Smart Living Weekly Dec. 4, 2013

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Save Smarter • Live Better • Rockford Region/Beloit 95¢ • December 4, 2013

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Right in Our Region

Spend the Winter with the IceHogs

By Paul Anthony Arco

L

ooking for something to do now that cold weather has arrived? Then make your way indoors to the BMO Harris Bank Center to watch the Rockford IceHogs, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks.

Pam Schultz has been an IceHogs fan for eight years and attends more than 20 games each season. She’s seen the best and worst of times. Schultz was there when the IceHogs won the Colonial Cup in 2007 and during a bench-clearing brawl last season against Grand Rapids on a night that recognized cancer survivors.

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Join us as we celebrate 75 years in this community!

In celebration of our “Diamond Jubilee” YOU’RE INVITED to come to an open house held at each of our 5 locations (during regular business hours):

Wed., Dec. 4 Walmart Rockton branch 4781 E. Rockton Rd. Thurs., Dec. 5 Walmart branch 3902 W. Riverside Blvd.

Fri., Dec. 6 Walmart branch 7219 Walton St. Mon., Dec. 9 Perryville Branch 6951 Olde Creek Rd. Tues., Dec. 10 Alpine Branch 2550 S. Alpine Rd. Spin the prize wheel • Enter to WIN a $75 VISA gift card • Refreshments See yo

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Your deposits are insured to $250,000 per account.This institution is not federally insured.

membersalliance.org

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In This Issue Right in Our Region: The IceHogs ........................... Cover & p. 20 Your Home Tips for Holiday Entertaining ......................11 Inspiration & Worship ..............................12 Your Kitchen Holiday Party Food Ideas ...........................15 Your Style How to Sparkle this Season........................17 Your Health Adjust Your Life ..........................................25 Your Fun ................................................... 27 On the Town ........................................... 29 Tips & Information Understanding Key Security........................31 Your Money Prevent Snowblower Repairs......................33 IceHogs cover photo by Todd Reiche

Smart L iving Weekly Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes

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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 General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes 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 2013 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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Pizza, Anyone?

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he inevitable moment came, this weekend, when we pondered yet another meal of turkey leftovers and muttered in unison: “Let’s order pizza.”

This was fine, since pizza and Christmas tree decorating seem to go hand in hand, at our house, and the time had come to wrestle with that Frasier fir lurking outside the door. (We were among the 7.4 million or so people who trekked out to Williams Tree Farm to find just the right one this weekend.)

Daughter Rebecca braved the trip to our attic, where boxes of decorations are precariously perched, their contents exploding in glittery bits. She noted that the boxes she had put away last year are, by contrast, neatly closed, their contents efficiently printed on the outside. “Yes,” I concede, “you are the only Martha Stewart in our household.”

But Martha probably wouldn’t approve of our Christmas decor. It’s the personal, homespun kind that drips with memories, if not good taste: Circles of paper with childrens’ grade school pictures pasted to them; souveneir ornaments from other states or countries; a feathery white dove which now looks rabid; tokens from years when Ninja turtles, Mickey Mouse and Pokemon were important to one of us; the ugly yarn ornament my son made in preschool that always finds a place on the back of the tree; a dried starfish that died in our hands at the beach 20-some years ago; a cowboy ornament marking the year my husband discovered his love of horses; a ceramic angel with chipped wings, painted by a beloved aunt who’s now gone; even some vintage glass balls that were part of my parents’ household long before I was.

The ornaments that celebrate “new” babies, homes or marriages in our family are now old friends ... and there’s always a little room left for one more. They’ll always have a place on my tree, no matter how ratty they become.

Whatever kind of Christmas tree you have, may you take time to enjoy it with loved ones. That’s part of living smart!

Janine Pumilia, Executive Editor Smart Living Weekly

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Tips for Holiday Entertaining W

hether you plan a sophisticated dinner party or an afternoon buffet, all parties have one thing in common: the need to open up space for guests.

If your entryway is snug, don’t sacrifice space to add holiday decorations.

Stick with decor that can go on the walls.

Remove clutter and unneeded furniture from living- and family rooms.

If your sofa and chairs usually sit away from the wall, it’s OK to push them back to make more space in the center of the room. Use a combination of existing seating and some added chairs to create multiple, smaller seating groups.

Getting electronic components out of the way can also help create space.

Holiday party prep is a perfect inspiration to finally get your flatscreen onto the wall. Wall-mounting a TV not only opens up floor space, it helps to ensure that everyone can see the screen. Sanus’ Premium Series wall mounts make it easy to hang a flatscreen on the wall. The

full-motion mounts assemble without tools and offer side-to-side sliding. They also come with a tool that helps you to locate wall studs and check that your TV is level. VisitSanus.com to learn more.

People will congregate wherever there’s food, so it’s important to distribute food stations throughout the rooms where you’re entertaining. Remove kitchen clutter, such as small appliances, from countertops, to make room for food displays.

If you’re entertaining during the day, be sure to open all curtains and blinds to admit natural light that will make the room feel brighter and bigger.

For evenings, adding a few strategically placed mirrors to walls can help make a room appear larger - plus they give a delightful effect when they reflect twinkling holiday lights.

While candles are a holiday favorite, if they take up valuable entertaining space on table tops, forego them for the

party. For that matter, feel free to skip the centerpiece if it takes up too much room. Or, better yet, create an edible centerpiece, such as a display of holiday chocolates or fruit, that acts as both decor and dish. ❚ (Source: BPT) Get SLW Home & Garden articles every week. Visit NWQSmartLiving.com and start your E-Edition today.

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Why Christmas Still Matters So Much

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cholars debate many details about Christmas, including whether Dec. 25 is really the date of Jesus’ birth. But both the Old and New Testament are very clear about his purpose for coming: to bring light to a dark world and everlasting life to those who believe on him. And that purpose is no less relevant today.

In Luke 4:16-21, when his ministry began, Jesus opened the scroll of the prophet Isaiah (who lived about 1,000 years before Jesus was born) and read: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.”

Then Jesus closed the book, gave it back to the minister, and sat down. “And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, ‘This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.’”

While many religions recognize Jesus as a prophet, only Christianity celebrates him as the son of God and the messiah prophesied in the Old Testament; and only Christianity offers salvation by grace to anyone who believes.

John 1:1 tells us, “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”

Shortly before his death, Jesus prayed not only for people who already believed on him, but for “all those who shall believe on me through their word” (John 17:20) – and that includes us.

Reading the story of Jesus’ birth, as detailed in the first few chapters of Luke and Matthew, is a great way to ready our hearts for the celebration of his birth. ❚ Compiled by Janine Pumilia Get SLW Inspiration & Worship articles every week. Visit NWQSmartLiving.com and start your E-Edition today.

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Ideas for Easy Entertaining F

ollow these simple tips to make your next holiday gathering as easy to plan as it is delicious.

Appetizers: Modern cheese plates are far from boring and are a simple way to add a gourmet touch to your event.

Balance tastes, textures and visual appeal to create a memorable cheese plate.

A good rule of thumb: include three cheeses with different flavor profiles, such as a soft brie, a sharp cheddar and a crumbly blue like Stella blue cheese.

Potluck: Hosts typically handle the main entree, and guests can bring dishes to complement the meal. It’s a great way to introduce everyone to new recipes.

Reinvent Classics: Traditional holiday dishes - like mashed potatoes and salads - can be updated in seconds with cheese. Few things can’t benefit from a quick sprinkle of Stella Parmesan, which you can pick up at your local grocery store. Another option is to add a dash of fresh herbs like rosemary and mint or

pantry staples like cinnamon and nutmeg.

Fondue: This is a fun way to kick up enthusiasm and interaction. Buy or rent fondue pots and set up tables or stations with different themes. Cheese fondue is perfect for veggies, fruit and breads.

Rich broth-based fondues are great for main courses like meats and seafood.

Chocolate, of course, is ideal for dessert when paired with berries, brownies and marshmallows. Here's a recipe: European Stella Cheese Fondue Serves four 1 cup dry white wine, like pinot grigio15 oz. (3 containers) Stella 3 cheese European Blends 1 Tb. cornstarch 1 Tb. kirsch or brandy (optional)1/4 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

Bring wine to a simmer in a heavy medium saucepan. Toss together cheese

and cornstarch in a medium bowl. Add 1/4 of cheese mixture to simmering wine, stirring constantly until melted.

Continue adding cheese and stirring constantly until all cheese is melted and simmers gently. Stir in kirsch, if desired, and salt and nutmeg. Transfer mixture to a fondue pot set over a fondue burner or heating element. Serve assorted dippers with long forks for dipping. Stir warm fondue often to prevent scorching. ❚ (Source: BPT) Get SLW Kitchen articles every week.

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e prepared to head out the door and look your best all evening long with these holiday season beauty tips.

Add some sparkle. Bold accessories can transform your look entirely, allowing you to wear that little black dress more than once. Pair a sleek strapless dress with oversized earrings that sparkle. Don’t add an oversized necklace; pick one or the other.

Add a little glamour. Up your beauty routine with a darker evening look. Pair a daring red lipstick with a thin stroke of dark eyeliner. Keep your eyelashes dark and the rest of your look minimal to draw all eyes in the room.

Whiten and brighten. Keep your smile ready for the annual family picture by using ARM & HAMMER Whitening Booster, clinically proven to whiten teeth in just one week. Apply over your toothpaste and brush as normal to remove common food stains. Learn more at armandhammer.com.

Keep locks classic. This year’s blockbuster movies are inspiring glamorous hairstyles. Get the look, without appearing too retro, by using styling gel to work short hair into sculpted finger waves. Sweep long hair into a loose knot and add a thin headband.

Give your nails some shine. Beautiful bracelets and rings will draw attention to your hands. Keep them looking beautiful with a fresh manicure and the right shade of polish. A perfect manicure will also set off the one holiday accessory everyone must have – a cute clutch.

Bring beauty tools along. When you pack your clutch for a night of celebrating, make sure to include the necessities. Stay shine-free with pressed powder. Also include a small toothbrush and a travel sized toothpaste, such as ARM & HAMMER Advance White with Stain Defense. Baking soda gently removes plaque and surface stains with a deep cleaning action, while the Stain Defense

(Photo courtesy of Getty Images)

How to Sparkle for the Holidays B

technology helps prevent new stains from setting.

Stay hydrated and use plenty of moisturizer to give your skin a healthy glow. And remember -- the best kind of beauty radiates from within. ❚ (Source: Family Features) Get SLW Style articles every week.

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R  O R ley Cup twice in the last four seasons.

“Hockey in general doesn’t have the casual fan like in basketball, football and baseball,” Peck says. “What the Blackhawks have done in the past six years to develop more casual fans is unbelievable.”

In-game promotions are also a big draw for diehard and casual fans alike.

This year, the IceHogs have many contests and giveaways planned, including bobble head nights, “Pink in the Rink” that raises funds for cancer organizations and the annual “Jersey Auction,” which has raised more than $600,000 in 12 years. Earlier this season, the Stanley Cup made a special appearance at the BMO Harris Bank Center before an IceHog game, and drew a standing-room only crowd.

“It was an awesome night,” says Peck. “The last time the Cup was here in 2010, we didn’t even sell the game out.

This time we could have sold 8,000 tickets. That just shows how much hockey has grabbed our community.”

On the ice, the IceHogs have a young team this season that includes 10

IceHogs

Continued from cover “I love the action,” says the Belvidere resident, who’s also an avid Blackhawks fan. “I enjoy watching the skills that the players possess to skate on two blades, control the puck and make plays happen all at once. And the fights are pretty cool, too.”

Early season attendance has been strong: the IceHogs sold out three of its first four home games. Last year, the team had seven sellouts during the entire season, on the way to a franchise record 4,560 per game average. The hope this season is to draw 5,000 fans a game to the BMO Harris Bank Center.

“This is the best start we’ve ever had,” says Mike Peck, director of communications. “If we’re going to hit 5,000 per game, now is the time. Ticket sales tend to pick up around the holidays.”

Team officials give credit for the spike in attendance to the success of the Blackhawks, who’ve won the Stan-

Christmas with Kantorei Alumni Chorus and guest musicians

Sunday, December 15 3:00pm Our Savior’s Lutheran Church 3300 Rural St., Rockford

Friday, December 20 7:30pm 1st Lutheran Church 225 S. 3rd St., Rockford

Tickets: $15 adults, $10 students. At the door: $18/$12

Holiday Pops with the RSO Kantorei with Alumni Chorus

Saturday, December 21 7:30pm Sunday, December 22 3:00pm Coronado Performing Arts Center 314 Main St., Rockford Please call the RSO Box Office at 815-965-0049.

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rookies. “We’re in the rebuilding process,” says third-year head coach Ted Dent. “We have to be patient and not get caught up in the wins and losses.

“We’ve struggled to get wins, but if you look at the big picture, we have a lot of young players who are making strides every day. Everyone is getting to know one another, and the rookies are getting used to the game and the pro lifestyle.”

Watching the Blackhawks play at a high level has been especially gratifying to Dent, who has been affiliated with the Blackhawks’ AHL team for eight years. Dent has had a hand in developing 40 different players that were called up during the past six seasons from the IceHogs to the Blackhawks, including Bryan Bickell, Brandon Bollig, Corey Crawford and Kris Versteeg.

“It’s rewarding to see these players move up, win the Stanley Cup and see them fulfill their dreams,” he says. “But we’re just a small piece of that success here in Rockford. It’s the players who have to go up there and perform every night. It’s definitely a fun time to be part of this organization.”

Get SLW Right in our Region articles every week. Visit NWQSmartLiving. com and start your E-Edition today.

boards. There are new menu options, too, including premium hot dogs, tacos and an Ole Salty’s Gourmet Potato Chip station.

There are behindthe-scenes improvements as well, including changes to the locker rooms.

“It’s a great building,” says Dent. “It’s loud and the seats are practically on top of the ice. There’s not a bad seat in the arena. Our guys love a full house.

When we first came here the jumbotron was added, and every year since, other improvements have Terry Broadhurst and Kyle Beach celebrate an IceHog goal during a recent game at the BMO Harris Bank Center. been made. Everything is done first class.”

Peck says improvements only enwork hard to put a great product on the hance the fan experience. “We’re thankice, but if it weren’t for the great fans, ful for the support we get from Rockford none of this would be possible.” For and the surrounding area,” he says. “We tickets, visit icehogs.com.❚ (Photo by Michael Steede)

Seeing former IceHogs make solid contributions for the Blackhawks has raised the bar for current players playing in Rockford. They also realize that their NHL futures may or may not be in Chicago.

“It’s a tough lineup to crack in Chicago,” Dent says. “These young guys understand they have to put in the time.

They’re usually here in Rockford for about three years before, hopefully, given a chance to play in Chicago.”

This season, fans and players have enjoyed the renovations made to the BMO Harris Bank Center. There are new seats in the lower seating bowl, and the layout of the arena has been reconfigured to add 400 seats. A new lounge with hardwood floors and big-screen TVs greet fans as they enter the arena and travel up the escalator.

The concession stations have been upgraded with new countertops, lighting, kitchen equipment and digital menu

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Upgrade Your Life for Better Health & Well-Being

D

o you ever feel like you need an upgrade on your life? Most of us do, at some time, says Dr. Sanjay Jain.

“First, I tell people, ‘Don’t be afraid of making your life clearer.’ Small adjustments can result in a better return on all of the investments we make – not only in health, but in relationships, finances, and more.” Jain offers four points to keep in mind: • Life is short, so live it to its fullest potential. This is your life, so don’t waste its most precious resource – time. One thing is true for all people: Our time on Earth is finite.

• Strive for Balance. Too much or too little of something, no matter how good, is actually not good. Balance is one of the easiest tenets to understand, but arguably the most difficult to maintain.

The best antidote to overdoing anything is awareness; try to be aware of all measures in your life.

• Tap your strengths, improve upon your weaknesses. When we do what we’re good at, and what comes easily, we feel self-confident and satisfied. It’s important to identify our strengths and find ways to engage them. It’s equally important to recognize our weaknesses and work on improving them – and we can improve upon them.

• Make good choices. There are many different types of decision-making, including systematic, hierarchal, impulsive, decisive and flexible.

Integrative decision-making can be used for problems large and small, and includes the following process: 1. Define the problem. 2. Frame the problem.

3. Develop all your options. 4. Analyze your options. 5. Make the decision. 6.

Execute your decision. 7. Debrief yourself. While experts may be the best consultants for compartmentalized areas of your life, only you know the other as-

pects that affect your well-being and can determine how a decision in one area will affect another area. ❚

Dr. Sanjay Jain is an integrative medicine specialist, international speaker and the author of Optimal Living 360, available in February 2014.

Get SLW Health articles every week.

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Gingerbread House Display Dec. 2-20, Mon.-Thur. 9 a.m-8 p.m., Fri. 9 a.m-6 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m-5 p.m. View entries in contest sponsored by Freeport Downtown Development Foundation, vote for People’s Choice, bid on favorites in Silent Auction. Freeport Public Library, 100 E. Douglas St., Freeport. (815) 232-9000, (815) 233-0013.

Comet Watch Dec. 4, 7-9pm Comet ISON should be peaking December of this year. Free. Weiskopf Observatory, Byron Forest Preserve, 7993 N. River Road, Byron, Ill., (815) 234-8535, byronforestpreserve.com.

Santa Lucia Day Dec. 6, 7 p.m. A festival of light celebrated in Swedish homes and schools on one of the darkest days of the year, teaches hospitality and the value of sharing. Children’s choir performs traditional Swedish and English songs. Free will offering. First Lutheran Church, 225 S. 3rd St., Rockford, (815) 963-5559, swedishhistorical.org.

AE: The Gifts of the Magi Dec. 6-22, see website for times. A lovely musical treat for the holidays. Artists’ Ensemble (AE), Cheek Theatre, Rockford University, 5050 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 394-5004, artistsensemble.org.

Holidazzle Dec. 6-7, 5-9 p.m. Fri.; 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat. Holiday lights, music, fine arts & crafts sale, refreshments, trolley rides, Santa visits. Downtown Beloit, Wis., (608) 365-4838, visitbeloit.com.

29th Rockton Christmas Walk Weekend Dec. 6-8, events daily. Lighting of luminaries surrounding Village Green Park, a lighted parade, wandering carolers, elves and a snowmen, Candy Cane Craft Show, and horse drawn carriage rides. Downtown Rockton, Ill. Info: Rockton Chamber of Commerce, (815) 624-7625, rocktonchristmaswalk.com.

Hanchet-Bartlet Christmas Open House Dec. 6-8, Fri. 4-8 p.m.; Sat. 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sun. 1-3 p.m. This beautiful 1857 home will be decorated in its best Christmas finery. Every room will feature Christmas trees decorated as they would have been from the late 1800s until current times. 2149 St. Lawrence Road, Beloit, (608) 365-7835, beloithistoricalsociety.com.

25th Annual Festival of Lights Viewing Dec. 6-Dec. 31, 5-10 p.m. Fri-Sun only through Dec. 15; nightly Dec. 20-31.

Rockford’s annual holiday light display in Sinnissippi Park, available for drive-through viewing. Donations accepted. Sinnissippi Park, 1401 N. 2nd St., Rockford, rockfordfireandice.com.

Outdoor Winter Sports Primer Dec. 7, 10 a.m. Learn crosscountry skiing, snowshoeing and winter hiking, including the basics and dressing for safety and comfort, before heading out to the trails. Welty Environmental Center, 8606 County Road H, Beloit, Wis., (608) 361-1377, weltycenter.org.

Public Skate Dec. 7-8, 2-4 p.m. A two-hour public skate session. $5/$4 youth/$2 skate rental. Carlson Ice Arena, 4150 N. Perryville, Loves Park, (815) 969-4069, rockfordparkdistrict.org.

RSO: The Nutcracker with the Rockford Dance Company Dec. 7-8, Sat. 7 p.m.; Sun. 3 p.m. Guest dancers from nationally renowned dance companies join the Rockford Dance Company and the RSO to present this holiday tradition, great for the whole family. CPAC, Rockford, (815) 9650049, rockfordsymphony.com.

A Beckman Mill Victorian Holiday Dec. 7 & 14, 4-7 p.m. Candlelit tours, holiday décor and costumed interpreters bring Victorian Christmas to life. Hot apple cider, gingerbread, bonfire, games, activities. $5/$3 children. Beckman Mill County Park, 11600 S. County Road H, Beloit, visitbeloit.com.

Downton Abbey Style Holiday Tea Dec. 8, 2-4 p.m. In the tradition of Downton Abbey, tea, treats, entertainment, party favor. Victorian attire encouraged. $35/reservations req. Midway Village, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford, (815) 397-8058 ext. 104, midwayvillage.com.

BJS: Holiday Spectacular Dec. 14, 7:30 p.m. Robert Tomaro, conductor; A broad program of cherished holiday classics, joined by local high school choruses.

The Eclipse Center, 100 Eclipse Center, Beloit, Wis., (608) 313-1200, beloitjanesvillesymphony.org. ❚ Smart Living Weekly

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2nd Cousins Bar & Grill, 6246 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park, (815) 637-2660: Weekly Wed-Thu DJ Quick Mixin Nick; Fri Live Country Night; Sat. DJ JES ONE; all 9 p.m.

Big Al’s, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rkfd., (815) 398-6411. 12/6, The Crave; 12/7-8, Clutch Cargo; all 9 p.m.

Butterfly Club, 5246 E. County Road X, Beloit, (608) 362-8577: Monthly Fri.-Sat. 1st-2nd Weekends Mike Williamson; 4th Fri.-Sat. Phil Ramsey; all 7 p.m.

Deep; 12/7 King of the Demons, Calico Flamingos, Burnside & Hooker; all 9:30 p.m.

Murphy’s Pub & Grill, 501 S. Perryville, Rkfd., (815) 986-0950: Weekly Wed. DJ Sandy Monster; Thurs. DJ Aaron Hodge; Fri. DJ JES-ONE; all 9 p.m.

On State Bar & Restaurant, 4002 E. State St., Rkfd., (815) 708-6306: 12/7 After 5 Jazz 7 p.m.

Onyx Bar & Grill, 1001 W. Lane Rd., Machesney Park, (815) 904-6842: 12/7 Cylinder 6; 12/14 Hot Sauce Committee; all 10:15 p.m.

Cannova’s, 1101 W. Empire, Freeport, (815) 233-0032: Live Pianist Fri.-Sat. 6-9 p.m.

Oscar’s Pub & Grill, 5980 E. State, Rkfd., (815) 399-6100: Wed., Fri.-Sat. Music w/Special Guest.

Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rkfd. (815) 968-0595, coronadopac. org: 12/7 (7 p.m.) 12/8 (3 p.m.) RSO: The Nutcracker w/Rockford Dance Co.; 12/10 Elisabeth Von Trapp 7:30 p.m.

Poison Ivy, 5765 Elevator Road, Roscoe, (815) 623-1480: Live DJ Fri.-Sat. 9 p.m.

District Bar & Grill, 205 W. State, Rkfd., (815) 977-4524: 12/4 Soil w/A.D.D. 7 p.m.; 12/13 The Hot Sauce Committee 10 p.m. fibs, 105 W. Main, Rockton, (815) 624-6018: 12/7 Dirty Fishnet Stockings 9 p.m.

Franchesco’s, 7128 Spring Creek, Rkfd., (815) 229-0800.

Hope & Anchor, 5040 N. 2nd, Loves Park, (815) 977-8585: 12/6 After 5 Jazz Trio 7 p.m.; 12/7 Desolation Row 8 p.m.; 12/13 Harlan Jefferson & Special Guest 7 p.m.

JustGoods Listening Room, 201 7th St., Rkfd., (815) 965-8903: 12/6 Jim Green; 12/13 Greg Herriges; all 7 p.m.

Jax Pub, 4160 N. Perryville Rd., Loves Park, (815) 877-0600: Wed., Fri.-Sat., Music with Special Guest.

Katie’s Cup, 502 7th St., Rkfd., (815) 9860628: Monthly 1st & 3rd Tues. Open Mic Night 6:30-8 p.m.

Kryptonite, 308 W. State, Rkfd., (815) 9650931: 12/4 Songs from Screw City with Rick Monroe, Michael Alexander & Noah Sugarmen 10 p.m., free; 12/6 Cameron Gill, LaHistoria and Mickey Rosenquist 9 p.m.; 12/7 DJ Dance Party with 97ZOK’s Steve Shannon 10 p.m.; charge for both.

Mary’s Place, 602 N. Madison, Rkfd., (815) 962-7944: 12/4 & 12/11 Karaoke; 12/6 Too

Rascal’s Bar & Grill, 5223 Torque Road, Loves Park, (815) 636-9207: 12/7 The Classix; 12/14 Prime Time; 12/19 3GM; 12/21 Mr. Big Stuff; 12/28 X51; all 9 p.m.

Restoration Café, 625 W. State, Rkfd., (815) 977-4361: 12/6 Chris Eldridge; 1/3 Tania Nicholson; all 6 p.m.

Shooters (inside Don Carter Lanes), 4007 E. State St., Rkfd., (815) 399-0314: Live Band Sat., 9 p.m.

Shooters East (inside Cherry Bowl), 7171 Cherryvale Blvd., (815) 3325229: 12/6 Missing Links; 12/7 Trippin Tarzan; all 9 p.m.

Shooters North (inside Forest Hills Lanes), 7742 Forest Hills Rd., Loves Park, (815) 6543900: Live Band Sat. Splitters, 5318 N. 2nd, Loves Park, (815) 877-6051: 12/7 Smokin Gunz;12/13 Mr. Burgundy; all 9 p.m. ❚

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T  I

‘Do Not Duplicate’ Words on Keys Don’t Mean Much

By Jim Killam

E

ver wonder about those keys that say “Do not duplicate”?

The answer is, no, they don’t offer legal protection for the owner, says Guy Spinello of I. Spinello Locksmiths, 225-B South 6th St., Rockford.

“There is no law in the state of Illinois that says you cannot duplicate a key that says ‘do not duplicate,’” he says.

“Now, a reputable locksmith like ourselves will not duplicate that key without the people bringing a letter from the owner. But you still have no guarantees, because you don’t know for sure if the guy that sent the letter is the owner.”

So those keys – which cost only a few cents more than a regular, duplicated key – might serve as a small crime deterrent.

A better solution, especially for business owners, is a Medeco-type of key, Spinello says. Medeco is one of several manufacturers of high-security locks whose keys can only be duplicated by dealers who have an agreement with them. The cuts can’t be made by a regular key-duplicating machine. And, all keys are recorded and accounted for.

“Those keys cost more money, but they give a lot more protection because of the fact they cannot be duplicated,” he says. “It doesn’t matter what it says on it.

The only guy that’s going to be able to duplicate that key is the contractor who’s been assigned that keyway (by Medeco).”

Switching to the more-secure key system doesn’t require changing the entire mechanism – just the cylinder. Medeco keys are much more common for business use, but Spinello sees residential applications, too.

“If you have to give a key to a baby sitter, or something like that, and then they decide to leave your employment, as long as you get that key back, you don’t have to worry that they’ve been out and had any other keys made,” he says. ❚ Get SLW Tips & Information articles every week. Visit NWQSmartLiving. com and start your E-Edition today.

I

A

Daily News Sites & Stations

Information Resources

n today’s fast-paced world, you can get breaking local and national news within minutes of when it occurs, from many different organizations. The following are reliable sources bringing you news and weather updates 24/7.

t Hughes Meda Corp., we’ve developed several sources of information you can utilize to enhance every aspect of your life. We’re interested in your thoughts about how we can make them even more valuable to you.

Northwest Quarterly Magazine, featuring Arts & Entertainment, Recreation & Destination and Mind & Spirit calendars as well as the Northwest Regional Dining Guide. northwestquarterly.com

• 13 WREX, WREX.com • 23 WIFR, WIFR.com • 17 WTV0, mystateline.com • WNTA 100.5 FM Radio, nta.fm • WNIJ Public Radio, 89.5 FM, northernpublicradio.org • WROK Radio, 1440 AM, 1440wrok.com • Rockford Register Star, rrstar.com • Rock River Times, rockrivertimes.com

WeBuyLocal Guide to Locally Owned Businesses, including a comprehensive medical guide to local physicians, clinics and hospitals. webuylocal.com Smart Living Weekly magazine, featuring weekly calendars for Family Fun and On the Town (nightlife) events. ❚

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Y M

Prevent Costly Repairs by Caring for Snowblower

By Jim Killam

E

arly winter is a good time to think about caring for your snow blower this season.

“The biggest mistake is not having fresh fuel in it,” says Tim Kinney of Lincoln Rent-All & Lawn Equipment Sales, Inc., 3110 Auburn St., Rockford. “These days, with the quality of gasoline used, the EPA gives it 30 days before gas goes bad.”

That’s not a huge issue with cars, where gasoline normally doesn’t sit in the tank for a month. But a small engine like that of a snow blower or a lawn mower relies on a carburetor, which processes a tiny amount of gas at a time.

“Especially in the late fall or early winter, the temperatures fluctuate so much, and that creates condensation,” Kinney says. “And when you get a little bit of water mixed with the gas in that little area, the snowblower won’t start.”

Someone who readies a snow blow-

er for the season in late October might not end up using it until late December. By then, if it’s had gas in it, it may not start.

Beyond gasoline issues, owners should conduct routine inspection and maintenance. If you have a single-stage snow blower, expect the rubber paddles and scraper bar to last two or three seasons.

That’s by design; soft, rubber parts don’t chew up the driveway and sidewalks. Check the paddles for wear and, if necessary, replace them. Worn paddles won’t grab as much snow and won’t throw it as far.

Finally, clean up the yard and driveway before they’re buried under snow.

“Quite a few times during the year we see dog leashes or newspapers or a garden hose,” stuck in the snowblower,

Kinney says. “Unfortunately, you’re in such a rush to get the snow cleaned up, it gets sucked up in there and wrapped up and around, and then you’ve got a mess on your hands.” ❚ Get SLW Money articles every week.

Visit NWQSmartLiving.com and start your E-Edition today.

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