It takes approximately 30 seconds to conduct a non-invasive scoliosis screening, which allows us to take preventative steps to avoid a future of pain for that child.”

Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine that occurs most often during an adolescent growth spurt. It’s the most common deformity of the spine and new research and development for screening and non-operative interventions are providing opportunities for more effective early diagnosis and patient care.

Most cases of scoliosis are mild, but severe scoliosis can be disabling. An especially severe spinal curve can reduce the amount of space within the chest, making it difficult for the lungs to function properly. In children and teens, scoliosis typically does not cause symptoms and is not obvious until the curve of the spine becomes moderate or severe.

“Raising awareness of this condition is important so parents know what signs

to look for and what to ask their doctors,” says Roh. Only 26 states mandate school scoliosis screenings and Illinois is not one of them. As part of National Scoliosis Awareness Month, the National Scoliosis Foundation wants parents, teachers, coaches and children to be aware of the following signs of scoliosis: • Uneven shoulders • One shoulder blade that appears more prominent than the other • Uneven waist • One hip higher than the other Rockford Spine Center maintains multiple resource tools on the Patient Education portion of its website found at rockfordspine.com. The tools include tutorials, videos and links to professional organizations like the Scoliosis Research Society, for which Dr. Roh has served as a cabinet member and committee chair. ❚ (Source: Rockford Spine Center)

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Y F Y F

Monty Python’s SPAMALOT June 25-28, July 30-Aug. 3, 8 p.m.; Sat. 2 p.m. in June. Musical based on the hit film Monty Python & the Holy Grail,. Starlight Theatre, RVC, Rockford, (815) 921-2160.

Barbershoppers Harmony Fest June 26, 7 p.m. Part of Sounds of Summer Series. Free. Sinnissippi Park Band Shell, 1401 N. 2nd St., Rockford, rockfordparkdistrict.org.

Friday Night Flix June 27, 7 p.m. (dusk). Free showing of Mighty Ducks (1992). Davis Park, 320 S. Wyman St., Rockford, (815) 489-8207.

FHN Movie in the Park June 27, dusk. Free showing of Monsters University. Family activities before. Read Park, 1122 S. Burchard Ave., Freeport (877) 600-0346.

29th Annual Stephenson County Ag Breakfast June 28, 6 a.m.-10 a.m. A full breakfast, entertainment, petting zoo, craft show, games. $5/ ages 5-under free. Stephenson County Fairgrounds, 2250 S. Walnut, Freeport. (815) 8642561, stephenson-county-il.org.

Pretzel City 5K June 28, 8 a.m. Run/walk for novice or expert, over flat paved roads in the park. Registration: $30, Freeport Park District, (815) 235-6114, freeportparkdistrict.org. Event: Band shell, Krape Park, 1799 S. Park Blvd., Freeport.

2nd Annual Field of Blues Festival June 28, noon-10 p.m. Five bands throughout the day. New performer every 2 hrs. beginning at noon. $10/$15 at door. Aviators Stadium, 4503 Interstate Blvd., Loves Park, (779) 5374006, http://fieldofblues.blogspot.com/.

Heritage Days Belvidere June 29, all-day event. Food, vendors, children’s activities, parade 4 p.m. Downtown Belvidere, Ill. The Silver Creek Band, 7 p.m., fireworks following, Boone County Fairgrounds, 8791 Ill., Rte. 76, Belvidere. Info: belviderechamber.org.

Music Under the Stars June 29, 7:30 p.m. Freeport Concert Band performs. Free. Koenig Theater, Krape Park, 1799 S. Park Boulevard, Freeport, (815) 990-1739.

Patriotic Concert July 1, 7 p.m. PBy the Rockford Concert Band.

Free. Sinnissippi Park Band Shell, 1401 N. 2nd St., Rockford, rockfordparkdistrict.org.

FHN presents a free showing of Monsters University on June 27 at Read Park in Freeport.

jf gaziano & beatmerchants July 1, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday Evening in the Gardens concert series. Tickets $5/$3 teens. Food, beer & wine, beverages for sale. Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, andersongardens.org.

50th Annual Dixon Petunia Festival July 2-6, events daily. Carnival, midway, 5K run, live bands each night, art show, special 50-year exhibit, drum & bugle corps, parade, fireworks.

Page Park & Dixon Riverfront, Dixon, Ill., (815) 284-3361, petuniafestival.org.

RSO Independence Day Spectacular July 3, 8 p.m. Pops Concert of patriotic favorites, a tribute to our veterans, lively summertime tunes. Fireworks follow. $29. Attend BBQ beforehand, 6 p.m.: $15/$10 age 12-under.

Starlight Theatre, Rock Valley College, 3301 N. Mulford Rd., Rockford, (815) 921-2160.

MELD July 4th Classic July 4, Runs 7 & 7:15 a.m.; walk 8:30 a.m. 8K Run, 2 Mile Run and 1 Mile Fun Walk. Start and Finish-North Madison St., at Trolley Station, Rockford, (815) 633-6353 rockfordmeld.org.

Rockford July 4th Celebration July 4, events all day. Highlights: 7 p.m. Parade begins at 7th St./6th Ave. 7:30 p.m. Silver Creek Band in Davis Park; 9:30 p.m. SkyConcert Fireworks Show over downtown Rockford. rockfordfireandice.com/4th_of_july.

160th Stephenson County Fair July 8-13, daily. Tractor pull; quilt show; pig scramble; Lucas Oil Midwest National tractor pull; live entertainment daily. Performance by Jerrod Niemann July 12. Stephenson County Fairgrounds, 2250 Walnut, Freeport, stephensoncofair.com. ❚

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Smart Dining Weekly Our Top Picks for Terrific Local Restaurants D Dinner, L Lunch, Br Brunch, Bk Breakfast. Cost: $ under $12.50; $$ $12.50 - $25; $$$ $25+ 2nd Cousin’s Bar & Grill  Casual/American. Full bar.

6246 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park, Ill., (815) 637-2660.

LD M-F 11am-2am, Sat-Sun 8am to late. $.

9 East Coffee  Specialty coffees, pastries, breakfast & lunch items. 9 E. Stephenson St., Freeport, Ill. (815) 233-7300. $ abreo  Upscale-Casual. Tapas menu. 515 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 968-9463. D M-Th 5-10pm, F-Sat to midnight. Bar open late. $-$$.

Amici Italian Grill  Upscale-Casual/Italian. Fresh, authentic Italian cuisine. 5506 Clayton Circle, Roscoe, Ill., (815) 623-7171. LD Sun-Th 11am-9pm, F-Sat 11am10-pm. $-$$.

Bravo Pizza  Italian/American favorites, full bar. 376 Prairie Hill Road, South Beloit, Ill. (815) 624-7900. LD M-Th 11am-10pm, Fri. & Sat. 11am-11pm, Sun. 11am10pm. $.

Butterfly Club  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  Artisan sandwiches, soups, cheese plates, baked goods from The Cheese People. 431 E. Grand Ave., Beloit, Wis. (608) 207-3094. $ Cannova’s Pizzeria & Fine Italian Cuisine  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  Upscale-Casual/ItalianAmerican. Extensive wine list; daily specials. 6500 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park, Ill., (815) 654-9900. LD M-F 11am-9pm, Sat 5-9pm. $$.

Costa’s Italian Ristorante  Upscale-Casual. 133 Blackhawk Dr., Byron, Ill., (815) 234-4707. Open daily.

D Sun-Th 4-10pm, F-Sat to midnight. $-$$.

Dos Reales  Casual/Authentic Mexican. 5855 E. State St., Rockford. LD M-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 10:30pm, Sun to 10pm $-.

Giordano’s  Casual/Italian. Authentic stuffed pizza, salads, sandwiches, entrees, desserts. Pick-up/delivery available.

333 Executive Pkwy., Rockford, (815) 398-5700. LD Sun-Th 9am-11p.m, F-Sat to midnight. $.

™

JMK Nippon Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar  Upscale-Casual/Japanese. 2551 N. Perryville, Rockford, (815) 877-0505. L T-F 11:30am-2pm, Sat to 2:30pm; D M-Th 5-9:30pm, F-Sat to 10:30pm, Sun 4:30-9:30pm. $$.

Joey C’ Cucina & Cocktails  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  Casual. 110 W. 2nd St., Byron, Ill., (815) 234-2696. D T-Th 5-9pm, F-Sat to 11pm, Sun to 10pm. $.

Lucha Cantina  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  Fine dining, full bar, live music Thurs. and Sat. nights. 109 S. Galena Ave., Freeport, Ill. (815) 232-2322. Mon.-Sat. 2p.m. to close. $$ Maciano’s Pizza & Pastaria  Casual. Italian favorites, beer & wine. 6746 Broadcast Pkwy., Loves Park, Ill., (815) 963-7869. LD Sun-Th 11am-midnight, F-Sat to 11pm. $$.

Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint  Fine Dining.

Ironworks Hotel, 500 Pleasant St., Beloit, Wis. (608) 3130700 Sun.-Th 4:30-9p.m, Fri-Sat. to 10pm. $$.

Mulligans  Casual/American Pub. 2212 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 963-7869. LD M-Sat 11am-2am, Sun to midnight, F-Sat to 2am. $ Murphy’s Pub & Grill  Casual/Irish-American. 510 S. Perryville Rd., Rockford, (815) 986-0950. LD M-Sat 11am2am, Sun to midnight. $-$$.

Olympic Tavern  Casual/American. 2327 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 962-8758. LD M-Sat 11am-2am. $-$$.

Slanted Shanty Vintage Pub  Upscale-Casual/American. Vintage/Burlesque-themed pub. 6731 Broadcast Pkwy., Loves Park, Ill., (815) 708-7879. D M-Th 3:30pm-11pm, F 11am-midnight, Sat 3:30pm-midnight. $$.

This Is It Eatery  Ribs, burgers, pasta, salads. Tues.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. (815) 616-5449. 16 N. Chicago Ave., Freeport, Ill. $ Vito’s Ristorante  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. $$. ❚

Visit NorthwestQuarterly.com/Dining to See Our Expanded Dining Guide Online

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Laundry Prep Tips

J

ust when you think you’ve finally made a dent, there’s another shirt, sports uniform or pair of dirty socks needing a good washing. With a little prep work, you can make laundry easier to tackle.

• Check the labels to make sure you use the right wash and dry cycle.

• For heavily soiled clothes, the trick is to pre-soak. Soaking overnight can help to loosen dirt and grime.

• Keep clothing from fading by turning brightly colored and black garments inside out before washing. Use the coolest temperature setting as recommended on the garment label.

• Make sure dirt doesn’t get trapped – unroll sleeves, socks and pant legs, close zippers and untangle towels and sheets.

Your clothes will not only get cleaner, but will require less ironing later, too!

• Spot-clean pesky stains as soon as possible. Using a color-safe, multipurpose, oxygen-based stain remover, like OxiClean, can help to eliminate the stain before it even goes into the machine.

• A powerful stain-fighting detergent like Arm & Hammer Ultra Power 4X Concentrated Liquid Laundry Detergents takes up less space, so it’s easier to store.

• Cut down on drying time by tossing a clean, dry bath towel into the dryer with jeans, rugs or blankets. It helps absorb extra moisture so your clothes dry faster.

Don’t overload the washer or dryer.

That makes it harder for either machine to do a good job.

For more laundry tips visit armandhammer.com. ❚ (Source: Family Features)

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Raise Efficiency to Lower Cooling Expenses

By Peggy Werner f you want cleaner air, a lower electric bill, and an efficient furnace or air conditioner – change the filter.

Most home filters have to be changed once every three months, but several factors go into knowing the best kind of filter for your home and how often it needs to be changed, says Mark Buckner, owner and president of Rockford Heating and Air Conditioning, 1618 Magnolia St., Rockford.

The number of people and pets living in a home, the activity level in the house, and the type of filter used will determine how often it needs to be changed, he says.

Maintaining good airflow is critical for energy efficiency and for getting the longest life from the blower motor and heat exchanger, both expensive to repair.

A dirty filter restricts the air coming through the furnace, which causes overheating and forces the safety switch to

I

shut off. Every time the furnace starts up again, a whole sequence of events happens, until it overheats again and shuts down. As the furnace continues to go through this cycle more often than necessary, a toll is taken on all the parts.

Filters come in a variety of sizes, prices and efficiencies. Have your technician help you decide which filter is best for your home, suggests Buckner.

A fiberglass filter is least expensive, but catches very little dust. A one-inch thick pleated filter catches more dust, but gets plugged up faster and can restrict air flow. It should be changed monthly, in most cases. A more expensive thick pleated filter can last up to six times longer.

Furnace filters are rated by the minimum efficiency reporting value or MERV scale, which ranges from 1 to 16 in efficiency. Most filters for homes are in the 4 to 12 range.

A MERV 4 filter captures 80 percent

of the particles 50 microns and larger.

A more expensive pleated filter with a MERV rating of 7 or 8 captures 80 to 95 percent of particles.

If you suffer from asthma or other respiratory conditions or have low immune problems, you may want to go to an even higher MERV rating that captures 99 percent of airborne particles, including most bacteria, viruses, pollen and fumes. ❚

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