Smart Living Weekly March 28, 2018

Smart L iving Weekly Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • Rockford Region/Beloit/Freeport 95¢ • March 28, 2018

™

Right in Our Region

Foreigner to Rock the Coronado

See Page 16

Tasty & Simple Easter Recipes Innovative Window Treatments Cirque du Soleil Comes to Town New PSX Training Center Opens

FREE WIN!

$25 Gift Card from GreenFire Restaurant

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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 Foreigner Comes to the Coronado Your Home .................................................. ..... 11 Innovative Window Treatments Inspiration & Worship ......................................12 Worldwide Easter Your Kitchen .....................................................15 Tasty Easter Recipes Your Outing .......................................................24 Cirque du Soleil Comes to Rockford Your Health ............................................. .......... 23 New PSX Training Center Opens Your Fun ................................................... ......... 25

Restaurant of the Week ................................... 26 Baci’s Kitchen Dining Locally .......................................... ........ 26 Your Money .............................................. ......... 29 Tips to Make Your Home Purchase a Smooth One

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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Flying High at RFD

T

he hubby and I just returned from a Florida vacation via Allegiant Airlines. RFD must be coming up in the world because it cost us $63 to park for 10 days. Remember when “free parking” was the airport’s claim to fame?

We grumble, but we’re secretly very proud of the big strides our little airport has made and the brave folks who’ve stuck their necks out to make things happen. There’ve been many.

Some, like longtime leader Mike Dunn, have even managed to reduce airport taxes by 62 percent while building up the airport.

Remember Fred Ford, the director who landed our UPS hub and insisted that building two very long runways would be a good idea?

He was right.

Ford approached UPS one holiday season and offered RFD as free overflow space for the UPS Chicago hub. UPS happily used the space at no charge for more than 2.5 months and pulled out ... until a freak snow storm closed its Louisville, Ky. hub for three days in 1994, causing giant losses. The men in brown decided maybe they shouldn’t put all of their eggs in one basket after all. Luckily, Ford was on their speed dial. But that wasn’t really luck, was it?

And who can forget Bob O’Brien, the lively director who parked himself atop a gas station roof, bull horn in hand? He was determined to stay put until he’d built a $250,000 marketing war chest that would prove to airlines our region was serious about passenger service.

“I saw him up there and thought, ‘My God, what have I done?’” then-board chairman Dunn (now executive director) told me. “I was a little nervous.” But within 20 days O’Brien had raised $269,000 from more than 4,700 folks like you and me.

Sure, there were false starts – remember Hooters Airline? Northwest? Sunship? TransMeridian? No one else does, either.

But today RFD is not only a Top 25 cargo airport, a U.S. Customs Port and an MRO site (thanks to some brave local bankers) but also offers up to 31 flights per week to sunny places we love. And that makes me happy.

Have a great Easter! ❚ Janine Pumilia SLW Editor

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Y H  G

Options Abound for Today’s Window Treatments

By Janine Pumilia

D

uring her 28 years in the custom window treatment industry, Jenny Behning-Ziemke has seen trends come and go. But she’s never seen a better array of design options than those offered today.

“A lot of change happened two or three years ago in color palette and fabric options, as well as in technology,” she says. Ziemke is a Rockford-area design consultant with 3 Day Blinds, which offers in-home and in-office window treatment consultations. It manufactures and installs custom window treatments in less than a week, having built its brand on providing a no-hassle experience.

“Cordless window treatments are a hot topic because of child safety,” says Ziemke. “And there are many options for motorized treatments. Snowbirds and other frequent travelers like these because they can set the timer and go, with-

out having to operate something remotely on their smart phones.

“Maybe you want roller shades with pretty scallops on them for a little girl’s room. We can do that,” says Ziemke.

“Or you like the look of wood but worry about how it stands up to moisture. We have faux wood products that look just like wood.”

The 1990s saw heavy, fancy window treatments; trends then swung to an ultra minimalist look. Today’s hottest window

looks are someplace in between.

“People don’t want their windows to look undressed but they don’t want heavy and fussy, either,” says Ziemke.

As for colors and patterns, “Tastes are pretty much running the whole gambit,” she says. “Big florals, simple toneon-tone subtle designs, solids, fabrics with texture, silks, large or tiny geometrics, you name it.”

Such fashion freedom is fun but also scary to some people. That’s when Ziemke’s design degree and many years of experience shine.

“I help people to choose window treatments that complement the other elements in their rooms.”

Learn more at 3dayoffer202.com or set up a home consultation by calling (815) 242-0034. Be sure to ask about the buy one, get one 50 percent off sale currently in progress. ❚

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I  W

Easter Worldwide

O

ne of the most thrilling things about Easter Sunday is knowing that millions of people are celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ simultaneously across the world. Many of us grew up singing “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in his sight ...” and that simple truth rocks the world on Easter.

Christ beckons all people to be part of his family. There are currently about 2.2 billion Christians worldwide – roughly a third of the world’s population. (Pew Research, 2011.) Christianity is the largest world religion by far, if not the fastest growing, and is undergoing a huge population shift.

Whereas 80 percent of all Christians lived in North America or Europe just one century ago, today there are more Christians living in the global south than global north, for the first time in more than 1,000 years.

(Pew). Christianity is thriving in Asia, Africa and Latin America, but dwindling in Europe and among white non-Hispanic Americans.

“As recently as 1996, white Christians still made up nearly two-thirds (65%) of the public ... Today, only 43% of Americans identify as white and Christian – and only 30% as white and Protestant,” says the Public Religion Research Institute.

The Washington Post reports that more Christians can be found worshipping in China on any given Sunday morning than in the USA. One in four Christians lives in Africa.

One thing that’s helped to stabilize U.S. Christianity in recent decades is immigration. Of the 43 million Americans alive today who were born elsewhere, 74 percent have brought their Christian faith with them and helped to energize local churches.

“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20).

Happy Easter! He is risen indeed. ❚ 12

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Scrumptious Easter Sides T

hese recipes from Chef George Duran, host of TLCs “Ultimate Cake Off” will delight your Easter guests. Find more at jarlsberg.com.

Asparagus Tart

1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed 2 cups Jarlsberg Cheese, shredded 1 lb. asparagus 1 Tb. olive oil 1 Tb. fresh thyme leaves Salt and pepper.

Heat oven to 400 F. Prepare baking sheet with parchment paper.

Roll out puff pastry into 16-by10-inch rectangle; trim uneven edges.

Place on baking sheet. Using knife, lightly score pastry dough 1 inch from edges.

Using fork, pierce dough inside markings at 1/2-inch intervals. Bake until golden, about 15 minutes.

Remove pastry shell from oven and sprinkle with shredded cheese. Trim bottoms of asparagus spears to fit crosswise inside pastry shell; arrange in single layer over cheese, alternating ends and tips. Brush with oil, sprinkle with thyme leaves and season with salt and pepper.

Bake until spears are tender, about 20 minutes.

Puff Pastry Swirls

4 ready-rolled puff pastry sheets 1 1/4 cups grated Jarlsberg Cheese 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, chopped Pepper Heat oven to 375 F. On lightly floured work surface using rolling pin, roll out pastry sheets into

Y K

rectangles about 20-by-10 centimeters each. Mix cheese, rosemary and pepper.

Spread mixture over puff pastry sheets.

Roll up each pastry rectangle from short end. Press edges firmly together to seal roll. Slice each roll into 3-centimeter thick slices. Place face-down on baking sheet and bake about 15-20 minutes.

Note: To allow pastry swirls to rise more, don’t roll out pastry with rolling pin. Notes: If possible, use stiff paper cups, so muffins stand up better.

Cornbread can also be baked in large, round baking pan, about 20 centimeters in diameter; adjust baking time as needed until done. ❚ (Source: Family Features)

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R  O R

Foreigner Coming to Coronado April 6 O

ne of the most iconic classic rock bands of all times will perform at the Coronado Performing Arts Center April 6 at 8 p.m.

Founded in 1976, the band’s selftitled debut album “Foreigner” produced the hits “Feels Like The First Time,” “Cold As Ice” and “Long, Long Way From Home.” The album “Double Vision” followed, as did a string of hits like “Urgent,” “Juke Box Hero” and “Waiting For A Girl Like You.” Those songs helped give Foreigner’s next album, “4,” its impressive run at No. 1 on the Billboard chart. At the zenith of ’80s sound, Foreigner’s fifth album, “Agent Provocateur,” gave the world the No. 1 global hit, “I Want To Know What Love Is.” This musical milestone followed the record-breaking song “Waiting For A Girl Like You.”

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With 10 multi-platinum albums and 16 Top 30 hits, Foreigner is universally hailed as one of the most popular rock acts in the world, with a formidable musical arsenal that continues to propel soldout tours and album sales, now exceeding 75 million.

2017 marked the celebration of Foreigner’s 40th anniversary. It commenced with a European tour that included Foreigner performing orchestral versions of the hits with the 21st Century Symphony Orchestra in Lucerne, Switzerland. The Warner Music Group released a double CD set named “40,” which includes 40 songs recorded between 1977 and 2017.

The album features two tracks recorded especially for this release, “Give My Life For Love” and a new version of “I Don’t Want To Live Without You.” The album spent nine weeks in the Billboard

March 28 To advertise call 815-316-2300

Top 200 chart. The U.S. anniversary headline tour played 40 shows aross the nation, with the band supported by Cheap Trick and Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience.

Foreigner is one of the most viewed YouTube artists with anywhere between 700,000 and 900,000 weekly viewings of its songs, according to online music analytics company Next Big Sound.

On Sept. 13, 2017, Foreigner’s cat-

R  O R alog sales were celebrated in Business Insider magazine as hitting the Top 40 among the Best Selling Music Artists of All Time. The Beatles were No. 1, but Foreigner came in ahead of Britney Spears, Bob Dylan, Phil Collins, Prince, Queen, Bon Jovi and Def Leppard.

Foreigner’s leader and founder, Mick Jones, was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2013.

Jones produced/co-produced every Foreigner album, as well as Billy Joel’s “Storm Front” and Van Halen’s “5150” and has written songs with Ozzy Osbourne and Eric Clapton, with whom he wrote “Bad Love.”

The Foreigner catalog has sold more than 75 million albums.

Responsible for some of rock and roll’s most enduring anthems including “Juke Box Hero,” “Cold As Ice,” “Hot Blooded,” “Waiting For A Girl Like You,” “Feels Like The First Time,” “Urgent,” “Head Games,” “Say You Will, “Dirty White Boy,” “Long, Long Way

From Home” and the worldwide No. 1 hit, “I Want To Know What Love Is,” Foreigner continues to rock the charts with massive airplay and continued Billboard Top 200 album success.

Foreigner also features strongly in every category in Billboard’s Greatest of All Time listing. Catalog sales often eclipse those of Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, the Rolling Stones, the Who, Def Leppard, Van Halen, Aerosmith and most of its classic rock peers, according to Nielsen SoundScan week ending Aug. 3, 2017.

At Foreigner’s core is founder and Songwriters Hall of Fame member Mick Jones, whose stylistic songwriting, indelible guitar hooks and multi-layered talents continue to escalate Foreigner’s influence. He reformed the band after a 2002 hiatus and selected lead singer Kelly Hansen to help write an inspired new chapter in the history of Foreigner. Hansen is known for his innate ability to connect with the crowds. As a front man and

lead vocalist, Hansen is among the most respected professionals in rock and roll.

With a 35-year career that spans almost every area of music, Hansen has the unique ability to advance and excel when faced with new challenges.

Buy tickets at Ticketmaster.com or call (800) 745-3000. ❚

Foreigner’s Top 30 Hits I Want To Know What Love Is (1) Waiting For A Girl Like You (2) Double Vision (2) Hot Blooded (3) Urgent (4) Feels Like The First Time (4) I Don’t Want To Live Without You (5) Say You Will (6) Cold As Ice (6) That Was Yesterday (12) Dirty White Boy (12) Head Games (14) Blue Morning, Blue Day (15) Long, Long Way From Home (20) Juke Box Hero (26) Break It Up (26)

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Y H

New PSX Training Facility Opens at Peak

By Jermaine Pigee

I

gether. The workouts can be modified to match your ability and experience.

“Group training is a growing trend in the industry and it’s a way to make personal training more available and affordable for more people,” Peak founder and president Mark Banz says. “The fundamental aspect of group training has grown over the years and now, group training classes have their own dedicated space.”

A variety of equipment is used in each workout, such as free weights, power racks, turf sleds and plyometric boxes.

Workout classes take place Monday through Saturday and each class has a range of roughly eight to 14 people.

Working out in a small group not only improves accountability, it increases the intensity in each workout, Dal Pra says.

Although PSX is a good way to lose

f you want to get stronger, faster and healthier in 2018, PSX at Peak Sports Club is right up your alley.

The PSX training facility, which opened last year, provides space for high intensity group workouts, which are designed to increase lean muscle and burn body fat.

“You will get stronger, faster, more flexible and more conditioned if you do this workout at least three times a week,” says Nicholas Dal Pra, fitness director and trainer at Peak Fitness.

The 4,950-square-foot facility is attached to the north side of Peak Sports Club, 4401 Peak Drive, Loves Park.

Adjacent to the weight training room, it features a large, open space for trainers to lead small group workouts. It allows more people to benefit from personal training with equipment and has an open area for small and large groups to train to-

Healthy Hydrogen Water on Tap! Water Wellness Presentation a video/slideshow presentation

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weight, Dal Pra doesn’t emphasize it.

“We work hard in here but we never make it about weight loss,” Dal Pra says. “This type of exercise can help with weight loss by making yourself fit and more healthy by increasing your metabolic rate, which will help you burn more calories.”

In addition to the Loves Park location, Banz also runs Peak Fitness at 4304 E. State St., in Rockford, which he opened in 1998.

Learn more at PeakSportsClub.com. ❚

guest speaker

Steven Clarke

Three Time Options: NIU Rockford Conference Center

Certified Molecular 5800 E. State St – Rockford Hydrogen Advisor Nano-Hydration Specialist Thursday, April 5 ► 6:00 – 8:00 pm Water Wellness Coach Friday, April 6 ► 1:30 – 3:30 pm

Steven will present water wellness Emmanuel Episcopal Church in a unique and enjoyable way. Nation- 412 N. Church St – Rockford wide, many say they’ve learned more Saturday, April 7 ► 10:00 am – 12:00 about water in 1 hour than they knew in a lifetime. This new understanding “Hydrogen has therapeutic potential in of hydrogen and health is backed by over 170 disease models and in essenover 1,000 peer-reviewed scientific tially every organ of the human body.” research papers, most of them (Molecular Hydrogen Foundation) published since 2007!

Admission is FREE. Seating space is limited.

Please reserve your seat ONLINE today!

NIU: https://niu_healthywaterontap.eventbrite.com Emmanuel: https://ee_healthywaterontap.eventbrite.com

Or feel free to call 815-262-6437 for more details Sponsored by Ionized Water Plus, LLC

Hydrogen Water ● Learn it ● Use it ● Benefit from it !

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Y O

Cirque du Soleil ‘Corteo’ in Rockford

By Lindsey Gapen, managing editor “Corteo” off and on since the show preore than 8 million people have seen miered in Montreal in April 2005. For 10 “Corteo,” a Cirque du Soleil proyears, the show toured across the world duction that has toured the world. With in a big top, visiting 64 cities in 19 countalented acrobats, musicians, singers and tries. actors performing in unison, “Corteo” The big top tour ended in 2015, but makes it obvious that the human body is the cast wanted to continue performing. capable of extraordinary feats.

“We’re so excited to bring ‘Corteo’ From April 5-8, the Rockford region back to life again,” Shaub says. “When will have the opportunity to see the highthe big top shut down, we felt the show energy production directed by Daniele wasn’t over. It had more life. There are Finzi Pasca. Tickets are on sale at the more people to reach. We’re excited to BMO Harris Bank Center, 300 Elm St., go to Rockford and other communities so Rockford, for six peformances. more people can see ‘Corteo’.”

“I think what differentiates ‘Corteo’ The plot focuses on a central characfrom other shows is that we combine multer, a clown, who pictures his own funeral tiple artistic mediums,” says Mark Shaub, taking place in a carnival atmosphere. artistic director of the production. “ChoThe word ‘corteo’ is derived from reography, music, lighting, makeup – we the Italian word cortege, which means bring these elements together to make the procession. show stronger than its individual parts.”

“When the show starts, you see the Shaub did gymnastics for 15 years clown watching his own funeral procesbefore joining Cirque, and he’s been with

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sion, but at that time we don’t know if he’s really dead or not, maybe he’s just dreaming,” Shaub says. “But then, ‘Corteo’ looks at everyone he met in his life when he was in the circus. We meet a lot of characters and see scenes that just celebrate life. It’s a beautiful show.” ❚

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

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.

Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Tourism

Attractions & Events

A Visual Exploration of the Prairies March 28, 7-8:30 p.m. Beginner and seasoned naturalists are invited to disRockford, gorockford.com coverIL 61101 the 1.800.521.0849 hidden and often-missed beauty of our local prairies. Severson Dells Nature Center, Winnebago, Ill., (815) 335-2915, seversondells.com.

9/10/07 2:07:37 PM

Maple Sugaring March 31, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Learn how and why maple trees produce sap, which are the best to tap, how syrup is made and how science has modernized this ancient seasonal practice. Severson Dells Nature Center, Winnebago, Ill., (815) 335-2915, seversondells.com.

'Of Mice and Men' March 30-April 7, Fri.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sat. 2 p.m. The John Steinbeck classic about drifters George and his friend Lennie, a man-child and gentle giant.

Winneshiek Players Theatre, 28 W. Clark St., Freeport, (815) 232-7023, winneshiekplayers.org.

'Cipollino' March 30-31, Fri. 7 p.m., Sat. 1 & 7 p.m.

The fairytale by Gianni Todari comes to life in a ballet that tells the adventures of Cipollino, the Little Onion Boy. Rockford Dance Co., Hononegah Performing Arts Center, 307 Salem St., Rockton, Ill., (815) 963-3341, rockforddancecompany.org.

Botanica - A Gardener's Luncheon April 6, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Catered by Greenfire, the featured speaker is Lolly Tai of Temple University, an expert on the design of children’s gardens. Call (815) 965-8146. Seating is limited. Register online at klehm.org/botanica-luncheon.

Cirque du Soleil: Corteo April 5-8, Thurs.-Fri. 7:30 p.m., Sat. 3:30 & 7 p.m., Sun. 1 & 5 p.m. Performers include 51 acrobats, musicians, singers and actors from all around the world.

BMO Harris Bank Center, Rockford, thebmoharrisbankcenter.com.

Enjoy Cirque du Soleil "Corteo" April 5-8 at BMO Harris Bank Center.

Foreigner 40th Anniversary Tour April 6, 8 p.m. See cover story. Coronado PAC, (815) 968-0595, coronadopac.org.

RSO SoundBites with Joshua Brown April 6, noon. Enjoy an hour of conversation with Music Director Steven Larsen and violinist Joshua Brown, who performs April 7 at the Coronado. Free; RSVP recommended. RSO, Mauh-NahTee-See Country Club, (815) 965-0049, rockfordsymphony.com.

Holocaust Survivor Eva Kor April 10, 7 p.m. Kor has come through a life filled with trauma and speaks about the dangers of hate and the consequences of allowing prejudice to persist unchecked.

Rockford University, Fisher Memorial Chapel, 5050 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 226-4000, rockford.edu.

You Are a Leader April 11, 7:30-11 a.m. Sharon Swing leads a workshop designed to help you articulate your leadership intentions and carry them out. Rockford Network of Professional Women, Mauh-Nah-Tee-See Country Club, Rockford, (815) 977-7477, rockfordnetwork.org. ❚

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WDL

Fast-Casual Dining at Baci’s Kitchen

By Janine Pumilia

Y

ears before he opened it, owner Nikko Castrogiovanni mulled over the concept for Baci’s Kitchen in his mind. He envisioned a fast-casual atmosphere for breakfast, lunch and dinner that would become a neighborhood favorite because of its good food, reasonable prices and fast service all day long.

Baci’s Kitchen is located at 2990 N. Perryville Road, Rockford, inside A Perryville Place, between Olde Creek and Spring Creek roads.

Much of the operation runs through the back door, with delivery, carryout and catering service, but full table service is available as well.

“The Baci menu offers Italian and American cuisine, with many healthconscious and vegetarian options,” says Castrogiovanni.

For breakfast, classics like waffles and omelets are favorites, but so too are breakfast bowls such as quinoa, spin-

ach and hard-boiled eggs with avocado, tomato and feta cheese, served with toast, for the same price.

There’s also steel-cut oatmeal with fresh fruits and spices, or Greek yogurt with fresh berries, granola, bananas and honey.

“The breakfast pizzas are great to pick up and take into morning office gatherings,” says Castrogiovanni.

The lunch/dinner menu begins at 11 a.m. daily and includes sandwiches, paninis, wraps, specialty salads, pizzas, calzones and full-blown entrees like peppercorn-encrusted sirloin filet or lasagna.

Especially popular are Baci’s healthful signature protein bowls such as the Salmon Bowl, with blackened salmon filet, brown rice, sesame seeds, spinach, avocado, edamame and shredded carrots, for $14. Other protein bowls star chicken, seared tuna, steak, shrimp or vegetables with quinoa.

Top Picks for Local Restaurants 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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Entrees like stacked salmon feature a pan-seared salmon filet topped with sautéed radishes, carrots, tomatoes, orange slices, for $20.

Enjoy live music most Friday and Saturday nights; check the website to learn the lineup.

Baci’s opens every day at 8 a.m. It closes on Sundays at 8 p.m.; on Mon.Wed. at 9 p.m.; and Thurs.-Sat. at 10 p.m.

Find the complete menu at Baciskitchen. com. ❚

In the Spotlight 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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March 28

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Y M

Things to Know Before You Buy a Home

By Peggy Werner hen you’re thinking about buying that dream home, there are ways to prevent problems and make the experience more pleasant, says Matt Lynch, marketing director for MembersAlliance Credit Union, 2550 S. Alpine Road, Rockford. MembersAlliance is offering a home loan special from April 1 to June 30 with a reduced interest rate.

First, Know your credit score and credit history in advance. That way, if there’s any problem, you’ll have time to clean it up and get a loan at the best rate.

Long before you’re ready to buy, save for the down payment and closing costs. By paying 20 percent down, you can avoid a requirement to pay Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) each month.

Get pre-approved from a lender.

“This gives you a chance to look at your options, determine what you can afford and the right loan product to fit your needs, comparing such things as terms,

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rates, and closing costs,” says Lynch. “A pre-approval doesn’t necessarily have to be with the lender you choose, although it usually is. Either way, you’ll have more information about what you can afford.”

Know the expenses of homeownership and have a fund set aside for emergencies and repairs. A home is not just a mortgage. It’s also homeowner’s insurance, utility bills, property taxes, furniture, décor, maintenance and repairs, and other household expenses.

Use an experienced realtor, who knows about the area, understands your needs and what youre looking for in a home.

Have a home inspection done to make sure there are no underlying issues that could be costly to you. If there are, it’s better to know before you buy. Either have the owner make the repairs prior to purchasing or get a reduced price on the home.

Finally, spend less on a home than

you can afford. “Just because you can be approved for a $200,000 home doesn’t mean you should buy one,” says Lynch.

“Buying the most home you can doesn’t leave room for saving any extra for repairs, emergencies or life events like career changes or medical emergencies.”

If you’re looking for more information or want to speak with an experienced professional, go to membersalliance.org. or any MembersAlliance Credit Union location. MembersAlliance also has Rockford branch locations at 6951 Olde Creek Road, and inside the Wal-Mart Supercenters on West Riverside Blvd., Walton Street and Rockton Road in Rockton. ❚

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