Smart Living Weekly July 31, 2019

Smart L iving Weekly Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • Rockford Region/Beloit 95¢ • July 31, 2019

™

Right in Our Region

The Mendota Sweet Corn Festival is On!

See Page 16

What’s New in Kitchen Updates Is Your Grilling Flavorful Enough?

How to Cook with Summer Cherries ‘Intricacies’ at Freeport Art Museum Reduce Allergens in Your Home

FREE WIN!

4 Mega Passes to Winnebago County Fair 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!

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In This Issue

Right in Our Region ........................Cover & p. 16 Mendota Corn Festival is On! Your Home ............................................ ........... 11 What’s New in Kitchen Updates Inspiration & Worship ......................................12 Lying Lips Your Kitchen .....................................................15 Cooking with Cherries Your Outing ............................................. .........19 New Exhibit at Freeport Art Museum Your Community ...............................................20 Celebrating Literacy Your Outdoor Living .........................................21 More Flavorful Grilling Your Health ............................................. .......... 23 How to Reduce Allergens in Your Home Your Fun ................................................... ......... 25

Restaurant of the Week ................................... 26 Dos Reales 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 Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes Distribution Kelly Fairbairn 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 2019 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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Preventing Tragedy

S

tories of children killed in preventable accidents are heartbreaking and those involving hot car deaths are among the worst.

In 2018, 52 U.S. children died in hot cars, up from the yearly average of 38, according to kidsandcars.org. This year, 23 have died so far, including twin babies in New York last week.

In most of these cases, the offending parent is not a child abuser but a loving parent who made a terrible absent-minded mistake.

The New York dad is a licensed social worker and Iraq War veteran who was rushing to his job at a VA hospital. He dropped his 4-yearold son at daycare and went through his busy workday assuming he’d left his twins at their daycare. He hadn’t. The rear-facing car seats weren’t visible through tinted windows and no one heard their cries.

His wife and neighbors describe him as a loving dad. Now his wife must grieve the loss of her babies while processing her own rage, worry and frustration. She must parent their other three children, all in mourning, alone, as her inconsolable husband sits in jail on suicide watch and strangers call him a monster.

It’s tempting to judge such a parent but I try not to. My very responsible late father once left my brother, then a tot, at his workplace, Rockford Newspapers, by mistake. Dad’s mind was on his work of delivering newspaper bundles to carriers and he didn’t normally have Gary with him. Dad returned in a panic hours later to find Gary happily eating candy bars under the watchful eyes of the press crew. He got lucky. Most of us believe we’d never make such a mistake, but we just might.

Consumer Reports (CR) is urging lawmakers to pass the Hot Cars Act of 2019, requiring all new passenger vehicles to come with equipment designed to alert parents if a child is left in the back seat. We’re already alerted when headlights are left on or the trunk is open. It seems reasonable to me.

“Especially when there is a change in routine, we go on autopilot and need help jogging our memory,” says Emily Thomas, Ph.D., Automotive Safety Engineer for CR. The bill will likely die amid partisan bickering and anti-regulation fervor. Children don’t have lobbyists.

Have a safe week! ❚ Janine Pumilia SLW Editor

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Y H  G

Remodel Your Kitchen for Efficiency, Beauty

By Janine Pumilia

A

well-planned kitchen renovation improves the value of your home and the quality of your life. While it may seem like a big effort and expense, the resulting efficiency and beauty are well worth it.

“If you go with a classic style for the larger elements, like cabinets, you can always update smaller elements as trends change,” advises Kayla Hauch, kitchen and bath designer at Benson Stone Co., 1100 11th St., Rockford. “The style most in demand right now is transitional, which has nice clean lines.”

Classic white painted cabinets are very popular right now, both in bright whites and creams. Mixing finishes – such as combining white cabinets with an island painted in gray or navy – is on trend.

“I’m also seeing a lot of open shelving,” says Hauch. “Maybe the kitchen

colors are all neutral but that open shelf is the one pop of color.”

The popularity of gray tones is holding strong “but is turning to a warmer gray,” she says.

Regardless of what cabinet style you love, avoid busy backsplashes.

“We tend to let a lot of objects accumulate on our countertops. If you have a busy background behind them, it can look pretty cluttered,” says Hauch. For that reason, she’s glad to see a decline in the use of small-tile mosaic backsplashes.

Tried-and-true subway tiles add character to a kitchen backsplash without competing with everything else.

“Standard white glossy or matte subway tiles are classic but they also come in other styles now, like larger formats, more color options – gray is popular – and artisan textures for a more hand-hewn look.”

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The tiles also can be laid in a herringbone pattern rather than horizontal lines.

“Our customers like the fact that we offer one-stop shopping,” says Hauch.

“Really, anything you would need in any room of your house is something you can pick out right here in our store, from lighting to flooring. It’s nice to be able to coordinate everything under one roof.

And our prices are very competitive.” ❚

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I  W

Lying Lips

Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight. – Proverbs 12:22

R

emarkably, there’s a lot of discussion today about whether or not honesty really matters. This basic tenet of the JudeoChristian faith, so important to our forefathers, seems to be endangered.

Lying becomes a way of life when we fail to stand up to it in ourselves and in others. Our culture depends upon honesty to function well. Lies erode marriages, families, friendships, churches, civic life, employment contracts and democracy at all levels.

In court, we need witnesses to tell the truth and jurors to care; In war, trust in leadership is required before we can relinquish our children to the battlefield.

But most importantly, if we model dishonesty or fail to stand up for truth, we reject God. “There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers. (Proverbs 6:16-20a.)

Lucifer, the “father of lies,” was so good at lying that he convinced one-third of the angels to leave Heaven. Jesus never shrank from holding him or his followers accountable to truth.

“You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44, NIV).

Lying damages us; truth sets us free.

It requires courage to condemn the former and embrace the latter in ourselves, our loved ones, our society.

But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. – (John 3:21) ❚ – Janine Pumilia 12

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Y K

Enjoy the Summertime Flavor of Sweet Cherries S weet cherries not only provide a boost of flavor but also pack a punch when it comes to nutrition, helping keep you and your family healthy.

Cherries can help reduce inflammation and lower blood pressure as well as relieve stress and gout, and can improve sleep quality.

The perfect time to take advantage of the goodness of Northwest-grown sweet cherries is through August. Eat fresh cherries as a snack, bake them into a pie or pair with ice cream.

Find more recipes and ways to use cherries at nwcherries.com.

Cherry Sauce Servings: 16 3/4 3/4 4 4 4 3

cup water cup maple syrup cups fresh sweet cherries cups dried cranberries peels (2 inches each) fresh ginger TB citrus zest (optional) black pepper (optional) fresh herbs (optional) raspberries (optional)

In medium saucepot, add water, syrup and sweet cherries. Bring to simmer, stirring as sauce forms.

Add cranberries; continue stirring.

Once reduced, remove from heat and add fresh ginger, citrus zest, black pepper, fresh herbs and raspberries, if desired.

Cool 30 minutes-1 hour before transferring to wider, shallow pan for speed cooling. Once cooled, store refrigerated in airtight container up to 2 weeks.

Cherry Bruschetta Servings: 6

18 slices small baguette-style bread 1 TB olive oil, divided 1 1/2 cups pitted Northwest fresh sweet cherries, coarsely chopped 1/4 cup chopped cilantro 1/4 cup diced yellow sweet pepper 2 TB finely chopped green onions 2 TB lime juice 1 tsp. grated lime peel 1/2 tsp. garlic salt 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper 2 oz. fresh mozzarella cheese 1 TB thinly sliced fresh basil

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Heat oven to 350 F. Arrange baguette slices on cookie sheet and toast one side 5 minutes. Turn slices, brush with 1/2 TB olive oil and bake 5 minutes.

Combine cherries, cilantro, sweet pepper, green onions, lime juice, lime peel, garlic salt, pepper and remaining olive oil; mix well. Top each baguette with thin slice cheese, 1 TB cherry mixture and sprinkle of basil. Serve warm or cold. ❚ (Family Features)

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R  O R

Mendota Sweet Corn Festival is Aug. 8-11

By Peggy Werner he unusually wet spring left fields under water, causing the corn crop to either not get planted on time, or not get planted at all. This made Mendota Chamber of Commerce President Kate Fox wonder if there would be a sweet corn festival this year.

Thanks to a better corn crop south of the Rockford area, the 72nd Mendota Sweet Corn Festival will be Thursday through Sunday, Aug. 8-11, and will feature local musicians, a beer garden, amusement rides, food vendors, craft booths, a fitness run and walk, a blood drive, tennis tournaments, a king and queen pageant – and yes, lots of corn.

“We usually get our sweet corn from Mendota, but the corn is too immature to pick in time for the festival. We were able to get the corn from the DelMonte fields in Peoria, lll., which will provide us with

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corn for the weekend,” she says.

Fox says the festival usually goes through about 50 tons of corn. Freshly picked corn will be sold for $4 a dozen on Saturday and Sunday during festival hours. Beginning at 2 p.m. Sunday, while supplies last, hot boiled corn will be given away. The Mendota Optimist Club will be selling roasted corn Friday through Sunday.

In addition to all the corn, more than 50 food vendors will line two city blocks along Illinois Avenue and Washington Street, providing classic favorites like corn dogs, hot dogs, burgers, nachos, pork chops, brats, onion rings, mozzarella sticks, pizza, wings, cotton candy, kettle corn, funnel cakes, elephant ears, taffy, pulled pork and more.

Ethnic favorites will include chicken or beef kabobs, Italian sausage, Italian

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beef, Italian ice, tacos, burritos, gyros, baklava, Greek salad, fried pickles and more. Lemon shake-ups, snow cones, iced tea, root beer floats and frozen cappuccino will be among drink options.

The festival will begin with a “Special Afternoon for Special Kids” from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday for any individual with special needs and their immediate families. Those wanting to attend the free event need to pre-register by calling the chamber at (815) 539-6507.

Also on Thursday, carnival rides and food

R  O R

booths will be open from 6 to 10 p.m. and The Valley Katz will perform classic rock songs by Elvis, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly and more at 7 p.m. on the main music stage on the corner of Veterans Way and Washington Street, sponsored by First State Bank.

Friday’s events will begin with a youth division tennis tournament at 10:30 a.m.; food booths opening at 10:30 a.m.; carnival rides opening at noon; balloon artist Magic Matt performing from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Dallas Stramberger

playing a mix of ’50s, ’60s, blues and country music from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and The Acoustix performing from 2 to 4 p.m. and also from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the hospitality tent in the First State Bank parking lot, 706 Washington St., followed by the Sweet Corn Queen Pageant at 7:30 p.m.

Cornapalooza kicks off Saturday’s lineup with a 5K/10K Run and 5K Fitness Walk at 8 a.m., beginning and ending at Lake Mendota. Awards, giveaways and food will be provided for all who participate. Register online at sweetcornfestival.com. Proceeds from the event benefit OSF Saint Paul Medical Center’s foundation.

An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the corner of Indiana Avenue and Jefferson Street.

For an appointment, call the Red Cross at 1-800-Give-Life, ext. 5.

More than 200 vendors will be at The Crafters Market and Flea Market from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the Mini Royalty Pageant will take place at 10 a.m. A

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local art show and sale will be from 10 to 8 p.m. at Setchell Studio, 723 Washington St. The adult division tennis tournament is at 10:30 a.m. at Mendota High School, 2300 W. Main St. Carnival rides begin at noon on Saturday.

Sunday’s events will include the craft show and flea market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., adult division tennis tournament singles at 10:30 a.m., the hospitality tent opening at 10:30 a.m. and carnival rides opening at noon.

At the Crafters Market and Flea Market, visitors can purchase food, jewelry, home décor, scents, handmade crafts, pet products, wooden art, children’s items, collectibles and more.

Admission to the festival is free. Daily unlimited ride passes can be purchased throughout the weekend. Mega passes are good for unlimited rides during the entire festival and can be purchased in advance until noon Aug. 8 for $65 at the chamber office or online at sweetcornfestival.com.

At the festival, the cost is $80. ❚

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Y O

FAM Exhibit Features Three Local Artists T

he Freeport Art Museum, 121 N. Harlem Ave., Freeport, will open the exhibit “Intricacies” in its Newell Gallery in August, featuring work by three Rockford-area artists whose time-consuming techniques and dedication to detail render visual marvels of complex compositions.

The artists include Betsy Youngquist, Lisa Goesling and Paul Pinzarrone.

Youngquist’s mixed media beadwork reflects a fascination with the intersec-

Deer by Betsy Youngquist

tion of humans, animals and mythology.

When creating her embellished objects, Youngquist collaborates with sculptor R. Scott Long in designing and constructing the forms. She has exhibited at the Smithsonian Craft Show in Washington, D.C.; VIDA Museum in Borgholm, Sweden; and the International Doll Show in Kiev, Ukraine.

Goesling microscopically examines nature and abstracts for their aesthetic value. She creates hyper-detailed renderings on black scratchboards that are composed of Kaolin clay covered with India ink. Using an X-ACTO knife, she etches her design on the black surface and an image bursts forth from the white clay.

Sometimes she adds colored inks to her ecological subject matter.

Goesling began taking art classes at the School of the Art Institute in Chicago at age 12. Her work has been requested for exhibitions nationwide.

Airbrush artist-turned-digital painter Pinzarrone works on metallic film on the

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Venus Seated by Paul Pinzarrone

backside of plexiglass and on high-gloss aluminum. He begins with photographs taken in his studio, which he layers with digital designs created with CAD, fractal and paint software. The result is beautifully candy-colored, sensual puzzles.

Pinzarrone taught drawing and design at Rockford and Rock Valley Colleges and has exhibited work in major U.S. cities. ❚

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Y C

Celebrating Learners at The Literacy Council E very day is a day to celebrate at The Literacy Council, where dedicated volunteers meet with learners to help them read, write and absorb the English language. As friendships grow, tutors share expertise and learners build selfconfidence. The lives of both are changed forever.

This past May, The Literacy Council celebrated the achievements of adult learners at Project WRITE-ON!, a program held at The North Suburban Library in Loves Park. This annual event showcases learners’ writing that has come to life. Tutors help learners to write an entry of their choice. Each year the stories are bound into a book. This year there were more than 70 submissions for the book.

Participants look forward to seeing their published stories and have an opportunity to read them aloud to their families, tutors and peers. It’s a very special moment for both learner and tutor as it

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Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White awards learner Thanaa Alhasan with the Spotlight on Achievement Award during a ceremony at the Illinois State Library in Springfield. At right is her tutor, Lynn Alberts. The Rockford-area women met through The Literacy Council.

reflects the hours of hard work, growth and achievement they shared.

Another highlight of Project WRITEON! is presenting the Melton E. Taylor Award for outstanding learner. This year’s recipient was Thanaa Alhasan.

Also in May, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White awarded Alhasan the Spotlight on Achievement Award during

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a ceremony at the Illinois State Library in Springfield. Her tutor, Lynn Alberts, accompanied her.

“I am honored to congratulate these outstanding students for their hard work and determination to attain lifelong reading and learning skills,” White said.

There are more than 44,000 people living in the council’s 3-county service area without a high school diploma or GED. Without that achievement, there are few jobs available to them and none pays enough to sustain day-to-day living.

This elevates the crime rate, the number of children starting school with low literacy skills and the tax money needed to support public assistance programs.

The Literacy Council invites the public to celebrate learning by becoming a tutor and helping a learner to change his or her life. Learn more by calling (815) 963-7323, ext. 18 or by e-mailing Bonnie at bonnie@theliteracycouncil.org. ❚

O L

Flavorful Grilling is Easier Than You Think

By Peggy Werner

G

rills are as versatile as the people who use them and vary in size, color, shape, and functionality.

Most people own a grill or a smoker and many own two grills and use them year ‘round. Although people love the charbroiled flavor, gas grills are more popular for their convenience. Pellet grills, which come in all sizes, prices, and varying features, combine flavor and convenience and are gaining in popularity, says Brad Vander Heyden, president of Advanced Chimney Systems, 3486 Lonergan Dr. Pellet grills give the flavor of a charcoal grill or smoker with the convenience

Learn more about grilling and taste samples during demonstrations most Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m., at Advanced Chimney Systems, 3486 Lonergan Dr., Rockford.

of a kitchen oven. By using direct or indirect heat, the pellet can quickly sear and grill, smoke, or roast meat for hours.

A digital controller uses a chip, sensor, circuits and an algorithm to regulate and maintain temperature. Hardwood pellets provide heat and smoke flavor. Pellets come in a variety of flavors, including hickory, apple, cherry, pecan, oak, maple, mesquite, and peach. Combining or layering flavors gives a unique result.

“It’s like cooking on a campfire, but it’s totally automated. You can cook a pizza in minutes or ribs for hours,” he says.

Vander Heyden has a passion for grilling year round and says one of his family’s favorites is cedar plank salmon, which can be cooked in about 15 minutes.

He also has experimented with cooking vegetables and says kabobs with peppers, onions, tomatoes, pineapple and chunks of meat can get done all at the same time

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by using indirect heat. Some vegetables he wraps in foil; others he places directly on the grill to absorb the most smoke flavor. It’s all about knowing what the grill can do and being creative, he says.

“A lot of people are just not aware of all the options in grilling,” he says.

Grilling systems on display at Advanced Chimney include those by Napoleon, Broilmaster, Big Green Egg and Louisiana, with options for gas, pellet and natural charcoal grilling. ❚

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You Deserve Kevin’s Unsurpassed Service Kevin Fisher, Gambino Realtors Here’s What Kevin’s Customers Have to Say:

“Our property was sold in three days! The sale process went very smooth and a pleasant experience. Kevin was recommended by a friend who hired Kevin to sell his investment property. I would recommend Kevin to anyone!“

David & Penny Damiani 815-494-9595 • kfisher@gogambino.com.

See more of my testimonials at my website: GoGambino.com/kfisher

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Y H

Professional Cleaning Reduces Allergens

By Peggy Werner

I

n warm weather, everyone looks forward to flinging open doors and windows to let the fresh air in ... but this also ushers in allergens.

Paul McCann, owner of Stanley Steemer, 9958 N. Alpine Road, says that these culprits build up in the home year round and the only way to banish them is to have floors, grout and carpets professionally cleaned.

“No matter how good you are at cleaning, there are microscopic particles of dust, pet dander, dead skin cells and pollen that build up in the home,” he says.

Stanley Steemer’s equipment, people and products set his business apart, he says. He can remove about 94 percent of common household allergens from carpet, 96.5 percent from tile and grout and 96 percent from hardwood floors, while leaving behind no residue. This makes life safer for pets and people, he says.

All employees of Stanley Steemer undergo a criminal background check, are drug screened, thoroughly trained and certified, he says. Stanley Steemer has the Asthma and Allergy Friendly certification from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, which was created to scientifically test and identify consumer products that are more suitable for people with asthma and allergies.

Chemicals used by Stanley Steemer meet the criteria for the Environmental Protection Agency’s “safer choice” category, which helps consumers find products that are safer for both human health and the environment.

Professional equipment outperforms home machines by reaching higher temperatures with more pressure and vacuuming ability to get the best results, he says.

Stanley Steemer makes its own

equipment and cleaning products in the U.S. McCann recommends people get all flooring cleaned every spring and winter.

Depending on their lifestyles, number of children and pets, some may need to professionally clean more often.

Contrary to what some people think, professional cleaning is not hard on flooring, he says.

“We never get the carpet so wet that it goes through the backing. If you use the right products and technique, cleaning will not cause wear.” ❚

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CARPET • TILE & GROUT • HARDWOOD • UPHOLSTERY 24 HOUR WATER RESTORATION Minimum charges apply. Not valid in combination with other coupons or offers. Must present promo code at time of service. Valid at participating locations only. Residential only. Cannot be used for water emergency services. Sectional sofas may not be separated.

Sofas over 7 ft. and certain fabrics may incur additional charges. Offer not applicable to leather furniture. Offer does not include protector.

As applicable, discount applies to the smallest furniture item of equal or lesser size Certain restrictions may apply. Call for details.

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Y F Autumn just might be the best time of year. The sun is a little lower (and prettier), the air is a little crisper (and cleaner) and the leaves cascade down in colorful splendor. This fall, spend some quality time in the fun, nearby, value-packed Rockford Region. See stunning fall colors at

Real. Original.

SM

Anderson Japanese Gardens, the finest in North America. Visit beautifully spacious Rock Cut State Park. Don’t miss Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden, with more than 500 different species of trees, shrubs and vines, all

Summer Fun

ILLINOIS, USA

glowing in autumn’s glory. Indoors, our concert and theater season will be gaining momentum at Coronado Performing Arts Center, a beautifully restored downtown vaudeville house. Plus, our Riverfront Museum Campus will be coming alive for the whole family. Visit gorockford.com today for a full list of autumn special events, festivals, gardens, golf and more.

Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau NWQ_fall.indd 1

102 N. Main St.

Attractions & Events

Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Starlight Theatre Thru Aug. 10. Remaining 2019 shows include "Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" and, Aug. 8-10, "Madagascar," a Rockford, IL 61101 1.800.521.0849 gorockford.com special children's show. RVC, (815) 921-2160.

See full schedule at rockvalleycollege.edu.

9/10/07 2:07:37 PM

Tunes on The Terrace - Nicholas Conservatory Each Wednesday, 5-8 p.m., thru Aug. 28. 1354 N. 2nd St. Find performance schedule at nicholasconservatory.com.

I Love Music in the Park - Steely Dane Aug. 1, 7 p.m. Twenty of Madison’s best jazz and rock musicians unite around Steely Dan music. Sinnissippi Band Shell, 1401 N. 2nd St..

Rain site: Guilford High School. $5 donation.

'Noises Off' Aug. 1-11, see website for times. The audience goes behind the scenes in this play-withina-play, to see flubbed lines, missed cues and mounting friction among cast members. Stage Coach Players Theatre, 126 S. 5th St., DeKalb, Ill., (815) 758-1940, stagecoachers.com.

Concerts on the Creek – Paper Airplane Aug. 3, 7 p.m. This acoustic guitar and vocal duo entertains at Spring Creek United Church of Christ, (815) 877-2576, springcreekucc.org.

Tuesdays at Anderson Japanese Gardens Aug. 6, 5:45 p.m. Remember Jones of New Jersey with opening by Rockford's Steve McClanahan. Doors open at 5 p.m. Food & drink for purchase or BYO food (but not drink.)

AndersonGardens.org.

Horticulture Therapy - Symposium Aug. 6, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Rotary Botanical Gardens, 1455 Palmer Dr., Janesville, (608) 752-3885, rotarybotanicalgardens.org.

The New Odyssey Guy at White Pines Aug. 7, 1 p.m. Gary Todd, a founding member of Chicago’s New Odyssey. Mt. Morris, Ill., (815) 946-3817, whitepinesinn.com.

Randy Sabien Aug. 8, 7 p.m. The internationally recognized violinist plays bluesy, rockin', swingin', funky, jazz. Sinnissippi Band Shell, 1401 N. 2nd St..

Rain site: Guilford High School.

'Man of La Mancha' Aug. 8-18. See website for times. In the musi-

Janesville's beautiful Rotary Gardens is in full bloom. It will host a Horticulture Therapy Symposium Aug. 6.

cal adaptation of the classic Cervantes novel, an aged nobleman believes he's a knight.

(815) 244-2035, timberlakeplayhouse.org.

Mark Dvorak Aug. 10, 7 p.m. Entertainment by Chicago’s master folk artist, storyteller and songwriter. Spring Creek United Church of Christ, Rockford, (815) 877-2576, springcreekucc.org.

Art in the Park - Lake Geneva Aug. 10-11, Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. to 4 p.m.

The 39th annual show includes more than 80 artists. Flat Iron Park, Lake Geneva, Wis. 'Urinetown (the Musical)' Aug. 16-31, Thu.-Sat. 7:30 p.m. The poor and downtrodden rise up against the corporation controlling a drought-stricken town. [usual] Suspects, Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main St., Rockford. Info: rockfordpubliclibrary.org.

Klehm Woodsong Concert: Ernie Hendrickson Aug. 18, 6 p.m.; gates open at 4 p.m. This Wisconsin native brings Midwestern openness to a Nashville experience. Klehm Arboretum, Rockford, (815) 965-8146, klehm.org.

38th Annual Polish Fest Aug. 18, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. A Polish/English mass opens festivities, followed by live music, games, children’s activities, traditional dance performances and, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., a Polish sausage and sauerkraut dinner.

Polish pierogi, potato pancakes, sausages, pastries and beer sold all day. Free entrance. St. Stanislaus Church grounds, 201 Buckbee St., Rockford, (815) 965-3913, St-Stanislaus.org.

Ski Broncs Water Show Team Wed. and Fri. evenings, 7 p.m., thru Labor Day at Shorewood Park in Loves Park. Free admission. ❚

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WDL

Restaurant of the Week

Authentic Mexican Cuisine at Dos Reales

By Paul Anthony Arco

D

(Samantha Ryan photos)

os Reales, 5855 E. State St., Rockford, has been serving up authentic Mexican fare since 1998, along with some American favorites and signature margaritas, in an intimate yet fun atmosphere.

Dos Reales features several Mexican signature items on its recently updated menu: burrito cheese steak, chimichangas and appetizers such as guacamole ranchero. Newer dishes include 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. There are nontraditional dishes, too, such as chicken wings, burgers and french fries.

“There’s a misconception that all Mexican food is hot,” says Jose Gonzalez, Dos Reales’s manager. “All of our dishes are mild unless guests request them to be spicy.

We prepare everything from scratch and Jose Gonzalez purchase our products from local sources.”

Dos Reales offers gluten-free options and has always used fresh, preservative-free corn tortillas, chips and vegetable oil in its cooking.

Recently, Dos Reales underwent a major renovation – its parking lot was repaved, the main dining room was repainted, new flooring and a new roof were installed and the kitchen received extensive upgrades.

There’s a new bar, where customers gather for what Gonzalez calls the “best margaritas in town.” Drink specials are popular on Monday and Tuesday evenings. Live music is featured every other Friday.

The main dining room seats 100, and the back dining area can be reserved for private events. Carry-out and catering are also offered. Dos Reales is open Sun.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-10 p.m., and Fri.Sat. until 10:30 p.m. ❚ ❚

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.

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. $-$$.

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.

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

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 $-$$.

Fresco at the Gardens.  Casual/American Café. 318 Spring Creek Road, (815) 316-2256. BkL Daily 7am-3pm. $$ Giordano’s  Casual/Italian. Stuffed pizza, salads, entrees, sandwiches, desserts. 33 Executive Parkway, Rockford, (815) 398-5700. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11 pm.

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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. $-$$.

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 Stockholm Inn  Casual/American, Scandinavian emphasis.

2420 Charles St., Rockford, (815) 397-3534. BkLD M-Sat., Sun. brkfst. only. M-Th 7a.m.-7 p.m.; Fri. & Sat. 7 a.m.-2 p.m.

Sun. 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Weekend brunch. Large menu, Swedish pancakes specialty. $$ Taco Betty’s  Casual/Mexican-American. 212 E. State St., Rkfd., (815) 977-5650. LD Daily 11am-1am. $$. ❚

July 31

To advertise call 815-316-2300

In the Spotlight

Hearthrock Cafe

B

enson Stone Company’s Hearthrock Café has introduced new items to its already-popular menu. Head Chef Todd Cooper is following the popular farm-totable trend, working with seasonal and fresh ingredients as much as possible.

One of his most popular new creations is the Smoked Andouille Sausage Flatbread, with a homemade Marinara sauce, fresh mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, red pepper and mushrooms.

There’s also a new Benson Reuben sandwich, made with homemade sauce and pickled red cabbage.

Fresh salads include apple walnut, mandarin orange, garden, spinach or Caesar, iwith optional chicken or bacon.

Hearthrock Café hours are Mon.Fri. 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. and Sat. 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

Breakfast is served until 11 a.m. Benson Stone Company is located at 1100 11th St. in Rockford. Learn more at BensonStone. com/hearthrock. ❚

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