Smart Living Weekly May 30, 2018

Smart L iving Weekly Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • Rockford Region/Beloit/Freeport 95¢ • May 30, 2018

™

Right in Our Region

‘Laughing Out Loud’ at German Valley Days

See Page 16

Prevent Neck Injury Dining at Capital House Save Money on Tech Honesty Matters

FREE WIN!

2 Tickets to Klehm’s Wood Song Music in the Garden 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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TICKETS ON SALE!

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

Original players from the All American Girls Professional Baseball League will be at the event signing autographs! Megan Cavanagh, most recognized as Marla Hooch from A League of Their Own, and Kim Ng, MLB’s Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations, will also be at the event visiting with guests and signing autographs. Vintage cars and trucks will set the scene, and ballpark fare will be served at the Tailgate Party outside the theater. This event will also be the launch site of the 2018 Women’s Baseball World Cup – the first time this has taken place in the United States!

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

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In This Issue

Right in Our Region ........................Cover & p. 16 45th German Valley Days -- ‘Lots of Laughter’ Inspiration & Worship ......................................12 Honesty Matters Your Health ............................................. .......... 23 Preventing Neck Injury Your Fun ................................................... ......... 25 Restaurant of the Week ................................... 26 Capital House Dining Locally .......................................... ........ 26 Your Tech .............................................. ............ 29 Are You Paying Too Much for Tech Services?

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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Laughing Out Loud

A

s surely as summer travel brings higher gas prices, warm weather brings festivals large and small. I’ve covered a “fair” number of them over the years and think they’re pretty amazing.

First, they’re a LOT of work to put on, yet volunteers rise to the occasion year after year, keeping the peace among chamber of commerce members, sanitation workers, church ladies, carnival barkers, stage moms, yodelers and lots of other characters. Perhaps we should recruit small-town festival organizers to negotiate with North Korea?

Second, it’s fun to see how much pride people feel for whatever their event promotes, whether it’s morel mushrooms, folk music, ethnic ancestry, corn, conservation, farming prowess or tasty high-cholesterol foods.

(The latter brings to mind the Beer, Bacon & Cheese Festival in New Glarus, Wis., which is already sold out, by the way.) There’s Byron’s (deep-fried) Turkey Testical Festival, where life just can’t be taken too seriously, and small-town events where yodling, chain-saw carving, hog-calling, hatchet throwing, woolspinning and the like reveal of our heritage and our quirky, fun-loving nature.

Third – and please don’t tell the young’uns – these events often are educational. Kids learn things like “What kind of house did Stephen Mack build?” at Old Settlers Days in Rockton or the fact that cheese comes from cows, not the Velveeta factory.

Those funny-looking shorts? Those are called ‘lederhosen.’

As a Loves Park kid, I grew up with the Young at Heart Festival.We just celebrated being young and having fun and we loved it.

As you read our cover story about the 45th year of German Valley Days, please appreciate the long list of fun things to do, play, eat and enjoy ... and keep in mind this population is just 500 souls large.

Our world is a pretty scary place. How wonderful we can take time out for “Laughing Out Loud” together.

Have a fun week! ❚ Janine Pumilia SLW Editor

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Y T

It’s ‘Not that Hard’ to Pay Less for Tech

By Peggy Werner

A

customer walks into EZ Satellite and Wireless, 6239 N. 2nd St. in Loves Park, and within a few minutes leaves happier than when he came in, after finding out how to pay less for internet, phone and television services.

During the customer’s visit, EZ Satellite and Wireless Owner and General Manager Charles Zambrano asks him questions about the number of televisions in his home, his favorite channels, whether he enjoys streaming and recording, how many phones he has and if he needs high-speed internet.

Zambrano’s goal is to help every customer save money.

“Most customers are paying too much, up to $250 for phone, television and internet. I can save them $50 to $100 per month. With every customer, I can offer them the best each company has to offer,” he says.

“A lot of people are not happy with

their tech services, but they’re afraid to change or don’t have time to do the research to find a better deal. It’s not that hard to get a better deal and start saving money,” he says.

Zambrano’s business has doubled since he moved it to the Loves Park location from Roscoe two years ago. Although he plans to open a second store in the future, a more immediate goal is to start selling, installing and servicing security cameras and surveillance systems within the next few months.

What sets his business apart from others, he says, is personal attention, good customer service and honesty.

“I make sure the customers know exactly what they are getting and that they are not paying for services they don’t want or need,” he says.

EZ Satellite &Wireless is an authorized dish network retailer licensed to offer services from any other provider using dish, cable, internet and home security, such as Rise Broadband, Comcast, Frontier, HughesNet, DirectTV, Digitenna and Protect America.

Learn more by calling EZ Satellite & Wireless at (815) 957-4335 or by visiting the office. ❚

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I  W

Honesty Matters H

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SATURDAY 9 - 5 | SUNDAY 9 - 4 100 VENDORS LIVE MUSIC LOTSA FOOD BEER TENT FREE PARKING SHUTTLE SERVICE

Presented by

$8 Admission (good both days)

Members and Children 12 and under are free!

Advance tickets available at Klehm, local garden centers, and florists.

$5

Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden PRESENTED BY See klehm.org/gardenfair2018 for complete list.

2715 S. Main St. | 815-965-8146 965 8146 | klehm.org

Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden

2715 S. Main St. | Rockford, IL | 61102 klehm.org | 815-965-8146

FROM YOUR CAR TO THE GATE...DON’T BE LATE! We’re Here to Get You There!

Give yourself a little extra time and park at Hononegah High School this year!

Union Street/Rockton Road to Rt. 2 Hwy. 251 & I90

June 14-17

i

Tickets & Badges

Rockton, IL

PARKING Hononegah H.S.

Salem

Bridge

Presented by Rockton Lions Club

Main Street

Information Booth

Entrance

OldSettlersDays.com

Handicapped Parking Hwy. 75 | Blackhawk Blvd.

onest people can be trusted to do the right thing, even when that thing means personal sacrifice. But liars rationalize selfish behaviors. They tell themselves it’s OK to tell ‘white lies’ or to lie on tax forms; they believe anything is justifiable in the pursuit of making money. And lying politicians have become such a common sight that we reward them with public office.

Big or little, a lie is a lie.

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” – Luke 16:10 (NIV) While “Be Honest” isn’t one of the 10 Commandments, it’s at the core of most. Stealing, bearing false witness and committing adultery, for example, all involve dishonesty … and God doesn’t like it. When we lie, we rob ourselves of true peace and other spiritual riches that come with “growing up in Christ.” (Ephesians 4:15) We also weaken the fabric of society, which depends upon basic honesty to function well. Dishonesty grieves the heart of a generous God who has lavished us with unconditional love and eternal life. And God is never fooled by the lies of men.

“Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, were listening to all these things and were scoffing at Him [Jesus].

And He said to them, ‘You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God.’” (Luke 16:14 & 15) Before the coming of Jesus, it would have been better for us to cut off our hands than to steal again. Today, in the Age of Grace, we have better options. We can choose to change our bad habits and grow up in Christ. As we do, something wonderful happens: We experience the secret thrill of pleasing God and walking in step with Him. We feel joy. And with each honest move, we extend the light of Christ further into a dark world.

The world seldom exalts people for being honest, but who cares? We do it because pleasing God is worth everything.

Yes, the world exalts cheaters.

Don’t let it get you down.

Jesus Christ has overcome the world.

(John 16:33). ❚

Entrance* Entrance

W

N

E

S

Hawick Street

Stateline Mass T Transit ransit District

* There are no tickets sales available at this location.

Main Stage

SMTD is there to help you get to the grounds AND back to your car. Rain or shine. Avoid the hassle and take the bus. IT’S FREE! Kids Area

Midway and Vendors

VIP

Preferred Ticketed Area

Preferred Ticketed Area

Sound Booth

Carnival Entrance & Tickets

Preferred Transportation Choice Serving Rockton, Roscoe & South Beloit www.SMTD.biz Carnival

Beer Ticketed Entry General Ticketed Area

First Aid

To advertise call 815-316-2300

Stateline Mass T Transit ransit District

Festival Stage

Rock River

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R  O R

German Valley Days: Big Fun in a Small Town

By Peggy Werner

“L

aughing Out Loud” is the theme of this year’s German Valley Days, June 8-10, when the small town celebrates in a big way.

Donna Smith, chairperson of the planning committee, explains “We’ve never had a comedian as the main entertainment on Saturday night, so we just wanted to build on that theme and try to have a few events centered on humor.”

She expects a lot of laughter to be generated when a panel of local celebrities match wits with volunteer contestants during “Match the Jury,” patterned after the 1970s TV show “The Match Game,” at 7 p.m. Friday.

A Toilet Seat Toss is a humorous twist on the game of horseshoes, giving contestants a chance to test their skill at landing a toilet seat around the handle of a toilet plunger, at 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

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Comedian David Ferrell, who for more than 20 years has entertained audiences with family-friendly stand-up comedy and impressions, will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

In its 45th year, the festival will once again feature vendors, concessions, meals, games, contests and musical entertainment, with most events taking place at Ben Miller Park on Church Street.

New this year is an opening ceremony with the raising of the state’s bicentennial flag at 6 p.m. Friday in the park. On Saturday, the surrounding landscape will take on a new life as a tactical mission center when the park’s ball diamond turns into a Laser Tag arena from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. The Spotted Dog Three Peace Rock and Roll show will make its festival debut at 2:30 p.m., performing songs made popular in the ’60s and ’70s.

May 30

To advertise call 815-316-2300

The fun begins at 5 p.m. Friday with concessions and vendors; pony rides by Huenefelds; rides by Jumping Bean Inflatables; games by Oak Ridge Ranch Amusements, Inc.; Panning for Gold; a dunk tank; and A Celebration Supper served by the Silver Creek Swift youth group. Little Miss and Mister German Valley, the Most Valuable Person Award and winners of “Bucket of Junk” will be named at 6:15 p.m.

On Saturday, a pancake breakfast

R  O R

with sausage, scrambled eggs, applesauce, orange juice, coffee or milk will be served by the Silver Creek ACTS Ministries from 6:30 to 10 a.m. at the fire station, 600 Church St. Register for the “Run the Valley” 5K and One-Mile-Fun Run from 7 to 7:45 and race at 8 a.m.

The German Valley Firefighters will be barbequing pork chops from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the fire station. The chops come with baked beans, applesauce, potato chips, a roll and beverage. Hot dog cost $3. Carryouts are available by calling (815) 362-2245.

Sunday’s only event will be the

“Festival of Praise” community worship service at 10 a.m. in the park.

German Valley Days is supported by most of the nearly 500 residents in the Stephenson County hamlet, mainly through the efforts of the Lions Club, the Village of German Valley, its businesses, organizations, churches and residents.

Bob Ebbesmeyer, co-chairman of the event and in charge of the parade, says people can still apply online to be in the parade, which will feature more than 60 entries, including floats, marching bands, dancers and more. The one-mile parade route begins at the grade school and will travel down Church Street.

German Valley’s history includes being the location of Pleasant Prairie Academy, which began as a school for German-speaking students wanting to go into the ministry. The building later housed the high school that was closed in 1958 and torn down. A local bank purchased the property and donated it back to the village for a park, named in honor

of Village President Ben Miller.

German Valley was settled by German immigrants from Ostfriesland in the 1840s and was originally called Baalton.

In 1857, the town consisted of a general store and two houses. When the Chicago Great Western Railroad made its way to the small town, a depot was established and the village was platted and given a new name.

While German Valley Days gives residents a chance to celebrate the history of their community, it also allows guests to experience its charm.

Ebbesmeyer says German Valley Days is the town’s biggest social event.

“It’s fascinating to see hundreds of people line up to see the parade, and they linger long after it is over because they are meeting new friends and talking with people they know,” he says.

Admission is free. For a full schedule and updates, go to germanvalleydays. com, to the Facebook page or call Smith at (815) 362-3671. ❚

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VINTAGE FINDS ARTISAN GOODS

$5 OFF F your total purchase present this ad at time of purchase

2410 JACKSON ST ROCKFORD, IL 61107 815.997.5943 INFO@TROVE-VINTAGE.COM

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Y H

How to Prevent a Painful Neck Injury

By Peggy Werner

H

ours of texting, desk work, reading and writing can put a strain on your neck and back, causing pain and changes in the spine that will force your head forward and lead to other problems, if not addressed, says Dr. Brittany McMullen, Chiropractic Physician with Chris Scott Wellness, 1752 Windsor Road, Suite 202.

“Almost everyone I see has a flat neck from looking down too much. What happens is you begin to lose the natural forward curve of the spine in your neck and so the body does things to compensate for the change, which leads to more posture issues, neck and back tension, and headaches,” she says.

To help alleviate pain and correct neck alignment, McMullen has started using the Posture Pump Disk Hydrator in her treatment regime.

A patient places his or her head and

neck in the device. Straps are strategically placed around the head for stability. A hand pump controls the air pressure in the pillow-like part of the device under the neck to lift and lower the spine and lubricate the joints.

McMullen says she has used the pump before and is happy to introduce it to patients at the Loves Park office.

Meanwhile, people can do a lot to help themselves by paying attention to good posture, looking forward instead of down when reading, taking breaks from

looking down and doing neck stretches and shoulder rolls.

Looking down much of the day puts a lot of strain on a small part of the anatomy. Studies have shown looking down at a cell phone for long periods of time is like putting a 60-pound weight on your neck.

McMullen says the pump also helps with symptoms caused by budging discs, such as pain, tightening, and tingling in the arms and hands.

“It’s very effective because we’re stretching the muscles and the ligaments and pushing the bones in the direction we want them to go, and it’s safe enough to use every day,” she says.

McMullen’s office hours are from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 6 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays and from 1 to 6 p.m.

Tuesdays and Thursdays. Reach her by calling (815) 977-3747. ❚

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Events 25th Klehm Garden Fair June 2 & 3, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday.

Buy plants, garden items & food from 100plus vendors. $8, free for children 12 and under. Learn more at Klehm.org.

‘Shrek the Musical’ June 6-9 & July 11-15, Wed.-Sun. 8 p.m. & Sun. 2 p.m. The DreamWorks hit animated film comes to life. Starlight Theatre, Rock Valley College, 3301 N. Mulford Road, (815) 921-2160, rockvalleycollege.edu.

‘Hair’ June 7-30, Thu.-Sat. 8 p.m. The radical musical of the ’60s tackles issues still relevant today. [Usual] Suspects, Nordlof Center, Rockford. Info: rockfordpubliclibrary.org RAM Midwestern Biennial Show June 9-Sept. 30, daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The 75th presentation of RAM’s biennial juried exhibition showcasing multimedia work by contemporary artists across the Midwest.

Y F RAM, Rockford, (815) 968-2787, rockfordartmuseum.org.

‘Jane Eyre’ June 13-16 & July 18-22, Wed.-Sun. 8 p.m. & Sun. 2 p.m. A musical adaptation of Charlotte Bronte’s famous story. Starlight Theatre, RVC, (815) 921-2160, rockvalleycollege.edu.

Klehm Woodsong: Josh Hoyer June 17, 6 p.m. Featured on “The Voice,” John Hoyer & Soul Colossal combine soul, funk and R&B for a high-energy show. Bring a picnic dinner and beverage to enjoy on the lawn of the Fountain Garden. Klehm Arboretum, 2715 S. Main St., Rockford, (815) 965-8146, klehm.org.

‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’ June 20-23 & July 25-29, Wed.-Sun. 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. This musical comedy features two sophisticated, suave swindlers who decide that the Riviera is not big enough for both of them; the first to extract $50,000 from a rich young heiress wins and the other must leave town. Starlight Theatre, RVC, Rockford, (815) 921-2160, rockvalleycollege.edu. ❚

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WDL

Capital House: The First of its Kind

By Jermaine Pigee, assistant managing editor

C

apital House, 308 W. State St., has received its liquor license and opened its martini and wine bar. It offers full-service lunch and dinner, a coffee bar, a casual sandwiches & salads menu plus pastries and breakfast sandwiches. It will soon offer a sushi bar as well.

Capital House is owned by Robin Young of KenDev LLC. She and partner Ted Brothers have long envisioned a hybrid restaurant, meaning multiple menus working together to please a wide variety of people visiting the establishment at various times of day and night.

To see it come to life is exciting, says Brothers.

“Breakfast, lunch and coffee are for people who work down here, mostly young professionals, or people who work in the courts or federal offices,” Brothers says. “Then, at night, we see urban dwellers and those who actually live around here.”

Rockford’s first hybrid restaurant is located in the space formerly occupied by Kryptonite bar. There’s coffee available all day and fine dining dinner entrées.

Among the seafood entree items at Capital House are Alaskan king salmon filet served with lobster risotto, seared diver scallops, Alaskan King Salmon with Lobster Risotto grilled amberjack and Norwegian shrimp pasta with squid ink restaurant like this,” Brothers says. capellini.

“When you go to a big city like Chicago, Appetizer selections include New York or Los Angeles, this is what Maryland crab cakes, crisp pork belly you see in their urban areas or financial and chilled shrimp cocktail. districts.”

The lunch menu offers sandwiches, Look for outdoor dining and live salads and soups such as New England music this summer. clam chowder.

Capital House is open Mon.-Fri. 7 “Rockford has never seen a hybrid a.m.-11 p.m. and Sat. 7 a.m.- 1 p.m. ❚

In the Spotlight

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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L

Taco Betty’s

ocated at 212 E. State St., next to the Rock River, this trendy, casual kitchen serves up innovative tacos with signature twists like pork and pineapple or crispy fish with roasted corn, dried chiles, cilantro, onion and avocado-lime mayo. The tacos come in pairs for lunch and threesomes for dinner. Recipes are subject to change with the seasons or whenever the chef feels like it.

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

Margaritas and other bar drinks are made with fresh juice squeezed daily.

The entrance to Taco Betty’s faces State Street and the restaurant has large west-facing windows that offer natural light and front-seat views of Rockford City Market on Fridays and the river.

Taco Betty’s opens daily at 11 a.m. The kitchen closes at 10 p.m. Sun.-Thurs. and at 11 p.m. Fri. and Sat. ❚

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2 Tickets to Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden’s

Music in the Garden on June 17

Enter Now At: www.northwestquarterly.com/contest Contest Giveaway may take 4-6 weeks to be processed.

For contest rules go to NWQSmartLiving.com

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May 30

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May 30

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All Thomasville On Sale!

Thomasville combines classic styling with clean, natural freshness and color to help families create truly livable rooms.

Hours: Mon 9am-8pm Tues-Sat 9am-5pm, Closed Sundays

www.bensonstone.com

1100 Eleventh Street (just south of Charles) • Rockford, Illinois 61104 • 815-227-2000

Visit our Cafe serving Breakfast and Lunch

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Smart Living Weekly

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