Smart Living Weekly - July 30, 2014

Save Smarter • Live Better • Rockford Region/Freeport 95¢ • Aug 6, 2014

™

Right in Our Region

Foodie Fun at Burpee ‘The Local’ Event

By Karla Nagy, associate editor

W

hat better place for a summer celebration of all things local, than on the Burpee Museum’s Riverview Terrace along the Rock River?

On Aug. 16, from 7-11 p.m., local and area restaurants, breweries and wineries will take part in “The Local,” a “foodie” competition, with the winner being determined by attendees’ votes.

“The Rockford area is home to many amazing restaurants, breweries and wineries, and we’re going to showcase some of them,” says MacKenna Atteberry, marketing coordinator for Burpee. “At The Local, an area brewery or winery and a local restaurant will partner to create a special food and beverage pairing, using their own menus and brews or vintages.”

Continued on p. 20

• Get All the SAVINGS You Deserve from Local Businesses

Sound Ideas for Bringing Music Outside • Refreshing Summer Cocktails • Lawn Care Tips FHN’s Germ-Busting Robot • Prairie Grass Pub Makeover • Owning Your Vacation Time

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9 @ tin w ea ge pa No H e gs g & Se vin bin Sa m et Plu

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We’ re here , fo r yo u.

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

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

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

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

as high or higher as

It is our goal to offer our communities the best possible healthcare services we can provide, and recognition such as this confirms our commitment to your confidence in our processes and capabilities.

Whether you need surgery, cancer treatment or other specialty care close to home, a hand in welcoming a new baby into your life, help in handling a chronic health condition, or emergency care,

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

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

* Within a 50-mile radius of Freeport

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In This Issue Right in Our Region: .....................Cover & p. 20 Food Fun at New Burpee Festival Your Home ........................................................11 Liven Up Your Outdoor Space with Sound Inspiration & Worship .....................................12 A Power Problem Your Kitchen .................................................... 15 Cool Summer Cocktails Your Outings ....................................................17 Prairie Grass Pub Makeover Your Health ...................................................... 25 FHN’s Germ-Busting Robot Your Fun .......................................................... 27 Dining Locally ................................................. 29 Tips ................................................................... 31 Lawn Care Do’s & Don’ts Your Money ...................................................... 33 Take Ownership of Your Vacation

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 Writer Peggy Werner 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.

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Thank You, Burpees

W

hen Rockford natives Harry and Della Burpee toured Europe in 1922, shortly after World War I, the treasures they viewed at Denmark’s Copenhagen Museum must have been glorious. And yet the most precious memory they carried home was the sight of a father explaining to his young son the cultural and historical significance of various objects in the museum.

Years later, in 1937, on the eve of World War II, Harry shared that memory with the crowd which gathered to celebrate the opening of the Burpee Memorial Museum, 737 N. Main St., earlier known as the MannyNelson Mansion.

The Burpees never lived in the Italianate-style limestone home. They purchased it for their community and set up $750,000 in trust funds for the “development, promotion, diffusion and instruction of matters of history, science, art and craftsmanship among the community at large.” The immediate result was to provide a home for the Rockford Art Association (a predecessor of Rockford Art Museum), founded in 1913 as a successor to the Rockford Sketch Club that formed in 1888.

Upon Harry’s death in 1947, a Rockford Morning Star columnist revisited the moment in 1922 Europe that shaped the couple’s vision: “They had seen how man can, in the angers and convulsions of war, destroy; and perhaps that evidence had sharpened their pleasure in the evidence they found that man works hard, too, to conserve and hand on the things that are beautiful and inspiring.”

The childless couple wanted to provide something wondrous to Rockford-area children and generations to follow. Little did they know that others would follow in that spirit of generosity, or that Rockford someday would be home to a natural history museum bearing their name and housing two precious dinosaurs named Jane and Homer.

Generosity has a way of outliving us.

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

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Y H  G

Great Options for Bringing Music Outside

O

utdoor decks and patios provide great places for friends and family to gather and grill. In recent years, those spaces have been enhanced through improved and more affordable technology, especially in the area of sound.

“The biggest and most recent innovation in outdoor sound is being able to wirelessly control sound systems from a tablet or smart phone,” says Keegan West, systems designer for Primetime Audio/Video, 6917 E. State St., Rockford.

“The smart phone technology has changed the way we do everything. The biggest change now is how we control it.”

Options for creating a customized system, geared to each individual’s tastes and space, have grown with the technology.

“People want to spend more time outside, and they want to listen to music outside,” West says. “Wireless technology is making that happen with much greater ease. People know they want an outdoor sound system but don’t know where to

start. To help them, we first want to know about the goal and the space we have to work with. I can spend about five minutes with a person and get a pretty good idea of what system will work.”

Primetime General Manager Dirk Dutton says that with bigger projects, they’ll work with the landscape architect or homeowner to enhance the visual design. “People redo the outdoor area to look nice, so we don’t want to distract from that with wires and speakers,” he says.

Large and small spaces alike can be transformed, with the key goal being to provide good sound while keeping the sound just in that space, Dutton explains.

Outdoor systems require low voltage, and speaker wires can be buried or placed so that they don’t show. Speakers that look like rocks and planters for live plants blend with the landscape, and there’s no loss of sound quality.

“The planters are terra cotta, and once they’re filled with dirt, they can handle a

(Klipsch Group photo)

By Peggy Werner

good amount of bass,” West says. “One system looks like landscape lights.”

It seems the possibilities for sound are as big as the great outdoors. ❚

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

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I  W

A Power Problem “A

bsolute power corrupts absolutely.”

It’s been true throughout human history. People with unchecked power believe they’re an exception to the rules that govern others. They rationalize bad behavior, often going so far as to claim it’s God’s will.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Throughout the Old Testament, God issues stern warnings to those who rule His people:

“Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, who deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless. What will you do on the day of reckoning, when disaster comes from afar?

To whom will you run for help?” – Isaiah

10:1-4a Jesus was well aware of this human weakness. Yet he needed leaders who could reach the world with his message of salvation. He knew they would make power grabs and elevate themselves above the message, at times. Even before his death, they were arguing about which of them was greatest.

He responded by modeling servant leadership, an upside down organizational structure that’s counter-intuitive in this world. “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all,” he tells his 12 top men, in Mark 9:35. In other words, the way leaders stay pure from corruption is by giving their power away.

Jesus had the power to rule the world by force. Instead, he chose to rule it by love, inviting people to come to him freely.

He relinquished power, knowing the price would be an early, painful death. The disciples didn’t always “get” this. After Jesus is arrested in Gethsemane, Peter pulls his sword on the offending officer, but Jesus rebukes Peter.

Artscursion to Gauguin’s Tahiti August 16, 2014, 5:00p

3333 Maria Linden Dr., Rockford, IL

Set fo ot into the tro world o pical f Gaug uin’s T Enter ahiti! our ra ffle or a bid place in our silent a Listen uction. to live music, savor island cuisine casual , wear island attire extraor at this dinary ar tscu r ight h rsion… ere in Rockfo r d ! $50

“Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly?” -- Mat-

thew 26:53.

Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

But absolute love can overcome this human weakness. “Love never fails,” Paul writes in Corinthians 13:8. It is patient, kind, persistent, trusting, hopeful. And it puts others above self.

Powerful people come and go from the earth, often causing great misery. But the power of love endures, and will endure, throughout eternity. ❚ 12

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Elegant Entertaining with Summer Cocktails S

ummer is synonymous with entertaining, and for good reason. Warm summer days and long summer evenings make the perfect backdrop for gatherings with friends and family to enjoy delicious food and drinks.

As long summer weekends come and go, keep in mind some simple tips to make your summer soirees extra special and elegant. First, instead of typically busy patterned linens and party decor, use simple color schemes to convey summer holiday themes with sophistication.

Decorate your table with monochromatic fresh flowers in red, white or blue, accented with crisp white linens and bowls of fresh red strawberries and blueberries.

The berries serve double-duty as refreshing snacks and beautiful table decor that pull through the summer color palette.

You can also string white lights in backyard trees and foliage. As the sun sets, simple white lights will add an element of twinkling elegance and ambiance to outdoor gatherings.

Finally, serve craft cocktails made with La Marca Prosecco, an affordably luxurious crisp and refreshing Italian sparkling wine. Combine it with in-season fruit and a selection of spirits to add a sophisticated touch to any summer gathering.

Here are a few unique and delicious sparkling cocktail recipes that are sure to please your guests.

Picnic Perfect Ingredients 4 ounces La Marca Prosecco 1 ounce bourbon ¾ ounce homemade sweet & sour (recipe below) ⅓ cup sliced strawberries 1 whole strawberry for garnish

Directions Muddle sliced strawberries with bourbon and strain liquid into serving glass. Combine with sweet and sour and top with 4 ounces La Marca Prosecco. Garnish with whole strawberry and serve. Makes one cocktail.

Homemade Sweet & Sour Ingredients

1 cup sugar 1 cup water ½ cup fresh lemon juice ½ cup fresh lime juice

Directions

Simply combine all ingredients and stir until sugar is dissolved. Store in refrigerator.

Makes 2 cups.

From the Kitchen of: For more sparkling cocktail recipes and to find La Marca Prosecco at a retailer near you, visit LaMarcaProsecco.com. ❚

Source: BPT

Sparkling Berry Ingredients

¼ part Raspberry Liqueur Top with La Marca Prosecco

Directions

Add Raspberry Liqueur to the bottom of a champagne flute and top with chilled La Marca Prosecco. Garnish with a raspberry.

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

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Prairie Grass Pub: Not Just for Golfers S

aro Costa is just months into his role as food & beverage manager at Prairie Grass Pub, at PrairieView Golf Course, 6734 German Church Road in Byron, but his impact has already been far-reaching.

“I want to make people happy, with good service and great food, and by being personable – talking to the customers, hearing about what they like and don’t like,” he says. “I make things happen.”

Costa has exerted his influence across the board to improve food and beverage options. The menu has improved and expanded, and seasonal specialty brew house beers are served, along with wine and specialty drinks.

Born into a family of restaurant owners, he and his wife, Robin, have owned Costa’s Restaurant in Byron since 1990. He took on his new role at the PrairieView in January.

The Prairie Grass Pub still gives customers the same beautiful, open-space panoramic view of the golf course, but

from there, the changes begin. Still offered are hamburgers, hot dogs and beer, but the menu has expanded to include a Friday fish fry with homemade batter, a wide selection of sandwiches and wraps, appetizers such as a homemade Buffalo chicken dip served with tortilla chips, and both chopped and grilled chicken salads. A charcoal grill was added as well.

Among the main menu items are generous portions of Italian beef, grilled chicken breast with bacon, BBQ pulled pork, half-pounder Angus beef burgers and steak sandwiches. Daily specials have included 16-oz. standing pork chops, steaks, ribs and pasta. Prices range from $6-$17.

There’s live entertainment monthly during golf season, and open mic karaoke every third Thursday. The facility is open to the general public, in addition to being a favorite place for golfers.

The golf course is run by the Byron Forest Preserve, and Executive Director Todd (Byron Forest Preserve District photo)

By Peggy Werner

Tucker is pleased with the decision to hire a food & beverage manager. “More people are using the facility, and golfers are spending more time there,” he says. “We wanted to maximize our potential earnings, and at the same time, provide another great place for people to dine and be entertained.”

The restaurant and bar can accommodate about 50, and the deck and entertainment area another 100. A banquet facility can seat up to 200, and menus for special events can be created to fit any budget.

The Pub is open daily, 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., with the bar open until 10 p.m. ❚

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Burpee Food Fun Continued from Cover

The event has created five teams out of 10 participants. Each will have a station, where the teams will present their pairings for guests to sample. Guests will then vote on their favorite pairing, and the winning team will receive an award designed by a local artist especially for the event.

The teams, chosen by Burpee: Pig Minds Brewing Co. & Five Forks Market; Famous Fossil Winery & Mary’s Market; Rockford Brewing Co. & Vintage @501; Carlyle Brewing Co. & The Sweetery Cupcakes; and Hailey’s Winery & Garrett’s Restaurant & Bar. “When MacKenna first approached us, we were very excited about working with Burpee and partnering with a local restaurant,” says Ginger Baerenwald, who co-owns Hailey’s

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Winery in Byron, Ill., with Cheryl Spana.

“We’re thrilled to be teamed with Garrett’s. Cheryl and I both love their food, and we’re looking forward to working with their chef.”

Hailey’s takes part in Rockford City Market, offering samples and wine by the glass, in addition to bottle sales. “We’re one of two wineries Burpee invited to participate, and that means a lot to us,” Baerenwald says. “We’re very proud to have our wine showcased at this new local event.

Local bands Clutch Cargo and sonicbloom will provide live music in the outdoor amphitheater throughout the evening. In addition, all four floors of the

August 6

museum will open for guests to visit.

Attendees can also take part in a silent auction, and a wine pull, a kind of blind draw using bottles of wine.

“People taking part will pay $20 for a ticket, which allows them to choose from a selections of wines,” Atteberry explains. “The wines range in value from $20 to $200, and all of the bottles of wine will be covered. So when you turn in your $20 ticket and pick one, you’re guaranteed at least a $20 bottle of wine.

But you could also get a wine that’s worth quite a bit more.”

The museum hit the national spotlight in 2001, when a Burpeeled expedition in Montana unearthed “Jane,” the most complete and best -preserved juvenile T.rex in the world. In 2005, another

R  O R

Burpee expedition to the same area yielded “Homer,” a “teenaged” Triceratops.

Both are on display at the museum, along with exhibits that chronicle the paleontological digs.

Burpee and the adjacent Discovery Center Museum completed a $10 million expansion in 2010, which joined the two facilities and created a Smithsonian-approved exhibit hall, which allows the museums to

host environmentally-sensitive traveling exhibits they were unable to accommodate previously. In 2012, a renovation and redesign of Rockford’s Riverwalk Museum Park, behind the museums, was completed, including a boardwalk with a scenic overlook to the river, the terrace and outdoor amphitheater, play and outdoor educational areas and landscaping.

The Local came about after many meetings between the Burpee staff and board to create a special summer festival that would take advantage of those improvements.

“We used to have a ‘Jane’ party, in the parking lot, but the museum has grown so much over the past few years,” Atteberry says. “Burpee got a new executive director last year, and she has a

vision. It was time to switch things up a bit. We were looking for something different, something that would use the terrace and showcase both the museum and local vendors. Food competitions are popular, and you couldn’t ask for a better location.”

The Local is definitely shaping up to be something different and special.

“It’s going to be a fun event, and we’re getting even more excited about it,” says Baerenwald. “Guests can look forward to some clever and unique pairings.”

Proceeds from The Local benefit Burpee Museum of Natural History.

Tickets are $55 each, or a table of 10 for $500, and may be purchased at burpee. org/TheLocal. ❚

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FHN Super Machine Wipes Out Infection I

t didn’t take long for FHN’s portable disinfection robot, nicknamed the Microorganism Obliterating Machine (or MOM), to produce results. Since it began using MOM in June 2013, FHN has seen a dramatic drop in infections after surgery.

“We report our infection numbers at the end of each year to the National Healthcare Safety Network, a part of the Centers for Disease Control,” says FHN Infection Preventionist Margie Kochsmier. “In 2012, we had four cases of postsurgical infection. In 2013, we had zero.”

Manufactured by Xenex, the machine uses ultraviolet (UV) light to disinfect hospital rooms. UV disinfection is common in everything from laboratories to vacuum cleaners. The process uses high-energy ultraviolet light produced by xenon gaspowered bulbs to super-disinfect rooms.

The UV-C energy passes through the cell walls of bacteria, viruses and bacterial spores. Once inside, it’s absorbed by the microorganism’s DNA, RNA and proteins,

rendering it noninfectious and unable to replicate.

FHN environmental services (ES) technicians receive special training in UV disinfection before using MOM in patient rooms, areas of the FHN Leonard C. Ferguson Cancer Center and the hospital’s surgical suites. After completing the standard seven-step cleaning process, sweeping and mopping the floor and wiping surfaces clean, the ES technician brings the Xenex machine into the room, opens doors and drawers to expose the most surface area, and leaves the room.

The machine emits blasts of UV light that destroy bacteria and germs in the empty room. The light can’t pass through glass or other materials, so it’s harmless to people outside of the room; however, no one can be in the room while it’s being disinfected.

“When I talk to patients about MOM,

they have a sense of security in knowing that we’ve taken steps to keep them safe, reducing infections that could cause them extra time in the hospital and additional treatment or medications,” says Kochsmier. ❚

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August 22-24

Surprise Movie TBA Aug. 6, 10 a.m. Wednesday Morning Movie Series: $1 movies, P or PG rating.

Lindo Theatre, 115 S. Chicago Ave., Freeport, (815) 233-0413.

(Freeport Cruise Night photo)

Freeport, Illinois

67th Mendota Sweet Corn Festival Aug. 7-10, 6 p.m. Th; 11 a.m. F; 9 a.m.

Sat/Sun. Roasted Del Monte sweet corn; vendors; craft market; carnival; entertainment; beer garden; bags tourney; 5K/10K Run/Walk; parade Sun. Downtown Mendota, Ill., sweetcornfestival.com.

See antique and classic cars at the annual Freeport

Single Admission $5 Film Discussion To Follow Each Film

LINDO THEATRE

115 South Chicago Ave. • Freeport • 815.233.0413

For More Information: Freeport Visitors Bureau 815-233-1357 • 800-369-2955 www.classiccinemas.com

Cruise Night, Aug. 9 in downtwon Freeport.

Music on Chicago Aug. 8, 5:30-11 p.m. Music fest with bands Rock on Chicago & Big Daddy Woo Woo, 3rd Annual Ricky M, Dog and Pony Car Show Aug. 10, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Benefits Friends Forever great food, beer garden, Open Air Market in Humane Society. 60 awards, music, 50/50 raffle, Freeport’s historic downtown. Downtown Freefood, more. Cars $10/$13 at the gate. Spectaport, Chicago Avenue between Main and Stetors Free. Friends Forever Humane Society, 966 phenson. $5/under 21 must be accompanied by W. Rudy Road, Freeport. (815) 541-2628. an adult. (815) 232-9000.

Despicable Me 2 Aug. 8, 7 p.m. (dusk). Free. Friday Night Flix.

Davis Park, 320 S. Wyman St., Rockford, (815) 489-8207.

The Little Rascals (1994) Aug. 11, 7 p.m. (dusk). Free. Friday Night Flix.

Davis Park, 320 S. Wyman St., Rockford, (815) 489-8207.

Angel Aug. 9, 2 & 8 p.m. By Mike Webb/Mike Mastroianni; music by Jim Chabucos. What happens when a family and a community accept a person with disabilities into their lives. Starlight Theatre, Rock Valley College, 3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford, (815) 921-2160.

The Pines Aug. 12, 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.

Lincoln Douglas 5K & One-Mile Fun Run Aug. 9, 8 a.m. Out-and-back, wheel-measured course with flat stretches and gently rolling hills, designed for the beginning walker or experienced runner. Lincoln-Douglas Debate Square, 114 E. Douglas, Freeport, (815) 275-3139.

Paranormal Night at Camp Grant Museum Aug. 9, 7-9 p.m. Hear ghostly experiences, Paranormal Investigation Team give results, psychics talk about spirits. $20/$25 at the door. Camp Grant Museum, 1004 Samuelson Road, Rockford, (815) 871-4239, hauntedrockford.com.

Freeport Cruise Night Aug. 9, 7-10 p.m. This year’s annual event will include a separate display of 60-70 antique cars in the Freeport Public Library parking lot, as well as two lots with classic cars. Antique car parade 7 p.m.; cruising all night. Food, live music, burnout contest, more. Downtown Freeport, Ill., (815) 233-1357.

The Barefoot Hawaiian Aug. 12, 7 p.m. Sounds of Summer Concert Series. Free. Sinnissippi Park Band Shell, 1401 N. 2nd St., Rockford, rockfordparkdistrict.org.

93rd Winnebago County Fair Aug. 12-17, daily. Carnival, midway, 4-H judging/ exhibits, semi-tractor pull, pro rodeo. Winnebago County Fairgrounds, 500 W. 1st St, Pecatonica, Ill. winnebagocountyfair.com.

First UMC Ice Cream Social Aug. 13, 4:30-7:30 p.m. Ice cream, pie or cake, $3; pork chop sandwich & chips $5.50; hot dog & chips $2. First United Methodist Church, 503 N. Lily Creek Road, Freeport, (815) 232-6210.

2014 Mosaic By Moonlight Aug. 13, 5:30-9 p.m. Signature drinks & appetizers from 12 local restaurants, live music. Benefit for Mosaic in Rockford. $25/$30 at the door.

Prairie Street Brewhouse, 200 Prairie St., Rockford, (815) 387-8390, mosaicinfo.org. ❚

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Smart Dining Weekly Our Top Picks for Terrific Local Restaurants Legend: D Dinner, L Lunch, Br Brunch, Bk Breakfast, $ under $12.50, $$ $12.50-$25, $$$ $25+ 9 East Coffee  Specialty coffees, pastries, breakfast & lunch items. 9 E. Stephenson St., Freeport. (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. $-$$.

Amici Italian Grill  Upscale-Casual/Italian. Fresh, authentic Italian cuisine. 5506 Clayton Circle, Roscoe, (815) 6237171. LD Sun-Th 11am-9pm, F-Sat 11am-10-pm. $-$$.

Bravo Pizza  Italian/American favorites, full bar. 376 Prairie Hill Road, South Beloit, Ill. (815) 624-7900. LD M-Th 11am10pm, F-Sat 11am-11pm, Sun11am-10pm. $.

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. 431 E. Grand, 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/Italian-American.

Extensive wine list; daily specials. 6500 E. Riverside, Loves Park, (815) 654-9900. LD M-F 11am-9pm, Sat 5-9pm. $$.

Costa’s 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, Sun 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 10:30pm$.

Franchesco’s Ristorante  Upscale/Italian-American. Sommelier, live entertainment, weddings, Sinatra Lounge, Benny’s Bar. 7128 Spring Creek Rd, Rockford, (815) 229-0800. LD M-Th 11am-10pm, F to 11pm, Sat-Sun 4pm. $$.

Giordano’s  Casual/Italian. Pasta, deep-dish pizza, specialties. 333 Executive Pkwy., Rockford, (815) 398-5700, LD 11 a.m.-midnight $.

JMK Nippon Restaurant  Upscale-Casual/Japanese.

2551 N. Perryville, Rockford, (815) 877-0505. L T-F 11:30am2pm, 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 $.

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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 Th&Sat. 109 S. Galena Ave., Freeport, (815) 232-2322. M-Sat 2pmmidnight. $$ Maciano’s Pizza & Pastaria  Casual. Italian favorites, beer & wine. 6746 Broadcast Pkwy., Loves Park, Ill., (815) 963-7869. LD Sun-Th 11am-midnight, F-Sat to 11pm. $$.

Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint  Fine Dining. Ironworks Hotel, 500 Pleasant St., Beloit, Wis. (608) 313-0700 Sun.-Th 4:30-9pm, Fri-Sat. to 10pm. $$.

Mulligans  Casual/American. 2212 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 963-7869. LD M-Sat 11am-2am, Sun to midnight. $ Napoli Pizzeria III & Top Dollar Slots  Pizza, pasta, sandwiches, appetizers, dinners, desserts. Takeout/delivery.

6560 N. Alpine, Loves Park, (815) 877-9888. Sun-Th11am10:30pm, F-Sat to 11:30pm. $-$$.

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

Prairie Grass Pub  Burgers, wraps, pork chops, steaks, pasta, daily fish fry. Craft beer, wine, signature cocktails. Deck, banquets. PrairieView Golf Course, 6734 German Church Rd, Byron, Ill. (815) 234--8535. LD daily 10am. $-$$.

Prairie Street Brewhouse  Upscale-Casual/American.

Riverside dining, handcrafted beers, banquet rooms, marina.

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

Tavern on Clark  Casual/American. Tavern-style fare, big burgers, steaks, fries, flatbreads. Full bar; banquets. 755 Clark Ave., Rockford, (815) 708-7088. LD daily 10am. $-$$.

This Is It Eatery  Ribs, burgers, pasta, salads. 16 N. Chicago Ave., Freeport, (815) 616-5449. LD T-Th 11am-8pm, F-Sat to 10pm. $ 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 online to see our Expanded Dining Guide at NorthwestQuarterly.com/Dining.

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Lawn Care Tips G

ardening experts share some valuable landscaping tips to help owners to create and maintain a beautiful yard.

Flowers/Shrubs • Use the Right Size Pots Start a plant in a larger pot than it comes in, to allow room for it to grow – but don’t put it in too large a pot.

• Plant in the Right Place Consider sun exposure, drainage and growth patterns. Leave room to grow.

• Account for Wildlife Consider ways to deter visitors, such as deer and rabbits, who like to nibble on certain plants.

• Plant for Variety Mix shapes, sizes and textures for visual interest and to attract beneficial insects.

Lawns • Don’t Over Water Most lawns need only about 1 inch of water per week.

• Take Care when Fertilizing Using too much or applying at the wrong time is just as bad as none at all. Ask your garden experts for help.

• Don’t Cut Grass Too Short Cutting the grass shorter won’t help you to mow less often, because scalping exposes grass to insects, disease and too much sun, and inhibits its ability to hold in moisture.

Overall • Check the View from Inside Go inside and look through every major window. When you look out, you should see the glass framed with beautiful trees and foliage. ❚ Source: HGTV

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Take Ownership of Your Vacation Time T

his is the time of year when people imagine themselves in a new destination, taking a much-needed break from their daily routines. But research shows that many Americans never take that all-important next step: actually planning a vacation.

According to a 2013 Expedia study, Americans collectively failed to take an estimated 577 million available days of vacation this past year, giving billions of dollars in compensation back to their companies.

We all know the value of getting away, but coordinating changing schedules can foil plans and lead many people to forget about planning altogether.

To avoid letting your vacation time slip through you fingers, here are some tips.

• Value your vacation days. Paid time off is part of your compensation package. Just as you wouldn’t refrain from cashing one of your paychecks, don’t forget to cash in on the vacation time.

• Commit to travel. Vacation ownership, or timeshare, offers travelers a great way to getaway regularly. By prepurchasing

your vacations for years to come, you can look forward to always having somewhere to go.

• Head somewhere new. Vacation ownership doesn’t mean you’re limited to one location for every trip. Vacation exchange programs offer you choice and flexibility. RCI created the concept of vacation exchange 40 years ago and forever changed the timeshare industry.

Today, members of RCI can experience destinations all around the world, with nearly 4,500 affiliated resorts to choose from in more than 100 countries.

• Jump-start your planning. Planning ahead can help to avoid the scheduling difficulty many Americans experience.

If you need to travel between school years or major events, or you have a specific type of destination in mind, choose a vacation option with the amenities you want and availability you need, and put your vacation request in early.

• Don’t turn vacation into telecommuting. Booking your vacation early can

help you to plan for your absence at work. Decide which projects to take care of in advance, which to delegate and which can wait for your return.

To experience vacation ownership firsthand before you buy, book a timeshare stay through Endless Vacation Rentals at evrentals.com. ❚

Source: NewsUSA

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