Smart Living Weekly May 2, 2018

Smart L iving Weekly Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • Rockford Region/Beloit/Freeport 95¢ • May 2, 2018

™

Right in Our Region

Fun with Friends at GR8-1-5 Beer Fest

See Page 16

Organize Your Home Fun Outings Galore!

Budding Artists Celebrate Dining at Taco Betty’s

FREE WIN!

2 Passes to Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens

Pg. 28 Details

Best of Life Information for Our Region’s Residents & Visitors Proudly Serving the Needs of 326,000 Neighbors - For Your Home, Health & Fun!

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In This Issue Right in Our Region ........................Cover & p. 16 GR8-1-5 Beer Fest Your Home .................................................. ..... 11 Organize Your Home Inspiration & Worship ......................................12 All Things New Your Outing .......................................................23 Budding Artists Your Fun ................................................... ......... 25 Restaurant of the Week ................................... 26 Taco Betty’s Dining Locally .......................................... ........ 26

Smart L iving Weekly ™

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes

Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Managing Editor Lindsey Gapen Assistant Managing Editor Jermaine Pigee Editor Emeritus Janine Pumilia Graphics Director Blake Nunes Graphic Designer Samantha Behling Contributing Writer Peggy Werner, Paula Kalivoda Furniss General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes Advertising Sales Representatives Brian Hughes, Jeremy Jones, Nita Lasky, Kendra Green Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes Website www.SmartLivingWeekly.com Published by Hughes Media Corp.

222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104 (815) 316-2300, Fax: (815) 316-2301 lhughes@northwestquarterly.com Smart Living Weekly.

Copyright 2018 by Hughes Media Corp., 222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.

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Spring Things S

pring has finally sprung and my inbox is loaded with announcements about all the fun that comes with it. Here are a few: • Mayor Tom McNamara presents his first State of the City address May 16 at Eisenhower Middle School, 6 p.m. This should be interesting! Good things are happening in Rockford!

• The Victorian Village at Midway Village Museum opens for its 44th season this Saturday, May 5, at 11 a.m. It’s one of my favorite places! New this year will be summer evening tours led by interpreters.

They really know how to make history fun.

Remember, the village represents Rockford in about 1900, when our city was at the top of its game. Many of the things that made us great back then still exist: A strategic location, a rich natural landscape and fresh water supply, a convergence of cultures and a strong Midwest work ethic.

• Baseball season is in full swing! Why not plan a trip to Wrigley Field? If you don’t want the hassle of driving and parking, join a bus trip like the ones offered by Canterbury Tours.

• Beautiful Klehm Arboretum is gearing up for its annual plant sale and Mother’s Day weekend May 11 & 12. Consider digging up some perennials, dividing them and donating what you don’t need. Also at Klehm, Woodsong Concert tickets are now on sale.

• Anderson Japanese Gardens (how much do we love this magical place?) is now open for the 2018 season! Tuesday Evening concerts begin May 29.

• Is it me, or does the quality of entertainment at Coronado and BMO just keep getting better? Tickets for the 2018-2019 Broadway series just went on sale and the lineup looks fantastic.

• Speaking of musicals, Starlight kicks off its second season under the direction of Christopher Brady on June 6 with “Shrek The Musical.” Following it are “Jane Eyre,” “Dirty Rotton Scoundrels,” “Anything Goes” and “Cinderella After the Ball.”

Let the fun begin & have a great week! ❚ Janine Pumilia SLW Editor

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Y H  G

Start the New Year with an Organized Home

By Janine Pumilia

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hen Joe Weller began installing closet systems more than 30 years ago, options were pretty limited.

“When I started in this business in 1985, most everything was shelf and pole construction and closet design wasn’t talked about much. That has changed,” says the owner of Shelving & Bath Unlimited, 4337 S. Perryville Road, Cherry Valley, Ill. Today, almost 80 percent of Weller’s customers opt for custom laminate closet systems that look like finished wood cabinets.

Along with more than 50 melamine colors and textures, there are options for granite surfaces, glass shelves, motionactivated LED lighting – even LED lights inside the drawers if you like – built-in mirrors, jewelry trays, removable laundry bags, a fold-out ironing board, adjustable cubbies made for shoes, boots and handbags and much more.

“Many people are using fewer or no dressers in their bedrooms and are choosing instead to maximize their closet space,” Weller explains.

While some people go so far as to convert spare bedrooms into luxurious walk-in closets, others double or triple the efficiency of their reach-in closets by having them professionally designed. Either way, it’s the design expertise offered by Shelving Unlimited that makes it possible to meet organization goals.

“It’s all about good design,” says Weller. “You can have the largest Taj Mahal-type closet in the world, but if it’s not functioning well it can become one more mess to deal with. Good organization saves you time and prevents frustration.”

Weller also designs storage solutions for the pantry, garage, laundry room, home office and basement.

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“Good organizational design plays a big role in making a home more functional and enjoyable,” he says.

Along with adjustable-shelf laminate storage, Shelving Unlimited offers wireshelving systems by Rubbermaid, the No. 1 brand in the industry. ❚ Get SLW Home & Garden articles every week. Visit SmartLivingWeekly.com and start your e-Edition today.

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3/29/18 11:04 AM

May 2

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I  W

All Things New!

F

INALLY spring has sprung! Its late entrance is a good reminder that we don’t control the times or the seasons of Earth.

And spring’s arrival always symbolizes that God can make all things new again – including us! There’s no such thing as “too old,” “too late” or “too bad,” when it comes to those who seek the face of God. Scripture teaches that God doesn’t want Christians to wallow in regret and guilt. Yes, we must acknowledge our sins and correct bad behavior, but past sins shouldn’t prevent us from moving forward in His work. To wallow in guilt is to reject the grace and mercy so hard won for us by Jesus Christ on the cross. It’s also a way of focusing on the flesh rather than the spirit.

“Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires,” writes the Apostle Paul in Romans 8:1 (NIV).

Paul knew what he was talking about.

Few people experienced more regret than he did. Before his conversion to Christianity, his daily life involved persecuting and killing Christians, as he details in Acts 22.

Yet he understood the importance of looking forward, not backwards. “… But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me …” he writes in Philippians 3:13-15. “All of us who are mature should take such a view of things.”

When we’re caught up in our own shame, we turn inward. We distance ourselves from God and try to hide from Him, just as Adam and Eve tried to do in the garden (Genesis 3:8.) But when we accept God’s grace and mercy, we’re free to be close to God. We’re better able to listen to Him and reach out to others with His love.

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage,” Paul admonishes the early Christians of Galatia, (Galatians 5:1, KJV.) Springtime is a great time to “get right with God” in our hearts and move forward in absolute freedom. When we do that, we’re free to say, as Isaiah did, “Here I am, – Janine Pumilia Lord, send me!” ❚ 12

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Memorial Day Weekend 2018

Loves Park City Hall Festival Grounds • 100 Heart Boulevard buttons are $12.00 at the gate or purchase in advance for $8.00 KIDS 6 and under are FREE when accompanied by an adult Sold at Loves Park City Hall,and other select locations IN MACHESNEY AND LOVES PARK button good for all four days • All shows are included with admission

MAY 5 & 6 2:00PM HONONEGAH PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Call the RDC Office for additional details at 815.963.3341 or visit our website at rockforddancecompany.com

To advertise call 815-316-2300

TICKETS ON SALE!

Diamonds, Denim & Stars WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2018 | 6 - 9 P.M. @ CORONADO THEATRE

Original players from the All American Girls Professional Baseball League will be at the event signing autographs! Megan Cavanagh, most recognized as Marla Hooch from A League of Their Own, and Kim Ng, MLB’s Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations, will also be at the event visiting with guests and signing autographs.

Vintage cars and trucks will set the scene, and ballpark fare will be served at the Tailgate Party outside the theater.

Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com, or at the Coronado Performing Arts Center (800.745.3000).

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R  O R

GR8-1-5 Beer Fest Debuts May 19

By Janine Pumilia isten up, beer lovers! A new Rockford event is designed just for you and will take place Saturday, May 19 at the BMO Harris Bank Center, 300 Elm St. The fest is the first of its kind at the BMO and is sponsored by RAVE, Savor, La Monica, and BMO Harris Bank Center.

Some 26 regional breweries will offer samples of more than 150 beers so you can figure out your favorites. GR8-15 isn’t just about the beer; there will also be limited whiskey tastings, music provided by Luxe Productions and premium giveaways including a bike from Kegel’s and a gift basket from Prairie Street Brewhouse, plus other beer gear.

“Let’s face it, great memories start with quality beer and good company,” says Jessalyn Carlsen, marketing coordinator for BMO Harris Bank Center. “The

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GR8-1-5 Beer Fest is a fantastic way to test many different beers, have fun with friends and experience the BMO in a way that’s different than hockey or concerts.”

It’s also an opportunity to purchase food from local food vendors who serve Rockford, since several will be parked inside the center selling their tasty fare,

presented by:

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including 15th & Chris, Bamboo and Cantina Taco.

For another kind of treat, Rudy’s Cigars may be purchased and smoked outdoors in a section of Elm Street that will be closed to traffic.

“We thought it would be nice to have an area where you can take a break

R  O R

between tastings, play bags, and maybe smoke a cigar,” Carlsen says.

Participating breweries include Deschutes Brewery, Odell Brewing Co., Oskar Blues Brewery, Seattle Cider Company, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Hand of Fate Brewing Company, Lakefront Brewery, Revolution, Brewing, Pig Minds Brewing, Crystal Lake Brewing, Leinenkugel’s Brewery, Church Street

Brewing, Maplewood Brewery & Distillery, Potosi Brewery, Bell’s Brewery, Blake’s Hard Cider Co., Prairie Street Brewhouse, Lena Brewing Company, Founders Brewing Co., and more.

Doors will open at 1 p.m. for VIP ticket holders and at 2 p.m. for general admission. VIP tickets cost $75 and general admission tickets cost $35; designated driver tickets cost $15. Buy them

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at ticketmaster.com, over the phone at (815) 968-5222 or at the center’s box office. Only a limited number of VIP tickets are available and the number of tickets sold at the door will be determined by how many have sold in advance.

Along with early entrance, VIP ticket holders will enjoy access to a private VIP area that includes its own bar, free appetizers and private bathrooms. They’ll also receive a commemorative tasting cup, beer key, draw-string bag and souvenir T-shirt.

General admission ticket holders will receive a commemorative tasting cup and event access from 2-5 p.m.

“We’ll be notifying Uber and Lyft to be around for those who want a ride home,” she adds.

Learn more about the event at thebmoharrisbankcenter.com/events/beerfest. ❚

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Y O

‘Budding Artists’ Kiwanis Event is May 11 T

he Kiwanis Club of Rockford (KCOR) will present its 5th annual gala fundraiser, Budding Artists, on Friday, May 11, from 6-9 p.m. at the MauhNah-Tee-See Country Club in Rockford.

Tickets are $50 each and can be purchased through a KCOR member, online at kiwanisclubofrockford.com or by mailing a check payable to Kiwanis Charities to P. O. Box 8472, Rockford, IL, 61126.

Budding Artists is an event that showcases and supports young artists and teaches them about philanthropy. Selected artists from eight local high schools – Rockford Public Schools District 205, Boylan Catholic and Rockford Lutheran – will showcase their original work and earn 50 percent of the sale of each art piece sold during the live auction. The students also are eligible to apply for an education scholarship through KCOR. Three $1,000 scholarships will be award-

ed and each school’s art department will receive $250 to use as needed.

From 6 to 7 p.m., guests will view art, mingle and enjoy an appetizer buffet and cash bar while listening to live music by high school violinist Aria Beerdt and her mother, Rachel Handlin, on keyboard. Attendees will be invited to contribute to a community art painting, “A Little Dab’ll Do It,” to be auctioned off at the end of the evening. The painting will be coordinated by Charlotte Hackin, an internationally recognized artist and KCOR member.

The program will begin at 7 p.m. with remarks followed by a live auction with bids starting at $100 per piece. Charity auctioneer Don Banks and Ken Freeman, owner/operator of Irene Auction

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Service, will provide their lively services.

Profits support the participating student artists, each school’s art program and KCOR, which awards funds to local groups that help children.

Budding Artists major sponsors include Alpine Bank/ Midland States Bank and SwedishAmerican, a Division of UW Health.

Among the groups KCOR helps to support are CASA, NLI, KFACT, Rockford Area Arts Council, Ethnic Heritage Museum, Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts, Boys and Girls Club, Rockford Day Nursery, Burpee Museum, Rockford Rescue Mission, Rockford Park District, Rock House Kids, Rockford Day Nursery, Burpee Museum and Rockford Park District.

The 2018 President of Kiwanis Club of Rockford is Don Terasaki. Learn more at KiwanisClubofRockford.com. ❚

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Y F

Events

Rockford University Spring Concert May 4, 7:30 p.m. Music for the season, featuring Rockford University’s Regent Singers, Women’s Ensemble and Vocal Collective.

Maddox Theatre, Rockford University, Rockford, (815) 226-4100, rockford.edu.

Joe Jencks May 4, 7:30 p.m. Whether p l a y i n g Carnegie Hall, the Lincoln Center or festivals and coffee houses, Rockford native and folk artist Jencks skillfully weaves stories of social consciousness, spiritual exploration and musical beauty. MPAC, Mendelssohn Hall, (815) 964-9713, mendelssohnpac.org.

Lincoln Academy Concert & Convocation May 5, 5:30 p.m. Eight Illinoisans will be inducted as Lincoln Laureates, two of them from Rockford. Pianist/composer Emily Bear will perform a piece she wrote for this event;

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RSO will perform a composition written for this event by music director Steve Larsen.

Concert is free but registration is required.

Go to theLincolnAcademyofIllinois.org.

Coronado Theater, 314 N. Main St., Rockford, Ill., (815) 756-3728, kishorchestra.org.

Budding Artists Gala Fundraiser May 11, 6-9 p.m. The Kiwanis Club of Rockford 5th annual gala fundraiser featuring the sale of local artwork and live music. Mauh-NahTee-See Country Club. Tickets $50; learn more at kiwanisclubofrockford.com.

‘Cipollino’ May 6, 2 p.m. The fairy tale by Gianni Todari comes to life in a ballet that tells the adventures of Cipollino, the Little Onion Boy, who fights the unjust treatment of his fellow vegetable folk by the fruit aristocracy. Rockford Dance Company, Riverfront Museum Park, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 963-3341, rockforddancecompany.org.

RCCA: ‘Sleeping Beauty’ May 6, 3 p.m. The Moscow Festival Ballet features leading dancers from across Russia, who perform exciting new productions of timeless classics. Coronado PAC, Rockford, (815) 968-0595, coronadopac.org. ❚

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WDL

Taco Betty’s Offers Tasty, Trendy Fare

By Jermaine Pigee

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ocated at 212 E. State St., this trendy, casual downtown Rockford restaurant takes its name from the nickname that investor Brent Hughes uses for his wife, Betsy Branca. Hughes and coinvestor John Bross came up with the concept for Taco Betty’s in 2014. Chef Paul Sletten is president of the company and handles daily operations.

The entrance to Taco Betty’s faces State Street near the Rock River and the restaurant has an open design and large windows that bring in loads of natural light. Diners have a front-seat view of Rockford City Market in summertime and downtown Rockford year-round.

The goal of this restaurant is to serve tasty food, not necessarily authentic Mexican fare, says manager Dann Shallenberger.

“A lot of people say this is not an authentic Mexican restaurant, but we never tried to be that,” Shallenberger

says. “We just want to make fun, unique tacos.”

Among signature offerings are pork and pineapple tacos made with chilebrined pork, roasted pineapple, cilantro and onion and crispy fish tacos with roasted corn, dried chiles, cheese, avocado lime mayo, cilantro and onion.

Tacos come in pairs for lunch and threesomes for dinner. They’re served with smoked black beans and rice, house pickles and salsa. Additional flavor combinations come and go throughout the year.

Other items on the menu include chips and guacamole, chicken taquitos, chicken verde nachos and taco salad.

The kitchen inside Taco Betty’s is exposed, so your food is made right in front of you. Executive Chef Quinn Lawyer oversees what happens in the kitchen.

The restaurant continues to evolve,

Baci’s Kitchen  Fast-Casual American and Italian specialties, Giordano’s  Casual/Italian. Stuffed pizza, salads, entrees, dine-in, carry-out. 2990 N. Perryville Road, inside A Perryville sandwiches, desserts. 33 Executive Parkway, Rockford, (815) Place. (815) 329-6922. Open 7 days/wk. at 8 a.m. BkLD. Com- 398-5700. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11 pm. plete menu at Baciskitchen.com.

GreenFire  Upscale-Casual/American contemporary. SeaBravo Pizza  Italian/American. 376 Prairie Hill Road, South Be- sonal cuisine; local-sourced ingredients; gourmet market; loit, Ill., (815) 624-7900. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11pm. $. live entertainment. 6795 E. Riverside Blvd., Rockford, (815) Capital House  Fine dining, sushi bar, gourmet coffee (martini 316-3473. BkLD M-F 11am, Sat-Sun 8am. Bar open late. $$$.

bar awaiting liquor license). 308 W. State St., Rockford, (815) 708- Hearthrock Cafe  Restaurant/cafe. Baked goods, coffee, 8989. BLD M-Th 8am-4pm, Fri. 8 am-10pm, Sat. 11am-10pm. breakfast, lunch. Inside Benson Stone Co., 1100 11th St., Closed Sunday. $-$$$.

Rockford, (815) 227-2000. BkL M-F 7:30am-3pm; Sat. 8amCiao Bella Ristorante Upscale-Casual/Italian-American. Dai- 3pm. $-$$.

ly specials. 6500 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park, Ill. (815) 654- Maciano’s Pizza & Pastaria  Casual. Pizza, Italian favor9900. LD M-F 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sat. 5-10 p.m. $$ ites, beer & wine. 6746 Broadcast Pkwy., Loves Park, Ill., Costa’s Ristorante  Upscale-Casual/Italian. 133 Blackhawk (815) 633-7500; 5801 Columbia Pkwy., Rockford, (815) 2275577. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11pm. $$.

Dr., Byron, Ill., (815) 234-4707. LD Daily 4pm. $-$$.

Cucina di Rosa  Italian Bistro/Bakery 1620 Bell School Road, Prairie Street Brewhouse  Upscale-Casual/American. 200 Rockford, (815) 395-5040. BkLD. Homemade gelato, baked Prairie St., Rockford, (815) 277-9427. LD Sun-W 11am-10pm, Th to midnight, F-Sat to 2am. $-$$. goods, pasta, frittatas, more. M-Sat 7am-9pm. $$ Dos Reales Mexican Restaurant  Casual/Mexican. Authen- Taco Betty’s  Casual/Mexican-American. 212 E. State St., tic dishes, lunch menu. 5855 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 227- Rockford, (815) 977-5650. LD Daily 11am-1am. $$.

4979. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 10:30pm. $-$$.

Thrive Café  Casual/Cafe. Salads, wraps, sandwiches, smoothies, cold-pressed juices. Inside Peak Fitness, 4401 Peak Fresco at the Gardens.  Casual/American Café. Fresh, local-sourced ingredients. 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, Drive, Loves Park, Ill. BkLD M-F 6am-8pm, Sat 8am-2pm. ❚ (815) 316-2256. BkL Daily 7am-3pm. $$

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May 2

with more made-from-scratch items being added over time.

“Pretty much everything we serve is made in-house,” says Shallenberger.

The restaurant opens daily at 11 a.m.

The kitchen is open Sun.-Thurs. until 10 p.m. and until midnight on Fri.-Sat. ❚

In the Spotlight

Top Picks for Local Restaurants

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Dann Shallenberger mixes margaritas from juice squeezed fresh daily.

To advertise call 815-316-2300

Merrill & Houston's Steak Joint

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ocated at 500 Pleasant St., Beloit, inside the Ironworks Hotel, the restaurant features mouthwatering steaks, along with a full-service menu of fish, chicken and and seafood selections.

Named after the men whose 1858 foundry became Beloit Corp., Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint celebrates Beloit's rich industrial history.

Many of its components are constructed with repurposed materials salvaged from historic buildings. Leather seats, hardwood floors and many historical photographs lining the walls give the space a rustic feel.

Merrill & Houston's is available for private and corporate events. The main dining room seats 120 and the banquet room can accommodate 200 guests.

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

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