Smart Living Weekly - July 22, 2015

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Right in Our Region

Festa Italiana Expands Entertainment

By Rachel Shore

E

veryone is invited to become a part of Rockford’s Italian family at the 37th annual Festa Italiana July 31-Aug. 2, on the Boylan Catholic High School grounds, 400 Francis Dr., Rockford. From delicious food to traditional Italian dance performances and other great entertainment, the festival celebrates

Italian culture in the Rockford region.

With a second stage added this year, the festival will present even more entertainment than usual, including bands such as Mr. Big Stuff, Bun E. Carlos & The New Paegans, Serendipity, Ultimate Party Band, Audio Rewind and more.

Continued on p. 20

• Get All the SAVINGS You Deserve from Local Businesses

5 Cooking Tricks for Bold Flavor • Pick the Right Loan • Tips for Blended Families 4 Steps to Greener Living • Community Picnic at Midway Village • Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint

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Issue 1

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Experience Downtown Rockford

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In This Issue

Right in Our Region ........................Cover & p. 20 Festa Italiana Your Home .................................................. ..... 11 4 Ways to Live Greener Inspiration & Worship ......................................12 Regrets: We’ve All Had A Few Your Kitchen .....................................................15 Easy Ways to Punch Up the Flavor Your Outing ........................................................17 Community Picnic at Midway Village Your Health ............................................. .......... 26 The Culprits of Infection Your Fun ................................................... ......... 27 Restaurant of the Week ................................... 29 Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint Tips ........................................................... ......... 31 Blending Families Your Money .............................................. ......... 33 Choose the Right Loan Type

Smart L iving Weekly ™

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes

Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Managing Editor Janine Pumilia Deputy Editor Sarah Soenke Assistant Editor Lindsey Gapen Senior Staff Writer/Promotions Coordinator Paul Anthony Arco Graphics Director Blake Nunes Graphic Designer Samantha Ryan Contributing Writers Rachel Shore, Peggy Werner General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes General Manager/Northwest Business Magazine Dave Marino Account Executives Brian Hughes, Kimberly Perkins Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes Website www.NWQSmartLiving.com Published by Hughes Media Corp.

222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104 Smart Living Weekly.

Copyright 2015 by Hughes Media Corp., 222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.

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July 22

Some Things Do Change for the Best

F

estival season is in full swing, and I’m always a little jealous of those who celebrate their ethnic ancestry during these affairs. Being a mutt of Englishy extraction, I identify with no ethnic festivals except, perhaps, the occasional English Renaissance Fair. Why is this? Could it be that, after the Revolutionary War, no one wanted to celebrate British anything? Thankfully, Masterpiece Theatre tosses we joyless Anglophiles a bone now and then. “Poldark” is my current favorite (and even he thought he was on the wrong side of the Revolution).

At any rate, I’m always very happy to horn in on celebrating my husband Gary’s ancestry, which is half Italian and half Norwegian. The fact that these two cultures didn’t exactly get along, in Rockford, but his parents married anyway, in the 1940s, always amuses me. Such mavericks!

I’m glad to say the now-historic animosity between Rockford Scandinavians and Italians is very hard for my generation to understand.

Looking back, how silly it seems that folks looked down on each other or felt threatened by one another. At Midway Village Museum, we learn that, for one thing, the sheer number of Italians immigrating to Rockford worried the Scandinavians, who had immigrated here themselves not too many decades earlier.

Today we know that all of Rockford’s immigrants contributed greatly to the city, and still do. I only hope that people will someday look back and have trouble comprehending why our generation is so deeply divided over various race issues. That day can’t come too soon.

Meanwhile, take it from me: You don’t need a drop of Italian blood to feel welcomed at Festa Italiana. The food is delicious, the entertainment terrific, the joy in the air nearly visible. Read all about it in our cover story.

Don’t let the season slip by without experiencing your share of summer fun.

Make up your mind to have a great week! ❚ Janine Pumilia Executive Editor Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Weekly

July 22

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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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July 22

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July 22

Y H  G

Four Steps Toward Greener Living L

iving a greener lifestyle is about conserving natural resources and about saving money. Whether you’re renovating your home, or building from the ground up, you can create a home that’s more efficient, cost effective and “green.”

1. Insulate against air. In terms of heating and cooling, a well insulated home conserves the most energy by creating an airtight seal, locking out any potential hot or cold air drafts. Replace old windows and doors with more energy efficient options, such as triple-pane glass.

Add extra insulation to walls, roof and basement.

2. Make energy-efficient choices.

Inefficient appliances can cause a spike in your gas, water and electric usage. For a simple change, choose LED bulbs for all your light fixtures. To conserve even more energy, opt in for high-efficiency upgrades for your larger appliances,

like refrigerators, dishwashers and clothes dryers, and install waterconserving bathroom fixtures to help cut down your home’s overall water usage.

3. Maximize natural light.

When you’re able to rely on natural light for most of the day, the cost of your electric bill decreases.

If you’re renovating, think about ways you can incorporate new window openings to increase natural light. If you’re building, think about incorporating an open floor plan with lots of windows to maximize the flow of natural light from room to room.

4. Design it to last. Trends come in and out of style quickly. For the larger architectural features of your home, choose design elements that will stand the test of time - reducing the likelihood of another renovation. Leave the trendy design

choices to smaller decor pieces that can easily (and inexpensively) be switched out when it’s time for a change.

For more design inspiration, visit Pella.com. ❚ (Source: Brandpoint)

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I  W

Regrets: We’ve All Had a Few A

ll of us have regrets, and we should.

To say we have no regrets is to say we’ve always behaved perfectly, and we know better than that.

Regret and shame, however, are very different things. When we live in a state of constant shame, we nullify what Christ accomplished for us on the cross. Shame paralyzes us and prevents us from doing the good work God has set before us.

The Apostle Paul was deeply aware of his own sinful nature, but he determined it wouldn’t stop him from doing Christ’s work. He says in Romans 7:21-25: So I find this to be a principle: when I want to do what is good, evil is right there with me. For I delight in the Law of God in my inner being, but I see in my body a different principle waging war with the Law in my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin that exists in my body. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is infected by death?

Thank God through Jesus the Messiah, our Lord, because with my mind I myself can serve the Law of God, even while with my human nature I serve the law of sin. (ISV) Paul goes on to speak of the power of the spirit within us and the love of Christ, which motivates us to keep moving forward despite our weaknesses. As we serve one another and strengthen our spiritual “new man,” we weaken the grip sin has on us. But if we focus on sin – our own or other people’s – rather than focusing on service to others, we risk “biting and devouring” one another and becoming ineffective ministers of grace.

Paul tells the Galatians in chapter 5:13-16: For the whole Law is summarized in a single statement: “You must love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, be careful that you are not destroyed by each other. So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will never fulfill the desires of the flesh.

Love really does cover a multitude of sins. ❚ – Janine Pumilia 12

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July 22

MEET ME AT THE MARKET! Fridays | May 22 – Oct 2 | Downtown Rockford 3:30 – 8:30 p.m. (3:30 – 7:30 p.m. after Labor Day)

rockfordcitymarket.com

Don’t miss the North End City Market!

Saturdays | May 16 – Oct 31 | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Auburn & Main St.

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July 22

Y K

5 Ways to Add Bold Flavor to Healthful Foods W arm weather and fresh fare go hand in hand. While healthy foods dominate the summer months, too often people fall into meal ruts where all they eat are simple salads and grilled chicken.

Nutritious foods don’t have to be boring foods; it’s easy to add pizzazz.

1. Citrus Marinades Fish and poultry are quality low-fat sources of protein but can come up short in flavor. Enhance lackluster chicken breasts or bland salmon with citrus.

Think exotic citrus varieties like blood orange, kumquat, Satsuma and tangerine.

Marinate and brush on the juices before cooking, or grill with a few citrus slices directly on top.

2. Fantastic Feta Think you need to give up cheese to be healthy? Think again. Feta is a lower-calorie option that packs incredible flavor into any dish. Nikos Feta, made by Certified Master Cheesemakers, has a classic taste and texture that makes it the perfect addition to boring salads. But don’t stop there – drape a slice of feta across bitesize snacks or add crumbles to favorite side dishes. Visitnikosfeta.com/Recipes for more ideas.

5. Trendy Spices Nothing adds kick to a bland dish like a touch of spice. If you prefer a little heat and a whole lot of flavor, it’s time to add harissa to your regular cooking routine. This Tunisian hot chili pepper paste has a bold flavor profile that’s delicious with chicken, eggs and as a sandwich spread.

Greek Zucchini Bruschetta Makes 6-8 servings.

Ingredients: 1/2 cup Nikos Tomato Basil Feta cheese 1/4 cup fresh basil, cut into strips 2 tomatoes, diced 2 zucchini, sliced 2 Tb. olive oil 1/2 tsp. pepper 1/4 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. turmeric

Instructions: Slice zucchini into 1/3- or 1/2-inch thick pieces. Lay flat on baking sheet sprayed with nonstick cooking spray or lined with foil. Drizzle zucchini with 1 tablespoon olive oil and bake in oven at 350 degrees F until almost soft.

Dice tomatoes and mix with 1 tablespoon olive oil, seasonings, feta cheese and basil. Top zucchini with tomato and feta mixture. ❚ Recipe courtesy of TheLawfulKitchen.com

Fine Oils, Vinegars, & Now Spices!

3. Grilled Fruit Fresh fruit is abundant during the warmer months and provides plenty of healthy vitamins and nutrients. Instead of always eating it fresh, try lightly grilling your favorites. This triggers the sugars to start caramelizing, which brings out rich, sweet flavors. Bananas, pineapple, peaches and even cantaloupe are great options. Cut them in half or chop and skewer before grilling.

4. Infused Waters Nutritionists agree that good old H2O is the best thing to drink to stay hydrated.

Add a splash of healthy flavor to water by infusing it yourself. Lemon and lime add zest, but you can also experiment with cucumber, apple, grapefruit, berries and mint. Keep a pitcher going and you’ll always have a healthy drink on hand.

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July 22

Y O

Community Picnic Sunday at Midway Village M

idway Village Museum invites all ages to attend a picnic this Sunday, July 26, noon to 5 p.m., at its 137-acre campus, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford.

Admission is free and families may bring their own picnic food or purchase beverages and grilled food from vendors.

The theme this year is Treasured Family Fun. Activities include: • Live music at 1 and 3 p.m.

• Ethnic dance performances throughout the afternoon

• Treasure hunt – solve clues throughout the village for a prize • Community art project – create a family crest • Outdoor lawn games from the 1800s • Crafts & games for families • Museum exhibits, including Many Faces, One Community • A treasure map chalk board craft (additional fee) • Face painting (additional fee) A Victorian-era “Village” contains 26 historical buildings filled with artifacts that help visitors to understand what life was like in Rockford in the era of 1890 to 1910. There’s a general store, barber shop, police station, schoolhouse, Victorian gardens that grow heirloom flowers and produce, and much more.

Costumed volunteers provide guided tours May through August.

There’s also a Main Museum Center that has more than 15,000 square feet of

Inside the General Store at Midway Village Museum, with costumed interpreter P.J. Francis.

exhibition space, including the new indoor Many Faces, One Community exhibit, with its interactive learning stations that explain how various immigrant groups shaped Rockford.

The community picnic is sponsored

by ComEd, Del Gloyd, Greenlee, Rasmussen College, Members Alliance Credit Union, Midland States Bank, SwedishAmerican Health System and Rockford Park District. ❚

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Festa Italiana Continued from Cover

“The new stage will help a lot, because there won’t be as much downtime between each performance,” says Frank Valentine, Festa Italiana executive committee member and past Festa chair.

“Singers with a short set-up time can perform at the second stage, while larger bands can work on setting up at the first stage.”

Another reason for a new stage is to provide more time for the Amici Italian Dance Troupe performances. Both the youth and adult groups will perform multiple times throughout the fun-filled weekend.

Food choices range from cannolis and granitas to Italian beef and sausage.

Sfingi, or fried dough with sugar, is a crowd favorite that will be back this year, too. Like last year, Jersey Mike’s will serve Italian deli sandwiches, and a new

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vendor, Joey C’, will provide a variety of pastas and sauces.

In the culture tent, visitors age 21 and over can participate in wine and painting parties on Saturday and Sunday at 4 p.m.

Tradition continues with the annual tournament of bocce, an Italian bowling sport. Forty teams of four people each participate in Festa’s competition every year, and crowds love to gather and watch the games.

“The bocce tournament is one of the focal points of the festival,” says Valentine. “It’s grown quite a bit over the years – we have three courts now.”

The roster for this year’s games is already full, but Valentine encourages anyone interested in playing next year to visit griaa.org to access an entry application.

While adults compete at bocce, children play carnival games and have fun on various rides, including slides, a miniroller coaster and merry-go-round.

On Saturday, Aug. 1, at 12:15 p.m.,

July 22

the first annual Little Miss Italian American Pageant will take place on the new Gambino Stage. Young girls from two separate age categories (ages 5-8 and 9-12) will take the stage and answer a few questions about their experiences as Italian Americans.

“Celebrity judges from local news stations will decide the winners, who will then get to announce one of the acts on the main stage,” says Karen Cantele, Festa Italiana executive committee member and past Festa chair.

Friday’s entertainment schedule begins at 5 p.m. with singer Jack Miuccio,

R  O R and continues throughout the night with The Classix, Amici Italian Adult Dance Troupe, SOCO7 and Radio Stars.

The excitement continues on Saturday, beginning at 12:15, with the Little Miss Pageant and performances by Audio Rewind, Amici Italian Troupes (both adult and youth), Ultimate Party Band, Rat Pack is Back, Vince Amore and The Sensations, featuring Holland Zander.

On Sunday, Mass will be led by Bishop David J. Malloy at 10 a.m. Then, John

Truncali will start the entertainment at noon, followed by Serendipity, the adult and youth Amici Italian Troupes, Denny Diamond & The Family Jewels, Bun E. Carlos & The New Paegans, Rat Pack is Back and Mr. Big Stuff.

“We hope visitors will enjoy the entertainment, which encompasses both traditional Italian music and local bands,” says Valentine. “There’s a little bit of something for everyone at Festa. We’ve been doing this for 37 years now, and it’s one of the longest running festivals in the area, so we must be doing something right.”

Festa Italiana is a function of the Greater Rockford Italian American Association (GRIAA), an organization that prides itself on contributing to and celebrating Italian heritage in our region. Noe (Whitey) Marinelli and Bob (Corky) Corirossi began Festa Italiana in 1978 as a positive way to

celebrate Italian culture and bring family and friends together.

As Festa usually sees a turnout of about 20,000 people, during the course of the weekend, much of the money it generates each year goes toward scholarship awards that GRIAA offers to students in local Catholic grade schools and Boylan Catholic High School.

“We give about $20,000 in scholarships each year, and we’ve awarded more than half a million dollars over the past 37 years,” says Valentine.

Tickets to Festa are $5, and free for children 12 and under who are with an adult. From noon to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, all visitors will receive free admission to the festival. Military active duty and veterans always receive free admission.

“It’s the most exciting festival,” says Cantele. “It’s one big family reunion – everyone’s Italian for the day.”

Hours: Fri., 5-11 p.m.; Sat., noon-11 p.m.; Sun., noon-8:30 p.m. ❚

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July 22

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If you have a life-threatening emergency, call 911.

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July 22

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July 22

Y H

Viruses & Bacteria: The Culprits Behind Infection

By Craig Schmidt

A

n occasional sore throat or earache is bad enough, but what if stabbing throat and ear pain occurs repeatedly?

Sore throats and earaches are symptoms of an array of medical disorders. The ears and throat are anatomically connected via the Eustachian tube, which makes them susceptible to infection.

Viruses and bacteria are the culprits behind infections. The most important difference between viruses and bacteria is that bacteria respond well to antibiotic treatment, while viruses do not. Antibiotics sometimes fail to do their job, and the infections may return again and again because of the person’s anatomy, environmental exposures or activities.

Millions of children are evaluated yearly for enlarged tonsils – grape-sized pieces of tissue in the back of the throat on each side – and adenoids – small pads of tissue at the back of the nose above the throat. Infected tonsils can cause

frequent sore throats, difficulty swallowing and bad breath. Infected adenoids contribute to ear infections and breathing trouble. Enlarged tonsils or adenoids are associated with snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.

They’re usually removed if the swelling interferes with breathing or swallowing.

In children, tonsils and adenoids are often removed at the same time. Otolaryngologists (ear, nose and throat doctors) use special instruments to cut the tissue in order to remove the tonsils and adenoids.

The surrounding blood vessels are then sealed to control bleeding. Thanks to antibiotics, the number of tonsillectomies in the U.S. has declined progressively since the 1970s.

Adults become just as sick from inflamed tonsils as kids, and it’s not unusual for an adult to require a tonsillectomy.

If your surgeon recommends removal of the tonsils, be assured that the surgery can be done safely and effectively as an outpatient procedure. ❚ Source: Rockford Ambulatory Surgical Center

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July 22

Y F

Kishwaukee Fest July 20-27, daily. Events all week: live music, carnival, farmers market, Fri. parade, Sat. bacon festival, car show, Sun. wild west shootout. Downtown DeKalb, Ill. Info: (815) 756-1263, kishwaukeefestival.com.

Green County Fair July 22-26, daily. Youth exhibits, animal shows & auctions, entertainment, food stands, carnival. Green County Fairgrounds, 2600 10th St., Monroe, Wis., (608) 325-9159, greencountyfair.net.

Dave Timmcke & Friends/Eddie B. Jazz July 22, 5-7 p.m. Tunes on the Terrace series. Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, 1354 N. 2nd St., Rockford, (815) 9878858, rockfordparkdistrict.org.

Starlight Theatre: “Memphis” July 22-26, 8 p.m. The story of DJ Huey Calhoun, a good ol’ local boy with a passion for R&B music, and Felicia Farrell, an up-and-coming black singer who’s ready for her big break. Starlight Theatre, RVC, Rockford, (815) 921-2160.

Breaking Benjamin July 22, 8 p.m. Over the past decade, this rock group, led by Benjamin Burnley, has achieved worldwide success through its chart-topping music. BMO Harris Bank Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford, (815) 9685222, thebmoharrisbankcenter.com.

Lee County 4-H Fair and Jr. Show July 23-26, daily. Young exhibitors show off their projects. Events for all ages. $5/ages 12-under free. Lee County 4-H Center & Fairgrounds, 1196 Franklin Road, Amboy, Ill., (815) 857-2603, leecountytourism.com.

Music in the Park: Artists Ensemble July 23, 7 p.m. An evening of adventure, comedy and mystery, accompanied by live sound effects. Sounds of Summer series.

Free. Sinnissippi Band Shell, Sinnissippi Park, 1401 N. Second Street, Rockford, (815) 987-1636, Rockfordparkdistrict.org.

“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” July 24, dusk. Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael and Michaelangelo return in this 2014 film about martial arts-trained turtles. Free. Friday Night Flix, Davis Park, Rockford, thebmoharrisbankcenter.com.

Japanese Tea Ceremony and Sweets Making July 25-26, 9 a.m.-noon. Professor Kimiko Gunji teaches proper tea serving procedures, guest etiquette and how to make Japanese sweets served during the tea ceremony. $45. Reservations req.

Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, (815) 229-9390, andersongardens.org.

Starlite Radio July 25, 7-9 p.m. With its playful mix of folk, rock and pop, this local group has a loyal fan base across the Midwest. Food and soft beverages for sale. Concerts on the Creek series. Free. Spring Creek United Church of Christ, Rockford, (815) 877-2576, ext. 103, springcreekucc.org.

Hayley Reardon, a folk artist known for her thoughtful, vivid songwriting, will perform at the Anderson Japanese Gardens on July 28.

Music in the Park: Olivia Dvorak July 28, 7 p.m. Rock, folk, blues music.

Sounds of Summer series. Free. Sinnissippi Band Shell, Sinnissippi Park, 1401 N. Second Street, Rockford, (815) 987-1636, Rockfordparkdistrict.org.

The Lone Canary July 29, 5-7 p.m. Tunes on the Terrace series. Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, 1354 N. 2nd St., Rockford, (815) 9878858, rockfordparkdistrict.org.

Charity Challenge Home Run Derby July 26, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nonprofits, schools and churches try to break the record for the most home runs in one hour, to raise money. Little Cubs Field, 1160 W. Empire, Freeport, (815) 235-5318, stephensoncounty-il.org.

Denny Diamond & The Jewels July 29-30, seating at 11:45 a.m. and 5:45 p.m.; Sun. 3:30 p.m. The uncanny similarity of this singer’s voice to the unique baritone of Neil Diamond has made him a popular performer throughout the Midwest for nearly a decade.

White Pines, Mt. Morris, (815) 946-3817.

MBTL: Doktor Kaboom!

July 26, 4 p.m. Part Mr. Rogers and part Mr. Wizard, this fun-loving scientist explores scientific principles and methods in a way that makes math and science fun and approachable for audiences of all ages. Ferro Pavilion, GWC, Williams Bay, musicbythelake.com.

Starlight Theatre: “Young Frankenstein: The Musical” July 29-Aug. 2, 8 p.m. Enjoy all of your favorite moments from the classic film, plus brand-new, show-stopping numbers for the stage, including “Transylvania Mania,” “He Vas My Boyfriend,” “Puttin’ on the Ritz.” Starlight Theatre, RVC, Rockford, (815) 921-2160.

Evenings in the Garden: Hayley Reardon July 28, 5:45 p.m. Boston folk artist known for thoughtful, vivid songwriting and an engaging stage presence. Food and beverages for sale. $5 non-members.

Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, (815) 229-9390, andersongardens.org.

Festa Italiana July 31, Aug. 1-2, Fri. 5 p.m.-11 p.m., Sat. noon-11 p.m., Sun. noon-8:30 p.m.

Authentic Italian food, music & folk dancing; carnival; kids’ activities. Boylan High School, 4000 St. Francis Dr., Rockford.

Info: (815) 636-2902, griaa.com. ❚

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Restaurant of the Week

Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint Sizzles

By Paul Anthony Arco, senior staff writer

B

eloit’s rich history comes alive at Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint, 500 Pleasant St. “It’s a tribute to our city’s past and the industry leaders who created Beloit,” says Jayme Braasch, the restaurant’s general manager. “We want people to feel like they can really connect with Beloit.”

Named after Orson Merrill and George Houston, who founded Merrill & Houston Iron Works in 1858 (later Beloit Ironworks and eventually the Beloit Corporation), the restaurant itself is a tribute to the past.

The bar, for example, was constructed with wood gathered from a house that once stood on the property of the Iron Works.

Leather seats, hardwood floors and many historic photographs lining the walls give the space a vintage feel.

As the name implies, the restaurant features mouth-watering steaks along with a full-service menu of fish, chicken and

seafood. Specialties include seafood Alfredo, duck a l’orange, and broiled pike almondine, complemented by a toasted almond lemon butter. “We offer something for every customer,” says Braasch.

Steak cuts include rib-eye, porterhouse and New York strip, along with petite filet, Manhattan steak, and ribeye mignon. Half sizes are available.

All steaks are seasoned and topped with buttered mushrooms and crispy thin onion rings. And for an additional $7.95, each can be topped with crab, asparagus and Béarnaise, for a traditional Oscarstyle steak.

Merrill & Houston’s hosts many special occasions such as birthday parties, reunions and wedding receptions. The main dining room seats 120 and the banquet room can accommodate 200 guests.

(815) 877-0505. L T-F 11:30am-2pm, Sat 2:30pm; D M-Th 5-9:30pm, F-Sat 10:30pm, Sun 4:30-9:30pm. $$.

Top Picks for Local Restaurants Amici Italian Grill E Upscale-Casual/Authentic Italian. 5506 Clayton Circle, Roscoe, (815) 623-7171. LD Sun-Th 11am9pm, F-Sat 10-pm. $-$$.

Bravo Pizza E Italian/American. 376 Prairie Hill Rd., South Beloit, (815) 624-7900. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat 11pm. $.

Josef Barbados E Upscale-Casual/Fine dining. D Mon.-Sat. 5-10 p.m.; Bar opens daily at 4 p.m. 6860 Spring Creek Road, Rockford. $$.

Main Street Bistro E Upscale-Casual/Fine dining. Th&Sat. 109 S. Galena, Freeport, (815) 232-2322. M-Sat 2pm-midnight. $$.

Maciano’s Pizza & Pastaria E Casual. Beer/wine. 6746 Broadcast Pkwy., Loves Park, (815) 963-7869. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat 11pm. $$.

Café Fromage E Casual/American. Regional foods. 431 E. Grand Ave., Beloit, (608) 312-2070. BrLD M-F 7am-6pm, SatMerrill & Houston’s Steak Joint E Fine Dining. Ironworks Sun 8am-5pm. $.

Hotel, 500 Pleasant St., Beloit, Wis. (608) 313-0700. D Sun.Cannova’s Italian Cuisine E Casual. 1101 W. Empire St., Th 4:30-9pm, Fri-Sat. 10pm. $$.

Freeport, (815) 233-0032. D T-Th, Sun 5-9pm; F-Sat 10pm.

Napoli Pizzeria III & Top Dollar Slots E Takeout/delivery. $-$$.

6560 N. Alpine, Loves Park, (815) 877-9888. LD daily 11am.

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

Extensive wine list; daily specials. 6500 E. Riverside, Loves Pearl Bistro E Casual. Brick oven pizza, burgers, sandwiches, appetizers, steak, seafood, signature cocktails. 6876 Spring Park, (815) 654-9900. LD M-F 11am-9pm, Sat 5-9pm. $$.

Creek, Rockford, (815) 654-3400. LD daily. $-$$.

Costa’s Ristorante E Upscale-Casual. 133 Blackhawk Dr., ByPrairie Street Brewhouse E Upscale-Casual/American. 200 ron, Ill., (815) 234-4707. Open daily 4pm. $-$$.

Prairie St., Rockford, (815) 277-9427. LD Sun-W 11am-10pm, Dos Reales E Casual/Mexican. Authentic Mexican fare, Th to midnight, F-Sat to 2am. $-$$. lunch menu. 5855 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 227-4979. LD Tavern on Clark E Casual/American. 755 Clark Ave., RockSun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 10:30pm. $-$$. ford, (815) 708-7088. LD daily 10am. $-$$.

Giordano’s Famous Stuffed Pizza E Casual/Italian. Pick-up/ delivery. 333 Executive Pkwy., Rockford, Ill. (815) 398-5700. This Is It Eatery E Casual/American. 16 N. Chicago Ave., Freeport, (815) 616-5449. LD T-Th 11am-8pm, F-Sat 10pm. $.

LD Sun-Th 9am-11p.m; F-Sat to midnight. $.

JMK Nippon Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar E Upscale- Vito’s Ristorante E Casual/Authentic Italian. 1620 N. Bell Casual. Food cooked tableside. 2551 N. Perryville, Rockford, School Rd., Rockford, (815) 312-5080. LD T-Sat 11am. $$. ❚

Jayme Braasch

“Fine dining is alive and well, and continues to grow,” Braasch says. “As long as you have quality food, excellent service and a great atmosphere, you can’t go wrong. People want a nice night out. That’s never going to change.”

Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint is open daily at 4 p.m. ❚

In the Spotlight

T

Alchemy

his trendy restaurant inside Giovanni’s, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford, offers an out-of-the-ordinary experience in a big-city atmosphere.

“Alchemy has its own vibe and feel,” says Al Castrogiovanni, chef and founder. “I always had a vision and knew what I wanted to do. We do a lot of out-of-the-box thinking and customize everything.”

The full service bar features 36 craft beers on tap. Everything on the menu is made from scratch with fresh ingredients.

Pizzas made from handcrafted dough, with names like Chicago Dog and Thai Pie, are baked in a wood-fire oven. Classic fare includes pastas, soups, salads, burgers and sandwiches, all with a special twist, and daily specials.

Alchemy serves lunch 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Mon.-Fri.; and dinner 4-10 p.m. Mon.Thurs. and 4-11 p.m. Fri.-Sat. The bar is open later. ❚

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T  I

When You Say ‘I Do’ But the Kids Say ‘I Don’t’

W

hen newlyweds bring children from previous marriages, they face a major challenge in trying to balance the needs of the relationship with the needs of the kids, says Dr. Anne Brennan Malec, author of “Marriage in Modern Life: Why It Works, When It Works.”

She offers these tips.

• Each parent should be responsible for managing his or her children’s schedules, providing discipline and communicating with the ex-partner about the children.

• Manage expectations. Discuss your ideas for how the transition will go and set a reasonable bar for how you, your spouse, the children and any former spouses will respond to the new arrangement. Plan for a slow transition into “new normal.”

• Keep communications with former spouses cordial. Ideally, former spouses put the best interests of the children first. That doesn’t always happen, though.

If an ex-spouse gets under your skin too much, you might try self-soothing techniques such as meditating, exercising, taking a walk or journaling. You may also want to see a therapist.

• Nurture your romance. You will need to give extra effort to setting aside kid-free time.

“Forming a blended family is a long-term process, and it is reasonable to expect some pushback from children, who had no voice in your choice to marry,” Dr. Malec says. “Be patient and try to see it through their eyes." ❚

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Find the Right Kind of Loan W hen it comes to borrowing money, many loans offer benefits beyond simple financing. It’s important to understand how one type of loan may be right for one thing and not another. Here’s a rundown of how each works.

Credit card - Many people don’t realize that credit cards are actually loans, and users can make those loans as short-term or long-term as they need.

Some credit cards provide low- or nointerest, short-term financing as long as the monthly statement is paid in full and on time. Users also have the option to turn their credit card balance into a longer-term loan, which is likely to result in higher interest payments. Some cards may charge an annual fee.

Personal loan - Having a balance on more than one credit card can be a burden, especially if the rates are high. Many consumers opt to use a personal loan to consolidate their higher-interest loans.

Using a personal loan to pay down debt may save borrowers on interest payments if the rate on the personal loan is lower than on the credit card. Personal loans can be used to pay for major events or expenses, such as a wedding, a big trip or those unexpected life moments such as a child’s new braces or an emergency car repair. Additionally, approved borrowers can receive their money quickly.

Online resources, such as financial calculators, can help borrowers to visualize what their finances will look like when taking on a personal loan. For example, Discover Personal Loans offers online debt consolidation and personal loan calculators to provide consumers with an idea of the repayment time frame.

Home equity loan - Once a homeowner has earned equity in their home, she or he can use that as collateral to get a loan for large expenses. Many homeowners obtain a home equity loan to finance a

very costly home repair or home renovation project. Other uses for home equity loans include consolidating large debt or paying for major expenses like medical bills. Typically, home equity loans have a fixed interest rate, terms and monthly payments. Interest on a home equity loan may be 100 percent tax deductible. Borrowers should consult their tax advisor about any benefits a loan may bring.

Loans can help borrowers regain control of their finances but are not “one size fits all.” Different types of loans should be used for different types of expenses. ❚ (Source: BPT)

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