Smart Living Weekly - April 22, 2015

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Right in Our Region

Every Day is Earth Day at Goodwill

By Peggy Werner

E

arth Day, held each year on April 22, celebrates the many ways people choose to protect the earth and its resources. Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois believes every day is Earth Day, and an opportunity to reuse, recycle and repurpose, says Shannon Halverson, public relations and marketing manager.

To help people to carry out that mission, Goodwill opened Rockford’s first Donation Express drop-off site about six months ago, at 3065 N. Perryville Road. People can bring their donations here and get a receipt for a tax deduction. In addition, all 11 retail stores in the 18-county area accept donations.

Continued on p. 20

• Get All the SAVINGS You Deserve from Local Businesses

Inside: Focus on Eye Health • Choosing a Credit Card • The Awesome Avocado For Summer Road Trips, Go with Paper Maps • Restaurant of the Week: Sisters Thai Café

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March 11

B U L C S ’ R E Y A L P

R E Y A L P H C I WH ?

U O Y E R A W E N L L THE A

Ruby is the life of the party. Sassy, yet sophisticated. Her guilty pleasures: Glow Bingo, penny slots and ’80s rock shows. Learn more about our new player’s club, featuring five unique levels and the best gaming and amenities in the Midwest.

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Smart Living Weekly April 4

In This Issue

Right in Our Region ........................Cover & p. 20 Every Day is Earth Day at Goodwill Your Home .................................................. ..... 11 Revive Your Spring Lawn by Dethatching Inspiration & Worship ......................................12 Who Owns Earth?

Your Kitchen .....................................................15 Avocado Deviled Eggs Your Auto ..........................................................17 Maps Still the Go-To for Summer Travel Your Health ............................................. .......... 26 Focus on Eye Health Your Fun ................................................... ......... 27

Restaurant of the Week ................................... 29 Sisters Thai CafĂŠ Tips ........................................................... ......... 31 Choosing a Summer Camp Your Money .............................................. ......... 33 Tips for Selecting Your First Credit Card

Smart L iving Weekly ™

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes Executive Editor Janine Pumilia

Managing Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Associate Editor/Special Projects Editor Karla Nagy Senior Staff Writer/Promotions Coordinator Paul Anthony Arco Graphics Director Blake Nunes Graphic Designer Samantha Ryan Contributing Writers Rachel Shore, Peggy Werner General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes General Manager/Northwest Business Magazine Dave Marino Account Executive Brian Hughes Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes Website www.NWQSmartLiving.com Published by Hughes Media Corp.

728 N. Prospect St., Rockford, IL, 61107 (815) 316-2300, Fax: (815) 316-2301 lhughes@northwestquarterly.com Smart Living Weekly.

Copyright 2015 by Hughes Media Corp., 728 N. Prospect St., Rockford, IL, 61107. 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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April 22

Who Defends Earth?

W

hat a great season to celebrate our lifesustaining planet. Springtime never disappoints us.

Sadly, Earth can’t say the same about us.

We humans are pretty disappointing stewards of land, air, water and wildlife. As a Christian and as a pragmatist, I believe we should do everything possible to protect the health of our planet simply because it’s the right thing to do.

But here we are, bogged down by false political arguments designed to distract and divide us.

It was a U.S. senator from Wisconsin, Gaylord Nelson (D), who founded Earth Day in 1970 after witnessing the aftermath of an oil spill. Clearly “self regulation” wasn’t working.

He brought together groups of ordinary people concerned about industrial pollution, toxic dumps, harmful pesticides, loss of wilderness, wildlife extinction and so forth.

More than 20 million Americans rallied on Earth’s behalf and were heard by Republicans and Democrats alike. Congress passed the Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species acts and formed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to enforce them. Had there not been bi-partisan cooperation, cancer death and wildlife extinction rates would be even higher today. Yet these Acts are being eroded by corporate lobbyists and spindoctors this very minute. They can’t say “We want to pollute,” so they tell us “regulations are your enemy.”

Five years ago this week we celebrated Earth Day during the worst oil spill in American history. BP’s Deep Water Horizon explosion killed 11 men and spewed 4 billion barrels of oil for 3 months. Wildlife casualties were massive. Countless people were sickened and/ or lost their livelihoods. Thanks to the Clean Water Act, we taxpayers recovered some of our billions of dollars lost to clean-up. In 2014, BP was found guilty of gross negligence, Halliburton and Transocean of negligence.

Our kids will live – and die – by the decisions we make today.

We still need Earth Day because we still need Earth. ■ Janine Pumilia Executive Editor Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Weekly

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Y H  G

Dethatch, Aerate to Revive Lawns in Spring

I

n the spring, your lawn needs a little extra TLC, to get it off to a good, strong start. Something many lawns benefit from greatly is removing the thatch.

“That just kind of brings the yard back to life,” says Tim Kinney, of Lincoln Rent-All & Lawn Equipment Sales, 3110 Auburn St., Rockford.

Thatch consists of little bits and pieces of grass that die over time and gather just above the soil.

A little bit of thatch can be beneficial. It’s organic material that’s broken down by microbes in the soil. But when thatch builds up too fast for natural processes to break it down, it forms a barrier, keeping moisture and air from going where your grass needs it. A half-inch or more of thatch can weaken your lawn.

“Basically, you know it’s time to dethatch if you walk on your lawn and it feels like a sponge,” Kinney says. “Getting the wet, heavy stuff off of it lets it breathe a little better.”

You have two methods: dethatching and aerating.

Dethatching can be done manually with a thatching rake, which has curved, sharp tines, which cut through and loosen the debris and bring it to the surface. Then, gather the thatch with a leaf rake and dispose of it. If you have a large lawn, you may prefer to rent a power rake.

Another method for breaking up thatch is aerating a lawn,

which is especially useful for harder clay soils, or where the ground is compacted by foot or vehicle traffic. An aerator looks something like a rototiller, either as a self-contained machine or as an implement that pulls behind a lawn tractor. It’s rolled over the soil and extracts “plugs,” leaving small holes that allow water and nutrients to reach deep into the soil.

There’s no need to rake up the dirt plugs, Kinney adds. After a rain or two, they break down and are reabsorbed into the lawn. ❚

Get SLW Home & Garden articles every week. Visit NWQSmartLiving.com and start your e-Edition today.

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April 22

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I  W

Who Owns Earth?

S

ometimes we forget that none of us owns the earth or anything in it. We live here for a short time. God alone is Earth’s creator and “owner.” His creation exists to reflect His glory and to teach us about Him. Many, many scriptures remind us how wondrous God’s creation is and how much it pleases Him. Here are just a few (all from NIV).

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

– John 1:3 “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.” – Job 12:7-10 In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. – Psalm 95:4-5 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. – Romans 1:20

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We’re close to Woodman’s and Starbucks, so you can shop, then drop, or have a coffee and donate!

pen!

o nowDonATIon HoURS:

8am to 6pm Monday – Saturday 12pm to 5pm Sunday For more information, call: 815.965.3795 or visit: www.goodwillni.org

East Riverside Blvd

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Goodwill Northern Illinois’ new Donation Express makes it fast, easy and convenient for you to donate.

yville

Get SLW Inspiration & Worship articles every week. Visit NWQSmartLiving.com and start your e-Edition today.

CLOTHING • SHOES • HOUSEHOLD ITEMS • EvEn OLD cOMPUTERS!

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“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock.” – Ezekiel 34:2-3 ❚

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Woodman’s 3065 N. Perryville Rd. Suite # #113 Rockford, IL 61114 Olde Creek Rd

3065 n. perryville Rd., Suite #113, Rockford, IL 61114

April 22

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Y Y K K

The Avocado: Nutritional Powerhouse T

he avocado is often called an “alligator pear,” because of its shape and rough green skin. Its creamy texture and rich taste make it a common ingredient in many dishes, and not only guacamole.

Even better, it’s also loaded with these health benefits: • One serving (3.5 oz.) of avocado contains 20 different vitamins and minerals, including folate and Vitamins C, B5, B6, K and E. The avocado also helps to boost our bodies’ absorption of fat-soluble nutrients like Vitamins A, D, K and E. • Avocados are also very high in potassium. One serving contains 14 percent of the RDA, while a banana, known for its potassium content, has just 10 percent.

• Avocados are high in fat, but it’s the “good” monounsaturated fat, which helps to lower bad cholesterol (as long as you eat them in moderation). It’s packed with oleic acid, which has been linked to reduced inflammation and been shown to have beneficial effects on genes linked to cancer.

• One serving of avocado contains 7 grams of fiber, 27 percent of the RDA, and 25 percent of that is water soluble.

• Studies indicate that adding avocado to salads and salsa can increase our bodies’ antioxidant absorption.

• Not only that, but avocados themselves are very high in antioxidants, including lutein and which are very important for eye health and lower the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts.

California Avocado Deviled Eggs Ingredients 1 2 2 ¼ 4 ¼ ¼ ½

dozen large eggs, hard-cooked & peeled medium avocados, seeded & peeled Tb. minced onions cup mayonnaise or sour cream tsp. lime juice tsp. garlic powder tsp. ground red cayenne pepper tsp. salt fresh cilantro, for garnish, if desired

Directions Slice eggs in half lengthwise. Scoop out the yolks and place in a medium bowl. (Be careful not to damage the white halves). Add avocado to bowl, and mash yolks and avocado thoroughly with a fork until fairly smooth.

Add mayonnaise, lime juice, garlic powder, cayenne and salt. Stir well to blend all ingredients. Place filling in the whites using a small spoon or pipe in with a pastry bag and decorative tube.

Garnish as desired. Serve immediately or refrigerate in a tightly covered container.

From the Kitchen of: California Avocado Commission. Visit californiaavocado.com to find more avocado recipes and nutrition information.

Fine Oils, Vinegars, & Now Spices!

In addition, one serving of avocado has 160 calories, 2 grams of protein and 15 grams of healthy fats. Avocados have no cholesterol or sodium, and are low in saturated fat.

Avocados go with all sorts of foods.

They have a creamy, rich, fatty texture and blend well with various other ingredients.

Add avocado to put a new twist on an old favorite recipe like deviled eggs. ❚

6332 E. Riverside Blvd. Loves Park, IL

Source: California Avocado Commission

328 East State Street Rockford, IL

Get SLW Kitchen articles every week. Visit NWQSmartLiving.com and start your e-Edition today.

Hours: Mon–Fri 11-7p Sat 11-6p Sun 12-4p

815-904-6120 theoliveoilexperience.com

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April 22

Y A C

Fallible GPS Means Maps Still the Way to Go

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t’s the season of sunshine and road trips – and if you want to get the most out of your four-wheeled adventure, you had better pack a map to go along with that electronic GPS. “The best reason to keep paper maps in your vehicle, especially on long road trips, is because GPS isn’t always reliable,” says Cynthia Ochterbeck, editorial director of Michelin Travel Partner.

In a 2013 Harris Interactive survey of 2,200 U.S. drivers who use GPS, 63 percent say that it has led them astray at least once, sending them in the wrong direction or creating confusing and incorrect routes.

So, while it may seem that paper maps have been replaced by technology, they’re still just as important as ever, and offer benefits that don’t come with some GPS devices.

“One of the greatest characteristics of paper maps is that you get all of the details, [such as] points of interest,” says Ochterbeck. “Plus, you don’t risk getting lost when you lose the signal or the battery dies on your cell phone or GPS device.”

Another benefit is that, in addition to printed maps providing efficient ways of understanding road networks that surround particular areas, the information is very reliable. Plus, new specialized maps, like Michelin’s Zoom Maps, aim to enhance the paper map experience.

Most people recognize Michelin for its tires, but it also has a 112-year history of creating maps and travel guides. In fact, it provided the maps that were used by the Allies for the D-Day invasion. The new Zoom Maps offer seven regional maps for travel in the U.S., with the ability to zoom in on more detail in urban areas. In addition, the new maps have a “not-to-bemissed” event calendar for regions, in an easy-to-fold system so you don’t have to unfold the entire map.

“Technology is great, but a printed map is one of the most important tools a

traveler in an unfamiliar setting can have— the battery doesn’t die, it is easy to use, and it allows you to make decisions on route changes if necessary,” says Ochterbeck.

“Even better, there are no roaming or data charges to worry about.”

For more information, visit michelintravel.com. ❚

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Source: NewsUSA

April 22

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R  O R

Goodwill Continued from Cover

“In celebration of Earth Day, we’re encouraging people to clean out their closets and garages, and donate their unwanted and gently-used items to Goodwill, instead of sending them to area landfills,” Halverson says. “In 2014, Goodwill kept more than 11 million pounds of reusable items out of area landfills, through donations from the community.”

Rockford is the headquarters for Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois and is one of 165 Goodwill agencies under the auspices of Goodwill Industries.

International. Goodwill was recently named by Forbes Magazine as one of the top 10 largest charities in the country as well as one of America’s 20 most inspiring companies. In 2010, Goodwill was presented with the “Recycling Heroes Award” by the Illinois Recycling Association.

When people think of Goodwill, their thoughts mainly turn to the retail

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stores, where they can shop and donate items. However, the organization does much more to live up to its name.

This community-based, not-for-profit organization creates opportunities for individuals to better their lives. In 2014, Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois served 6,240 people, says Halverson.

When customers make a purchase at Goodwill, they’re supporting the many services designed to help the community.

The “Let’s Go to Work!” program gives participants with significant disabilities the opportunity to work in the retail stores, earning not just an income but valuable employment skills and training as well. The GoodGRADS program helps adults prepare for GED classes by providing fundamental educational services and giving them one-on-one training using the latest technology. Caseworkers help students to overcome problems associated with transportation, child care, housing, financial management and social services.

Goodwill also provides scholarships to help individuals to pay for their exams.

GoodSTEPS is a course in money management that teaches about budget-

April 22

ing, banking basics, credit reports, insurance, debt management, tax preparation, and basics for those looking to rent or buy a home. Several other programs help people to prepare for employment and find jobs. GoodTAXES offers free tax preparation by IRS certified tax preparers during tax season, for low income families and individuals.

“Our goal is to generate money to fund Goodwill’s programs from donated items that are sold in our stores,” says Halverson. “Eighty five percent of our revenues go directly to employment and training programs for people.”

R  O R Goodwill makes every attempt to get items in shape to sell. Items that can’t be sold in stores will be used in other ways: Clothing scraps are recycled into industrial cleaning cloths; other items are sold to salvage brokers.

New merchandise is processed, priced and put out on the floors daily, except for Sunday. Goodwill’s retail stores sell donated and gently-used products, as well as overstocks and closeouts from some of the best known stores in the state.

Goodwill stores in our region are located in Rockford, Machesney Park, Freeport, Sterling, DeKalb, Ottawa, McHenry, Huntley, Crystal Lake, Algonquin and Beloit, Wis. Combined, the stores employ about 500 people.

Goodwill accepts clothing and linens, shoes, boots, skates, slippers, computers and all computer equipment, cell phones, household items, dishes, glassware, kitchen utensils, large and small appliances, toys, games and sporting goods, bicycles, books, DVDs, videos, computer software, jewelry, purses, belts, all electronics, including VCRs, DVD and blue-ray players and stereos, cars, trucks, and boats.

Community members can help through their local clubs and organizations, by sponsoring a donation drive. Goodwill will set everything up, so all people need to do is bring in their donations.

Goodwill also has a corporate donation program, to encourage area businesses to be green. Not only can businesses host an employee donation drive, they can also donate unwanted items such as impaired products, overruns and returns, simply by calling to schedule a pick-up.

Goodwill will also pick up office furniture, IT equipment, file cabinets, phones and warehouse items.

In addition to low prices and serving a good cause, every store has additional discounts. Senior citizens save 15 percent on Wednesdays, Students save 10 percent on Saturdays, and the last Tuesday of every month is Goodwill’s 1-2-3 Sale, where all regularly priced clothing sells for $1.23 per piece, all day. Also, every Sunday through May 31, shoppers can save 10 to 30 percent during the ScratchOff Sunday Sale.

“One of the best ways people can be

South Shore Drill Team

environmentally responsible is to shop and donate at Goodwill,” Halverson says.

“We encourage everyone to go green not only on Earth Day, but every day.”

For more information on Goodwill’s many programs, call (815) 965-3795.

Those interested in setting up a donation drive can call (815) 987-6232. For more information about donations, including a list of items not accepted by Goodwill, go to goodwillni.org. ❚

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April 22

Y H

Focus on Eye Health: When to See the Eye Doctor Y

ou might notice yourself squinting at the menu in a restaurant or missing your exit on the highway because you couldn’t read the road sign. It’s natural for your eyesight to change over time, but more serious complications can develop. Take care now to preserve one of your most valuable senses – your sight.

“The eye is a delicate organ that detects light, shape, color and dimension,” explains Dr. Alan Rehbein, OD, a low vision specialist. When problems develop within the eye, your vision is affected. Eye complications and disorders come in different forms, the severity of which depends on the individual.

Rehbein gives an overview of some common eye problems:

• Floaters: Small specks that appear in your vision. They’re often considered a normal part of aging, but can be an indicator of a more serious issue.

• Dry eye: Occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears, leading to watering and burning.  Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A a retinal disorder that blurs the eye’s sharp central vision.  Cataracts Cloudy spots which appear in the eye’s lens. Surgery is often used to help to prevent vision loss.  Glaucoma: Develops from too much fluid Dr. Alan Rehbein pressure within the eye. When the pressure

hits the optic nerve, it can lead to blindness.

Many people don’t experience symptoms, so it’s important to visit your eye doctor regularly for screening.

A complete eye exam is recommended every one to two years.

Depending on your age and health history, an eye care professional may check your vision, perform a glaucoma screening and put special drops in your eyes to dilate the pupils and examine your eyes more closely. Consult an eye care professional immediately if you notice any changes in your eyes or vision, such as: blurry or double vision; seeing spots or flashes of light; trouble viewing objects near or far; inflamed or swollen eyelids; burning or watery eyes; difficulty adjusting to light or dark.

The Eye Center, a service of Beloit Health System, offers complete care for your eye health needs. For more tips on eye care or to schedule an appointment, call (608) 364-2204. ❚ Source: Beloit Health System

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Greater Tuna Two actors bring to life the entire town of Tuna, Texas (pop. 20), in this hilarious comedy, set in a radio station. Beloit Civic Theatre, Elizabeth Reinholz Theatre, Beloit Memorial High School, 1225 4th St., Beloit, Wis. (608) 3621595, beloitcivictheatre.org.

2nd Annual Arbor Dash April 24, 6:30 p.m. race start. Twilight noncompetitive fun run or walk through 155 acres of trees and gardens. Klehm Arboretum, 2715 S. Main St., Rockford, (815) 965-8146, klehm.org.

Janesville Little Theatre: I Hate Hamlet April 24-May 3, Fri-Sat 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. A popular young TV actor moves to an NYC apartment to take on a role he hates, Hamlet, and is haunted by its former tenant, John Barrymore as Hamlet. Janesville Performing Arts Center, Janesville, (608) 758-0297, janesvillepac.org.

Gardening with Ornamental Grasses April 25, 10-11 a.m. Master Gardener Michelle Cox on selection and care of grasses and unique pairings. Cost included with admission/members free. Klehm, Rockford, klehm.org.

Astronomy Day April 25, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free planetarium shows, star maps, glittery star crafts, a close-up look at the sun, more. Discovery Center, Rockford, discoverycentermuseum.org.

The Howlin’ Brothers, guest Kendra Swanson April 25, 7 p.m. Old-time blues/bluegrass and soulful indie folk from Swanson. $20 in advance Severson Dells Nature Center, 8786 Montague, Rockford, (815) 335-2915, seversondells.org.

RSO: The Planets April 25, 7:30 p.m. Steven Larsen, conductor; Ji, piano. Sir William Walton: Spitfire Prelude and Fugue; Ravel: Concerto for the Left Hand, Ji, piano; Holst: The Planets. CPAC, Rockford, rockfordsymphony.org.

The Gathering at Macktown, 1650-1850 April 25-26, 9 a.m.-4 pm Historical reenactment with traders, trappers, voyageurs and Native Americans. See demos, militia maneuvers and

(Hoo Haven photo)

Hoo Haven Live Animal Show April 24, 5 p.m. Local wildlife rehabilitators with several live animals to see and learn about.

Tickets available by phone or at the door. Beloit Memorial High School, 1225 4th St., Beloit, (608) 361-1377, weltycenter.org.

April 24 at Beloit Memorial High School, see and learn about birds, like Marshmallow the Pelican, pictured above, and other live animals rescued by the local wildlife rehabilitators at Hoo Haven.

skirmishes; tour buildings. Food, vendors, music, more. Rain or shine. Macktown Living History Center, 2221 Freeport Road, Rockton, (815) 6244200, macktownlivinghistory.com Unique Spaces Home Tour April 25-26, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Visit eight local homes with unique spaces and offering creative trends in home design. Get tips, ideas, solutions for home decorating. Benefits Junior League of Rockford. $25/$30 at door. (815) 399-4518, jlrockford.org.

1st Annual YMCA Heritage Run April 26, 1:30 p.m. Includes 10k (6.2 miles) and 2-mile races. Prize money to top 10k winners; top three awards in both in 15 age categories. $30 preregistration: rockfordymca.org/heritagerun. $35 race day. Free Kids Fun Run 12:30 p.m.

Free family activities. From OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center. Race start: Stewart Square, 308 W. State St., Rockford.

Avalon String Quartet April 26, 3 p.m. One of the country’s top string ensembles in its 4th concert season, “Brahms: Traditionalist & Innovator.” MPAC, Rockford, (815) 964-9713, mendelssohnpac.org.

Wildflower Walkabout April 28, 6 p.m. Hike with Jerry Paulson to see springs, old-growth forests and vast marshes, as he reveals history of Kilbuck Bluffs. Free. Kilbuck Bluffs Forest Preserve, 3061 South Bend Road, Rockford, (815) 335-2915, seversondells.org. ❚

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Restaurant of the Week

Sisters Thai Café B y To n i R o c h a

or diners who love an adventurous, authentic dining experience, quality food and excellent customer service, Sisters Thai Café, inside the Clock Tower Resort at 7801 E. State St., is the place to go.

Owner Chintana Sengchannavong emigrated from Laos with her family at age 5 and settled in the Rockford area when she was 16. The Guilford High grad says she’s always wanted to own a restaurant, following in the footsteps of her family, including two sisters who owned and operated Thai Kitchen at Harrison Street and Alpine Road for many years.

“All of the dishes are based on family recipes,” says Sengchannavong. “I’m training my staff to take over some of the cooking, but as executive chef, I prepare all of the sauces and major dishes.”

The result is a savory, authentic collection of Thai specialties. Spring rolls, chicken satay, crab Rangoon, crispy tofu and lettuce wraps are among enticing appetizers, along with soups such as Laos style chicken noodle or Mee Ped, an elegant duck noodle soup garnished with onion and cilantro.

Entrées include eight pad Thai and seven curry dishes. Signature entrées include Laos homemade pork sausage; Laos larb with

(Samantha Ryan photo)

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Sisters Thai Café owner Chintana Sengchannavong

sticky rice and soup; basil mussels; and tender, marinated roasted duck with ginger sauce. For dessert, choose a dish of green tea, mango or vanilla ice cream, fried banana a la mode or Thai custard.

Sengchannavong’s goal is to become Rockford’s best Thai restaurant. “We’re working hard to elevate our food and service, so that we’re known as the best Thai food choice in the region,” she says.

The restaurant offers dine-in, take-out, private party service and catering. Hours: Lunch 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Mon.-Sat.; dinner 5-9 p.m. Sun.-Thurs. and until 10 p.m. Fri.-Sat. ❚

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

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

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

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

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

Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint  Fine Dining. Ironworks Hotel, 500 Pleasant St., Beloit, Wis. (608) 313-0700. D Sun.Th 4:30-9pm, Fri-Sat. 10pm. $$.

Café Fromage  Casual/American. Regional foods. 431 E. Grand Ave., Beloit, (608) 312-2070. BrLD M-F 7am-6pm, SatNapoli Pizzeria III & Top Dollar Slots  Takeout/delivery.

Sun 8am-5pm. $.

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

Cannova’s Italian Cuisine  Casual. 1101 W. Empire St., Freeport, (815) 233-0032. D T-Th, Sun 5-9pm; F-Sat 10pm. Pearl Bistro  Casual. Brick oven pizza, burgers, sandwiches, appetizers, steak, seafood, signature cocktails. 6876 Spring $-$$.

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

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

Extensive wine list; daily specials. 6500 E. Riverside, Loves Prairie Street Brewhouse  Upscale-Casual/American. 200 Prairie St., Rockford, (815) 277-9427. LD Sun-W 11am-10pm, Park, (815) 654-9900. LD M-F 11am-9pm, Sat 5-9pm. $$.

Th to midnight, F-Sat to 2am. $-$$.

Costa’s Ristorante  Upscale-Casual. 133 Blackhawk Dr., BySisters Thai Café  Casual/Thai-Laotian. Authentic cuisine. ron, Ill., (815) 234-4707. Open daily 4pm. $-$$.

In Clock Tower Resort, 7801 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 229Dos Reales  Casual/Mexican. Authentic Mexican fare, 4545. L M-Sat 11am-2:30pm; D Sun-Th 5-9pm, Sat 10pm. $. lunch menu. 5855 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 227-4979. LD Tavern on Clark  Casual/American. 755 Clark Ave., RockSun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 10:30pm. $-$$. ford, (815) 708-7088. LD daily 10am. $-$$.

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

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

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

In the Spotlight Merrill & Houston's Steak Joint

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ocated at 500 Pleasant St., inside the Ironworks Hotel, the restaurant features mouth-watering steaks, along with a full-service menu of fish, chicken and and sea food selections.

Named after the men who's 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 historic 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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Choosing a Summer Camp

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occer camps, wilderness camps, chess camps – whatever interests your child, there’s a camp for it. But not all camps need to be licensed by a local or state government agency, nor do all seek certification through the American Camp Association. And there’s no standard set of regulations across the country, according to FindLaw.com.

“Because the commitment to quality and safety can vary dramatically from camp to camp, it’s really important for parents to do their homework to make sure they’re getting the best fit for their child and themselves,” says Adam Orlow, a personal injury attorney with The Orlow Firm in New York.

Get references. Ask the camp for names of two to three parents who live near you and contact them. Pursue online reviews too.

Check the camp’s hiring procedures.

Camps should readily share their protocol for staff criminal background checks and personal references. Does the camp train its staff on communication and discipline?

Visit the camp. Inspect the facilities and equipment, review safety policies and meet the staff. For example, if a camp offers canoeing, are life-vests stocked and well maintained?

Read the registration forms. Pay special attention to cancellation policies, disciplinary rules, and how staff handles cases of homesickness.

Ask questions. For example, how are medical emergencies handled?

Ask the camp about insurance. All camps should have insurance, and if you come across a camp that does not, you might want to consider other options.

Check the staff’s expertise. If a camp promotes itself as a source for your child to enhance his or her skills, carefully check the staff bios to make sure they have the proper training and background.

What are the policies toward visitors?

How does the camp monitor visitors such as vendors and support staff? What does the camp do to secure its property throughout the day and night?

To learn more about everyday legal matters, visit FindLaw.com.

Source: BrandPoint

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Four Tips for Choosing Your First Credit Card A lthough credit cards are not for everyone, they have some important benefits you should consider. First, responsible credit card use is a great way to start building a strong credit history.

A card with rewards enables you to make the most of everyday purchases by earning points on your expenses.

And for those who live life on the go, credit cards will help you to take advantage of emerging payment technologies with more secure and faster ways to pay.

Of course, these benefits of owning a credit card are quickly offset if you are unable to make on-time monthly payments. Navy Federal Credit Union, among other financial institutions, encourages its members to pay off their balance in full each statement period. If you feel confident about your ability to use a credit card responsibly and you are ready to begin your search, consider these tips: 1. Go with an issuer you trust.

“You should choose a financial institution you feel has your interests at heart,” says

Randy Hopper, vice president of credit cards at Navy Federal. “They should be willing to walk you through your questions over the phone or in-person, any time.”

2. Limited credit history? You still have choices. Look for a credit union or bank that will qualify you for a credit card not just based on your credit score, but based on their overall relationship with you. Some financial institutions offer what is called a secured card, created in large part for consumers who haven’t had the opportunity to develop credit history.

3. Find a straightforward offer. By reading the fine print of an offer carefully, you can determine whether the credit card offer is straightforward and excludes certain “gotchas.” Be mindful of the fees associated with the offer and whether your rate could potentially increase after an “introductory period.”

4. Find a product you like. “Do your homework and make sure you find a credit card with a low rate,” says Hopper.

“Although some great cards do carry an annual fee, try to find a credit card that requires only a low fee or no fee at all.”

Rewards are also a big part of this equation. Make sure your rewards program is both simple and easy to use.

Making a decision about your first credit card doesn’t have to be stressful.

You may discover that you enjoy taking charge of your finances and watching your credit score develop. ▐ Source: Brandpoint

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