Smart Living Weekly November 21, 2018

Sm mart a r t L iving Weekly Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • Rockford Region/Beloit 95¢ • Nov. 21, 2018

™

Right in Our Region

‘The Nutcracker’ Returns to Coronado

See Page 16

Let’s Shop Local!

Beware of Check Scams Always Wanted to Dance?

Tasty Fare at Hearthrock Cafe

FREE WIN!

4 Tickets to Public Skate See 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!

Smart Living Weekly

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Beautiful flowers, topiaries and gift s 2213 E State St Rockford, IL 61104 Poskastyle.com (815) 316-2979

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In This Issue Right in Our Region ......................Cover & p. 16 ‘The Nutcracker’ Inspiration & Worship ......................................12 And Be Thankful Your Outing ......................................................21 Always Wanted to Dance? You Can! Your Money ......................................................23 Beware of Check Scams Your Dining ......................................................26 Tasty Fare at Hearthrock Cafe Your Fun .................................................. ......... 25 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

Black...WEEK is BACK!!!

Editor Emeritus Janine Pumilia Graphics Director Blake Nunes

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Graphic Designer Samantha Behling

The best rate discounts of the year are back this week only!

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, Anthony Franklin Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes Distribution Kelly Fairbairn Website www.SmartLivingWeekly.com

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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.

Let’s Shop Local!

F

or nearly 15 years, we’ve been encouraging you to commit more of your shopping dollars to locally owned businesses. Why? Because they make our regional economy stronger than big-box stores and chain restaurants ever can.

How? A much larger share of every dollar spent at a locally owned business stays in our community rather than flying off to a bigbox headquarters out of state. According to the new Small Business Economic Impact Study from American Express, an average two-thirds ($0.67) of every dollar spent at a small business stays in the local community.

Local businesses also build our unique identity in ways chain strip malls just can’t do.

We’re witnessing a rise in the yearning to shop local. More people are shopping for food at local farmers markets and the demand for local craft beers and wines is up. Many small businesses that started out with booths at Rockford City Market now occupy storefronts. Wonderful new restaurants and shops have sprung up in our region’s downtowns and vintage fairs featuring local vendors are all the rage.

We all know that Thanksgiving is Thursday, followed by Black Friday. But not everyone knows that Small Business Saturday is on Nov. 24. Begun in 2010, this national movement encourages customers to do at least some of their holiday shopping at locally owned stores. A study released this month by the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) and American Express found that 9 in 10 consumers believe it’s more important than ever to support small businesses this holiday season. It also found that 83 percent plan to do at least some portion of their holiday shopping at a small, independently owned retailer or restaurant, either in person or online.

We acknowledge that the big-box takeover of the U.S. has made it impossible to find certain items in locally owned stores. But local businesses still sell a whole universe of great gift items and gift certificates. The advertisers found on these pages and in Northwest Quarterly Magazine are some of the finest! And they also make it possible for our locally owned publications to thrive.

From all of us to you, have a very happy and thankful Thanksgiving! ❚ Janine Pumilia SLW Editor

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I  W

And Be Thankful

F

ew habits can raise one’s level of personal happiness more than the habit of seeing what’s good and being thankful for it. This holds true for all people, but for Christians, it’s central to the example set for us by Jesus Christ himself.

Many credible studies have documented that people who focus on what’s good in their lives report higher overall satisfaction with life than those who focus on their lack.

Anecdotal evidence of this concept is plentiful. One example is the story of Nick Vujicic, an Australian man born without arms or legs who nearly succumbed to deep depression in his youth. Few of us can imagine such a hardship.

Yet as a teen, he began to view his disability as a way to help others. He committed his life to God. Today he runs Life Without Limbs, a successful non-profit organization, and travels the world as a motivational speaker. He’s married, has four children, a worldwide ministry and a meaningful, enjoyable life.

“It’s not about the outside. It’s about being complete on the inside,” he tells crowds. “I’ve seen so many people complete on the outside who don’t know the truth. It’s the truth that sets you free – and who the Son sets free is free indeed.”

Jesus Christ consistently set an example of thankfulness, even during his darkest hours spent in prayer at the Garden of Gethsemane, knowing he would soon be tortured and executed. The Apostle Paul, and so many others, followed his example despite agonizing hardships.

Psalm 100:4 & 5, thought to be penned

by King David, advises: “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

All of us face pain in our lives and may rightfully be outraged by it. But we can still choose to look up and see blessings, even in our darkest hours. Everything we are and all that we have was given to us

by God, without Whom we would not even draw breath. ❚ – Janine Pumilia 12

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R  O R

‘Nutcracker’ Returns to the Coronado

By Lindsey Gapen, managing editor

E

very holiday season, ballet companies across the country don colorful costumes and perform against imaginative backdrops to Tchaikovsky’s famous score in “The Nutcracker.” This year, Rockford Dance Company and Rockford Symphony Orchestra continue the family-friendly tradition with two performances at the Coronado Performing Arts Center on Saturday, Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 2 at 3 p.m.

For Emily Cooke, the company’s executive director/artistic coordinator, “The Nutcracker” is much more than just an item on a holiday checklist.

“It’s a beautiful introduction to the fine arts, specifically the performing arts,” she says.

Monica Isla, a faculty member at Milwaukee Ballet School and Academy, has returned for her third year to

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choreograph “The Nutcracker.” Every year, she aims to refresh and improve the choreography.

“I study the details and try to present to the audience a show that they can enjoy and remember,” she says. “‘Nutcracker’ is a story of love, imagination and fantasy. I hope we have a great audience this year and they can feel the season celebration.”

John Carlson, age 13, has been dancing at Rockford Dance Company since he was 5. This will be his third year doublecast as the Nutcracker Prince and Fritz, the misbehaving brother of main character, Clara, danced by Kiley Morris.

Every year, Isla makes Carlson’s choreography a little more advanced.

“He’s really come a long way in his ability to do partner work,” Cooke says.

“It’s exciting for us to have to tweak some of the choreography because of the fact

Nov. 21

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that he’s outgrown what he could do the previous year.”

When it comes to ballet, Carlson enjoys the discipline and determination required to be successful.

“It’s really fun and rewarding when you do something great, like when you do a double tour and land on your knee, or you do a bunch of turns in second,” he says. “I always feel like it’s never enough, so I try to keep excelling.”

In addition to all of the talented dancers at Rockford Dance Company,

R  O R

John Carlson and Sophie Ellis rehearse for ‘The Nutcracker.’

members of the community participate in “The Nutcracker.” It’s the company’s only production that has auditions open to the public.

“We’ve had Mayor Tom McNamara, business owners and parents who volunteer to be in the party scene,” Cooke says. “I think it creates a nice, positive atmosphere. Plus, it’s good to have outside dancers come in. The art community is very tight knit and small in Rockford,

in terms of how many organizations there are, so the better relationship we can have together, the better we can inspire people to have a love for the fine arts.”

This year, the community is further involved in the production with the inclusion of Rockford Symphony Orchestra.

To Cooke, live music and ballet just make sense, and each is better with the other. “‘The Nutcracker’ is always beautiful with what we call ‘canned music,’ or having a CD, but a live orchestra is even better,” she says. “It’s a beautiful partnership that brings two forms of performing arts together.”

Having the ballet/live orchestra partnership perform at Rockford’s Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., enhances the production even further, Cooke adds.

“The pure historical aspect of the Coronado takes the whole thing up a notch,” she says. “We’re able to hold a larger audience, but still have the show feel intimate. Because the Coronado does

have an old feel with the way it’s painted, the stars on the ceiling – all of that makes it special and warm.”

This year marks Rockford Dance Company’s 45th season. Because of funding and donations, the company is able to bring the joy of dance to underprivileged students, individuals with behavioral issues, and others who wouldn’t otherwise have access to dance classes.

But in order for Rockford Dance Company to continue operation, the community needs to pitch in.

“I know every single arts organization, and not just ours, would say some of these big organizations in town need to start supporting the arts,” Cooke says.

“Art is always the first thing to get cut, and you can see a difference in kids who have had exposure to movement and music and those who haven’t.”

“Nutcracker” tickets can be purchased online through Ticketmaster or at the Rockford Symphony Orchestra box office, 711 N. Main St., Rockford. ❚

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Y O

You, Too, Can Enjoy Ballroom Dancing

By Janine Pumilia

D

o you watch with longing as people on television Waltz or Rumba around a ballroom floor? Do you think it looks like great fun but have no idea how to get started doing it yourself?

There’s no reason you can’t learn to dance or brush up on what you already know, whether or not you have a dance partner, says David Bentley, president of Northern Illinois USA Dance.

“We invite anyone who wants to dance to join us and no experience is necessary,” he says. “Dance is one of the best forms of exercise there is, for both body and mind. It moves all the muscles and joints, improves balance and keeps your brain busy coordinating timing and movement.”

You don’t have to join the organization to share in its fun. Come alone or with a partner, says Bentley.

The group meets every fourth Satur-

day, in a beautiful art deco ballroom with a huge wood floor, at the Belvidere Community Building, 111 W. First St. Evenings begin with professionally taught lessons at 7 p.m. followed by dancing from 8 to 10:30 p.m.

Walk-ins are welcome. The cost is $8 for non-members.

“You don’t have to show up in a tux or ball gown, either,” says Bentley. “Dress

is casual, but try not to wear sticky shoes like sneakers. Smooth soles are easier on the joints.”

“Ballroom dance” is a very broad term that encompasses many kinds of dance, including the Fox Trot, Waltz, Tango and Latin dances like the Cha Cha, Rumba and Mambo.

“We play every kind of music, not just Big Band,” Bentley says.

Northern Illinois USA Dance was organized in 1996 and has been thriving ever since. It’s part of a national organization that exists to promote ballroom dancing. While some local members participate in dance competitions, the main focus is dancing for social fun.

“Dancing a great kind of exercise because it feels like fun, not work,” says Bentley. “We’d love to see more people come and experience the benefits.”

Learn more at usadancerockford.org or facebook.com/usadancerockford. ❚

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Y M

Beware Scams that Take Your Money

By Peggy Werner ith the growing popularity of online banking and other ways to transfer cash using technology, overall check usage is down, but fake check scams are on the rise.

Matt Lynch, director of marketing for MembersAlliance Credit Union, 2550 S. Alpine Road, recently participated in a press conference announcing a new investigative study by the Better Business Bureau to make people aware of fake check scams. A panel talked about the origin of scams, who is most at risk, how people fall for scams, how scammers profit and how to avoid the bait.

“Criminals are always looking for ways to cheat, steal and swindle people out of their hard-earned money,” Lynch says. Many scams today use fake checks to con people out of their money.

Some of the most common scams include false claims that you’ve won the

W

lottery; inheritance from unknown deceased relatives; employment scams; and online purchases where you buy an item for an agreed amount, but then are given a check for a larger amount and asked to send back the difference. Some scammers trick people into buying gift cards and then ask them to call in the serial number and pin on the card.

The common factor in most scams is that scammers ask you to send money back to them to cover expenses such as taxes, part of your duties as a secret shopper, or the difference in an overpayment of an item purchased, Lynch says.

“Unfortunately, most people affected by these scams are in desperate need of money, are not familiar with check scams and are caught off guard,” he says. “When they fall victim, it causes even greater financial strain.”

The best way to protect your money is to accept cash only when making pri-

vate sales online or in person. If the buyer is paying with a cashier check or money order, for a larger transaction, meet at the bank or credit union to see the check dispersed. Accept personal checks only from someone you know and trust.

For more information visit a MembersAlliance Credit Union location at 2550 S. Alpine Road, 6951 Olde Creek Road, or inside the Wal-Mart Supercenters on West Riverside or Walton Street in Rockford and at the Rockton Road WalMart in Rockton. ❚

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Events Annual Thanksgiving Show Nov. 23, 8 p.m. Ernie Hendrickson, Just Goods Listening Room, 201 7th Street, Rockford.

Branson on the Road – Christmas Style Nov. 23 & 24, Nov. 26-28. White Pines, Mt. Morris (815) 946-3817, whitepinesinn.com.

Y F RSO: 'The Nutcracker' Dec. 1-2, Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m. See cover story. Coronado, (815) 965-0049, rockfordsymphony.com.

Jazz for the Holidays Dec. 2, 3 p.m. Holiday classics with a jazz twist.

MPAC, Starr Center, Rockford, (815) 964-9713, mendelssohnpac.org.

Handel’s 'Messiah' Nov. 24-25, 3 p.m. Rockford Choral Union.

Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 920 3rd Ave., rockfordchoralunion.com.

Winter Concert Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m. The Regent Singers, Vocal Collective, Women’s Ensemble and Gospel Choir perform a variety of music. Maddox Theatre, Rockford U., 5050 E. State St., (815) 226-4100, rockford.edu.

Artist's Ensemble: 'A Picasso' Nov. 29-Dec. 9, Thu.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sat. 4 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Cheek Theatre, Rockford U., (815) 394-5004, artistsensemble.org.

Lucia Dec. 7, 7 p.m. Swedish songs & candlelit processional. First Lutheran Church, 225 S. Third St., (815) 963-5559, swedishhistorical.org.

Zachary Owens Nov. 30, 7:30 p.m. This bass-baritone from Stillman Valley, Ill., was a national semifinalist at the 2015 Metropolitan Opera National Council Competition. (815) 964-9713, mendelssohnpac.org.

'A Nice Family Gathering' Dec. 7-8 & 14-15, Fri.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. 28 W. Clark St., Freeport, (815) 232-7023, winneshiekplayers.org.

'Annie' Nov. 30-Dec. 9, Fri.-Sat. 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 1 & Sun. 2 p.m. Stage One, JPAC, Janesville, (608) 758-0297, janesvillepac.org.

Estate Planning Seminar Dec. 11, 6 p.m. at Louie's Taphouse, 5689 Elevator Road, Roscoe. Attorney James E. Meason presents "the Big Six" of estate planning. Walk-ins welcome, special discounts for attendees. Learn more at (815) 624-6517. ❚

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WDL

New Tasty Fare at Hearthrock Café

By Peggy Werner n his second year as head chef of Benson Stone Company’s Hearthrock Café, Todd Cooper is realizing his goal of taking the restaurant to the next level of quality. He’s ensuring customer satisfaction while regularly introducing new food and beverage items.

“I’m always inviting customer input and want to cater to their ideas, as well as my own ideas and those of my staff,” he says. “I explore possibilities and try new things while providing the best food at affordable prices.”

Recent menu changes include using all free-range grain-fed chicken in recipes, using more smoked meats in some

I

tasty new sandwiches and adding specialty seasonal coffees like Salted Caramel Pumpkin Latte, Cinnamon Roll Latte, Caramel Macchiato and Cinnamon Dulce Latte are all on his radar.

New sandwiches include a Double Bacon BLT, made with fresh guacamole, Roma tomatoes, shredded Romaine lettuce on toasted marble rye; and an apple wood smoked boneless baby back rib sandwich topped with homemade barbeque sauce.

Among the most popular menu items are the Smoked Andouille Sausage Flatbread, made with a homemade Marinara sauce, fresh Mozzarella and Parmesan Cheese, red pepper and portabella mushrooms; a Mutated Reuben sandwich, made with a homemade sauce and pickled red cabbage; and traditional signature dishes such as the BBQ pulled pork, which is smoked in-house, and the tender, savory pot roast sandwich.

Todd Cooper

Cooper is following the farm-totable trend, working with seasonal and fresh ingredients as much as possible.

New dishes are first introduced as specials. A computerized menu boards above the café counter displays daily and weekly features.

Fresh hot apple cider will be served from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every Saturday in December at Benson’s, 1100 11th St., and a local band will play seasonal tunes. ❚

In the Spotlight

Top Picks for Local Restaurants Baci’s Kitchen  Fast-Casual, dine-in, carry-out. 2990 N. Perryville Road, inside A Perryville Place. (815) 329-6922. Open 7 days/wk. at 8 a.m. BkLD. Complete menu at Baciskitchen.com.

Backyard Grill & Bar  Casual/American. 5390 Elevator Road, Roscoe, Ill., (815) 623-6677. 2nd St., Loves Park, Ill., (815) 6369430. LD M-Th 11am-midnight, F-Sat to 2am, Sun noon-10 p.m. $-SS. Bravo Pizza  Italian/American. 376 Prairie Hill Road, S. Beloit, Ill., (815) 624-7900. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11pm. $.

Capital House  Lunches, fine dining, sushi bar, gourmet coffee & pastries, martini bar. 308 W. State St., Rockford, (815) 708-8989. LD T-Th 11am-10pm, Fri.-Sat. 11 am-10pm. $-$$$.

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

Daily specials. 6500 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park, Ill. (815) 654-9900. LD M-F 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sat. 5-10 p.m. $$ Cucina di Rosa  Italian Bistro/Bakery 1620 Bell School Road, (815) 395-5040. BkLD. M-Sat 7am-9pm. $$ Dos Reales Mexican Restaurant  Casual/Mexican. 5855 E. State St., (815) 227-4979. LD $-$$.

398-5700. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11 pm.

GreenFire  Upscale-Casual/American contemporary. Live entertainment. 6795 E. Riverside Blvd., Rockford, (815) 3163473. BkLD M-F 11am, Sat-Sun 8am. Bar open late. $$$.

Hearthrock Cafe  Restaurant/cafe. Baked goods, coffee, breakfast, lunch. Inside Benson Stone Co., 1100 11th St., (815) 227-2000. BkL M-F 7:30am-3pm; Sat. 8am-3pm. $-$$.

Lino’s  Italian/American. 5611 E. State St., Rkfd. (815) 397-2077. D M-Sat 4:30am-10pm; Sun. 4:30am-9 pm. $$.

Maciano’s  Casual Italian. 6746 Broadcast Pkwy., Loves Park, (815) 633-7500; & 5801 Columbia Pkwy., Rkfd., (815) 227-5577. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11pm. $-$$.

Olympic Tavern  Upscale-Casual/American. 2327 N. Main St., (815) 962-8758. Extensive beer list. LD M-Th 11 a.m.-midnight; Fri-Sat. to 2 a.m. $-$$.

Prairie Street Brewhouse  Upscale-Casual/American.

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

Fresco at the Gardens.  Casual/American Café. 318 Spring Creek Road, (815) 316-2256. BkL Daily 7am-3pm. $$

Salamone’s North  Italian-American. 2583 N. Mulford Road, Rkfd. LD. Sun. noon-10 p.m.; Mon.-Th 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sat. noon-11 p.m. (815) 639-1200

Giordano’s  Casual/Italian. Stuffed pizza, salads, entrees, sandwiches, desserts. 33 Executive Parkway, Rockford, (815)

Taco Betty’s  Casual/Mexican-American. 212 E. State St., Rkfd., (815) 977-5650. LD Daily 11am-1am. $$. ❚

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D

Dos Reales

os Reales, 5855 E. State St., Rockford, has been serving up authentic Mexican fare and signature margaritas, along with some American fare, since 1998.

Its recently updated menu features a burrito cheesesteak and chimichangas, along with newer items such as torta Mexicana, a Mexican style of sandwich filled with grilled chicken or steak; sopes Mexicanos, a traditional Mexican dish served with rice and beans; and molletes, a traditional Mexican meal with toasted bread covered in refried beans and grilled steak. Dos Reales offers glutenfree options, and dishes are mild unless a guest requests spicy.

“We prepare everything from scratch and purchase our products from local sources,” says Jose Gonzalez, Dos Reales’s manager.

Dos Reales is open Sun.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-10 p.m., and Fri.-Sat. until 10:30 p.m. ❚

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OFF

Lighting Select Fixtures

Recliners, Sofas, Dining Rooms, Home Office, Entertainment Centers, Youth Furniture, Bedrooms, Etc.!

40

up to

Savings Store-Wide during our Founder’s Day Sale!

Hurry In! Sale is through Saturday, December 1, 2018.

Some exclusions apply.

Everything for a Beautiful Home...All in One Place Visit our Cafe serving Breakfast and Lunch

1100 Eleventh Street (just south of Charles) • Rockford, Illinois 61104 • 815-227-2000 Hours: Mon 9am-8pm, Tues-Sat 9am-5pm, Closed Sundays • www.bensonstone.com

%

OFF

52

Smart Living Weekly

Issue 1