Smart Living Weekly April 11, 2018

Smart a r t L iving art Weekly Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • Rockford Region/Beloit 95¢ • April 11, 2018

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Right in Our Region

4 Heart Mistakes Even Smart People Make

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Know Your Money Basics Let’s Gear Up to Garden!

You Can Teach an Adult to Read How to Foil Cyber Criminals

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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 Caring for Your Heart Your Home & Garden . . . . .............................. ..... 11 Gear Up for Garden Time Inspiration & Worship ......................................12 Trusting God with Reality Your Kitchen .....................................................15 Eat Better to Sleep Better Your Community ...............................................19 Teach an Adult to Read Your Technology .................................... .......... 21 Tips for Avoiding Cyber Attacks Your Health ............................................. .......... 23 Ease Pain with Myofascial Release Your Fun ................................................... ......... 25

Restaurant of the Week ................................... 26 Taco Betty’s Dining Locally .......................................... ........ 26 Your Money .............................................. ......... 29 Money Management: A Skill Worth Having

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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Thanks, RAVE W

hen they were announced earlier this year, I almost passed on buying tickets to Foreigner and Cirque du Soleil’s “Corteo,” reasoning that April weather would be beautiful and we’d want to be outdoors.

Boy am I glad I changed my mind! Both shows were fantastic and it’s snowing as I write.

On Friday night, the Coronado was packed for Foreigner – I didn’t see an empty seat – and the audience was having an absolute blast. At 40 years old, Foreigner played one major rock hit after another that took us back to days of first loves and that magical feeling that life was an adventure just beginning. Fans were singing along, dancing in the aisles and crowding the stage apron, just like old times.

In a very different experience, on Sunday we enjoyed Cirque du Soleil (French for Sun Circus) at the BMO Harris Bank Center.

Gorgeously costumed acrobats and other performers combined artistry and breathtaking athleticism, transporting us to a magical, colorful place and waking our imaginations on a cold, gray day.

Every superb performance stirs my gratitude for local folks who’ve stuck their necks out, over the decades, to make sure we have high quality venues capable of attracting high quality acts. The Coronado could have remained a rundown relic – or worse, been demolished, as so many of its 1920s-era counterparts were. Instead, local citizens recognized a treasure and restored it, through no small effort. I’ve never been to a show at Coronado in which guest performers didn’t comment on how special our theater is; Foreigner lead singer Kelly Hanson was no exception.

Likewise, the BMO, with its amazing versatility, makes it easy to attend events that spice up our lives and give us a reason to get out with loved ones – without the need to drive to Chicago or Milwaukee.

Kudos to the Rockford Area Venues & Entertainment Authority (RAVE) and all citizens who’ve worked hard to make Rockford a truly interesting place to live. Have a great week! ❚ Janine Pumilia SLW Editor

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Y H  G

Gear Up for Warm Weather Beauty

By Peggy Werner

O

nce the danger of frost has passed in May, colorful flowering plants will begin appearing on front porches and in pots around homes and yards.

Such beauty will quickly wither, however, if thought isn’t given to properly placing and caring for the plants, says Jamie Swanson, owner of S & H Nursery, 5956 McCurry Road in Roscoe.

When selecting plants, carefully read labels to make sure your location and plant make a good match. Some plants like full or partial sun, others prefer shade.

Likewise, if you enjoy attracting wildlife, select plants accordingly.

“Some flowers, like lantana, an annual with multi-colored blooms and sweet aroma, are a huge draw for hummingbirds and butterflies,” says Swanson. Colorful Wave petunias also attract

birds and butterflies and are one of the most popular flowers used in sunny locations because of the fullness and variety of colors they offer.

“In order to keep those hanging baskets as beautiful as when you purchased them, you need to check them daily to see if they need to be watered,” Swanson says. “The object of watering is to find that ‘happy medium,’ neither too wet nor too dry.” In hot, dry and windy conditions, extra watering may be needed and plants should be checked more often.

Most flowering plants need to be fertilized and deadheaded weekly to look their best. Deadheading means snipping off the withered bloom at the first notch in the stem, whether close to the bloom or inches away. This signals the plant to send nutrients to new blooms, Swanson explains.

Potted arrangements look more interesting if they contain a variety of color, texture and fullness. Spikes and other upward-growing plants give height, while big-leafed or colorful foliage plants such as coleus provide fullness. Trailing vines and flowers like creeping Jenny and lobelia add dimension.

Begonia, fuchsia, million bells (calibrachoa) and many varieties of geranium are also popular for pots and baskets.

It’s too early to put flowers outdoors right now, but never too early to plan! ❚

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I  W

Trusting God with Reality I

n the middle of our Bibles is a collection of 150 psalms that offer a jarring roller coaster ride of human emotion directed toward God. Several authors wrote the psalms over a period of about 1,000 years; King David penned roughly half of them.

While we gravitate toward the psalms that reassure us (like the 23rd), many were composed during times of deep disappointment with God. Feelings of abandonment, anger and frustration are laid bare.

If we’re honest, all of us have been disappointed with God. Most of us have experienced or witnessed hardship, oppression, sickness, injustice, unanswered prayers. We may feel that our acknowledgement of reality conflicts with our faith life.

This is when the emotional poetry of the psalmists shows us what a healthy relationship with God looks like, suggests author Philip Yancey. We’re like third parties “peering over the shoulders” of these diary-writers. We witness their rants, but we also see them “talk themselves down from the ledge” as they journey from rage to a calm acknowledgement of what they know for sure about God: He is good, wise, powerful, loving.

The psalmists force themselves to recall the times God rescued ungrateful Israel from its self-inflicted messes and it helps them to regain perspective. Without God they would be nothing, have nothing.

The psalmists find God in the starry skies and fertile earth. Their rants turn to flights of praise – in spite of everything.

In “The Bible Jesus Read,” Yancey writes: “The odd mixture of psalms of cursing, psalms of praise and psalms of confession no longer jars me as it once did.

Instead, I am continually amazed by the spiritual wholeness of the Hebrew poets, who sought to include God in every area of life by bringing to God every emotion experienced in daily activity. One need not ‘dress up’ or ‘put on a face’ to meet God. There are no walled-off areas; God can be trusted with reality.”

To experience Psalms is to feel kinship with people through the ages whose struggles were not so different from our own. ❚ – Janine Pumilia

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Eat Well to Sleep Well W

ith nearly one-third of Americans suffering from sleep disturbances (according to research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), it may be time to rethink your bedtime routine and consider more natural ways to get a good night’s rest.

Experts suggest the following tips: Set a comfortable temperature. The National Sleep Foundation recommends a bedroom temperature between 60-67 degrees F. Try bedtime yoga. Rather than scrolling on your smartphone or staring at the TV, consider a different routine before heading to bed. Implementing a brief yoga session is one way to clear your mind each night prior to getting quality shut-eye.

Tweak your diet. Making simple changes to what you eat and drink can help. For example, Montmorency tart cherries, which are available year-round,

are one of the few natural food sources of melatonin, a sleep-regulating hormone.

New research from the American Journal of Therapeutics shows that insomniacs who drank U.S.-grown Montmorency tart cherry juice for two weeks extended sleep time by 84 minutes.

Consuming two 8-oz. glasses of Montmorency tart cherry juice as part of your daily diet, once in the morning and once at night, can help enhance your sleep time and efficiency. It can also be added to your favorite morning smoothie or serve as a soothing nighttime beverage, such as this Tart Cherry Moon Milk. For additional information and recipes, visit ChooseCherries.com.

Tart Cherry Moon Milk

Recipe by Amanda Paa of Heartbeet Kitchen; Servings: 1-2 6 oz. almond milk 4 oz. Montmorency tart cherry juice

Y K

1 TB honey or maple syrup 1/2 tsp. ashwaganda (Indian ginseng) dried culinary rose petals (optional) In small pot, heat almond milk and tart cherry juice over medium heat.

Remove from heat and whisk in honey and ashwaganda. Top with rose petals and drink warm.

Note: For a more frothy beverage, blend mixture in blender before topping with rose petals. ❚ Source: Family Features

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R  O R

4 Mistakes Even Smart Heart Patients Make

By Lindsey Gapen, managing editor

W

hen it comes to your heart, staying healthy doesn’t need to be complicated. The key is to maintain a disciplined life, says Dr. Sangita Deveshwar, noninvasive cardiologist at Mercyhealth Hospital-Rockton Avenue.

“It’s gratifying for me to treat heart disease because it’s very reversible,” she says. “Whether it’s taking medications, exercising regularly or eating healthfully, a patient’s heart health can improve by just being compliant.”

Still, even the healthiest patients can find ways to adjust their lifestyle for better outcomes. Here are four heart health mistakes that even smart patients make.

1. Yo-yo Dieting It’s unhealthy to fluctuate between losing and gaining weight. Avoid drastic nutrition plans that involve starvation.

“What happens is you start to burn your fat, and it changes into sugar, which

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actually leads to diabetes,” Deveshwar says. “You need some carbohydrates and fat in your diet for energy. Polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats are best; they don’t increase blood cholesterol levels.”

Eating healthy during the week and binge eating on weekends also is an unhealthy way to diet.

“This actually increases your cholesterol levels and blood sugar levels,” Deveshwar says. “The result is inflammation in the body and decreased antioxidants, which can lead to plaque buildup and atherosclerosis.”

Instead, Deveshwar recommends the Mediterranean diet to lose weight. This plan emphasizes plant-based foods, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts.

“Really, it’s everything in moderation,” Deveshwar says. “That way, you don’t feel deprived, and you don’t crave things that aren’t good for you. Be sure

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to include carbohydrates, protein, a little bit of fat, vegetables and lentils. A little bit of everything is better than depriving yourself.”

2. Not Getting Enough Sleep Sleep is also important for a healthy heart. A lack of it causes your body’s stress hormone, cortisol, to increase.

“High cortisol levels lead to obesity,” Deveshwar says. “This eventually leads to high blood pressure, which affects the walls of the arteries and makes them stiffer. It’s a precursor for plaque buildup.”

Adults need 7-8 hours of sleep per night. Deveshwar says it’s critical to develop a regular sleep schedule and wake up at the same time every morning.

“Try to fall asleep at the same time each night, but even if you haven’t slept, get up at your normal time,” she says.

“Oversleeping messes up your whole schedule. Regularity is very important.”

R  O R A regular exercise regimen also contributes to a healthy sleep schedule.

“That makes you tired so you can go to bed at a good time,” she says. “Also, it’s helpful to avoid drinking too much caffeine or overloading on social media at night. Patients of all ages, even those in their twenties, should start developing these healthier habits.”

3. Ignoring Stress There are two kinds of heart attacks, Deveshwar says. One occurs when plaque builds up and ruptures due to high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, hypertension and other risk factors. But sometimes there isn’t a plaque rupture; the heart attack is caused by a hormonal imbalance due to high stress levels.

“A high level of cortisol means your heart has to work harder,” Deveshwar says. “There are conditions where I see stress-induced heart attacks, where even though there’s no plaque rupture, the heart is so stressed out from cortisol changes that it develops what’s called takotsubo cardiomyopathy, where the

heart is suddenly weakened. It’s all related to stress.”

Deveshwar’s younger patients oftentimes experience work-related stress, especially those who work night shifts.

Late-night eating and an irregular sleep schedule are typically involved.

“This is a tough one because oftentimes people can’t change their job to the daytime,” Deveshwar says. “But, incorporating an exercising program during the day can help. It’ll decrease stress and increase endorphins. Also, healthy eating habits are important. Cook healthy meals at home so you’re not eating junk food at night.”

With her older patients, stress is commonly linked to anxiety.

“My older patients are worried about their children and grandchildren, and for them it’s more about getting social support,” Deveshwar says. “Oftentimes, there’s also stress involved with taking medications correctly. Maybe the patient needs to be in an assisted living facility, or regularly follow up with a pharmacist.

Having people around for assistance can

help to decrease stress.”

4. Relying Too Much on Statins Statins are a class of drugs that lower the level of cholesterol in the blood.

“This makes plaque stable and gives it a fibrous cap, so that it doesn’t rupture,” Deveshwar says. “Statins increase patient longevity where heart attacks and strokes are concerned.”

But patients on statin medication still need to maintain healthy habits. It’s not a miracle drug.

“Patients sometimes see statins as an excuse to not exercise or to eat all the ice cream and fries they want,” Deveshwar says. “But, if you eat poorly and refuse to exercise, you’ll still develop new plaque.

The risk factors will eventually add up.”

That’s why it’s important to modify your lifestyle and eliminate risk factors whenever possible.

“The fewer risk factors that people have, the less likely they are to build up plaque earlier in life. Again, a disciplined life is the key.” ❚

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Y C

Make a Difference: Teach an Adult to Read

By Peggy Werner

I

f you truly want to make a difference, consider helping an adult to discover the joy of reading.

Most people take for granted being able to read street signs, grocery store ads, instructions on a medicine bottle, the latest news or being able to fill out a job application. But for those who have limited reading skills, all they see are roadblocks to better living.

Some English-speaking adults have limited reading skills because they had interruptions at a time when they should have been learning to read, whether caused by illness, relocation, problems at home or just not being able to learn in the style that was taught, says Debbie Lindley, program director for The Literacy Council, 982 N. Main St. And, some people are in the process of learning English as a second language.

“By the time some people are adults, they’ve gone through a lot in life and

suffered greatly. Because they lack reading skills from having missed out on so much, the result may be low self esteem and low self confidence,” she says.

Volunteers who are willing to help one or more of the 50 individuals waiting to be paired with a tutor can attend one of several workshops scheduled in Rockford, Belvidere and Loves Park to learn how to work with adults who are learning to read. The Literacy Council asks volunteers to commit a minimum of two hours a week for a year per student. Volunteers don’t have to have teaching experience, but need to be at least 18 years old, have a GED or a high school diploma and complete training that meets twice weekly for three weeks.

There are numerous Tutor Training

Workshops for volunteers at Ida Public Library, 320 N. State St. in Belvidere; North Suburban Library District (NSLD), 6340 N. 2nd St., Loves Park; and at The Literacy Council, 982 N. Main St. The workshop schedule and a registration form can be downloaded at theliteracycouncil.org or call (815) 963-7323 for more information. ❚

Literacy Can Make All the Difference It Starts With You!

STUDENT.

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Be a Empower Someone.

Volunteer Today!

Visit: www.theliteracycouncil.org E-mail: Read@theliteracycouncil.org Call: 815-963-7323

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Y T

Ways to Avoid Cyber Criminal Attacks

By Peggy Werner

B

eware of warnings on your devices.

If you get a pop-up message or a screen saying there’s a problem with your computer and that you need to call a number to fix the problem, don’t call it. No reputable company will ever announce to you there’s a problem with your computer, says PrimeTime Audio/ Video General Manager Dirk Dutton.

“Microsoft will never call you or give you a warning asking you to call a phone number,” he says. “If you see such a message, it’s coming from cyber criminals using ransom ware, which is software designed to block access to your computer until a sum of money is paid.”

When money is paid, the hackers put an icon on your computer that allows them to access all of your information, including the webcam.

Another common way hackers try to get information is through fake emails.

When you see an email from the name of someone you know, but it looks suspicious, don’t open it. Instead, click on the details and see if it’s actually from that person or another email address. If it’s not from the person you know, delete it and report it to the Federal Trade Commission at spam@uce.gov.

“The world of hacking is the fastest growing industry in the world, and it’s no longer only about getting your credit card information. What they want is to make money off of you and it’s only a click away,” says Dutton.

“In general, always be aware and never give out information or agree to pay money to ‘fix’ a problem. If you have a problem with your computer, you’ll be the first to know. If it happens, make a call to your computer specialist to have

the problem diagnosed and fixed.”

Changing your username and password often is a good idea, especially if you’re using a default username and password on rented equipment. Also, update software and operating systems when updates are available.

“It’s amazing how many people are unaware of these safeguards,” he says. ❚

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Y H

Relieve Pain Through Myofascial Release W

By Peggy Werner hen in pain, people think of taking medication, going to the doctor for a diagnosis or accepting it as part of the aging process, unaware they may be able to feel better through myofascial release, says Chris Scott of Chris Scott Wellness, 1752 Windsor Road, Suite 202 in Loves Park.

“Myofascial Release is an effective hands-on therapy which can change and improve the health of fascia and people often get relief with just one treatment,” he says.

Fascia, or connective tissue, is like a spider web that covers every bone, organ and muscle in the human body and gives the body support and shape. When damaged by injury or traumatized by surgery at a muscular level, fascia can lose its pliability and knot up, causing tightness, pain and immobility. The longer the pain and limited range of motion has been

present, the longer it will take to resolve the problem.

Those muscle knots can be released with slow, deep pressure to restore health to the fascia and give immediate relief, Scott says.

Prescribed range of motion and stretching exercises between treatments will help keep the affected area from tightening up again.

“More than 80 percent of aches and pains in life are muscular and when one part of the body is in pain, the rest of the body will compensate to make up for what needs correction,” Scott explains. “As a result, posture can be affected and one problem leads to another.

When a person feels better, they walk and stand straighter.”

In business for more than 25 years,

and at his current location since 2014, Chris Scott Wellness specializes in pain management, using medical massage and myofascial release therapies.

For more information or to make an appointment, call the clinic at (815) 9773747. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and by appointment on Saturdays. ❚

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April 11

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

'1984' Through April 15, Fri.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. George Orwell depicts the horrors of man’s fate in a society where Rockford, IL 61101 1.800.521.0849 gorockford.com Big Brother is always watching. Janesville Performing Arts Center (JPAC), 408 S. Main St., Janesville, (608) 758-0297, janesvillepac.org.

9/10/07 2:07:37 PM

NIU’s Steelband April 13, 7:30 p.m. This 35-member group, primarily comprised of steelpan and percussion majors, has performed throughout the world. MPAC, Rockford, (815) 964-9713, mendelssohnpac.org.

Three Dog Night April 13, 8 p.m. Celebrate nearly five decades of great music with these icons whose hits include “One” and “Eli’s Coming.” Coronado PAC, Rockford, (815) 968-0595, coronadopac.org.

'Sugar' April 12-22, Thu.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Two unemployed musicians witness the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre in Chi¬cago and escape the gangsters by don¬ning drag and joining an allfemale band headed to Miami. Romantic com¬plications ensue and total chaos finally erupts. Based on the 1959 movie “Some Like It Hot.” Stage Coach Players Theatre, 126 S. 5th St., DeKalb, Ill., (815) 758-1940, stagecoachers.com.

Spring ArtScene April 13-14, Fri. 5-9 p.m., Sat. 4-9 p.m.

New exhibits of original works throughout Rockford. See website for locations.

Info: Rockford Area Arts Council, (815) 963-6765, springartscene.com.

Archaeological Encounters with Himalayan Vampires April 17, 7:30 p.m. Prof. Aldenderfer of the University of California Merced shares tales from the High Himalayas.

AIA Lecture Series, Burpee Museum of Natural History, Rockford, (815) 9653433, burpee.org.

Three one-act plays feature the Lincolns in "Lincoln in Conversation" April 19 in Freeport.

'Kenny & Dolly Together Again' April 17-20, see website for times. This tribute act offers the songs, playfulness, charm and magic of Rogers and Parton.

White Pines Inn, 6712 W. Pines Road, Mt. Morris, Ill., whitepinesinn.com.

'Lincoln in Conversation' April 19, 7 p.m. In three one-act plays, presidents Abraham Lincoln and Franklin D. Roosevelt debate; Mrs. Lincoln and Mrs. Kennedy meet at an exhibit; and Lincoln and Stephen Douglas revisit their debates. Winneshiek Players Theatre, 28 W. Clark St., Freeport, (815) 232-7023, winneshiekplayers.org.

'Candide' April 19-22, Thu.-Sat 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. In honor of the 100th birthday of the late Leonard Bernstein, Rockford University and the Rockford Symphony Orchestra partner to present the comic tale of a young man’s journey from idealism to wisdom. Maddox Theatre, Rockford University, 5050 E. State St., (815) 2264100, rockford.edu.

RAMI Awards April 20, 7 p.m. Celebrate 27 years of the Rockford Area Music Industry (RAMI) awards. Listen to local musicians and vote for the winners while supporting music scholarships and music education programs. Tebala Event Center, 7910 Newburg Road, Rockford, ramiawards. com. ❚

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WDL

Taco Betty’s Offers Tasty, Trendy Fare

By Jermaine Pigee

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ocated at 212 E. State St., this trendy, casual downtown Rockford restaurant takes its name from the nickname that investor Brent Hughes uses for his wife, Betsy Branca. Hughes and coinvestor John Bross came up with the concept for Taco Betty’s in 2014. Chef Paul Sletten is president of the company and handles daily operations.

The entrance to Taco Betty’s faces State Street near the Rock River and the restaurant has an open design and large windows that bring in loads of natural light. Diners have a front-seat view of Rockford City Market in summertime and downtown Rockford year-round.

The goal of this restaurant is to serve tasty food, not necessarily authentic Mexican fare, says manager Dann Shallenberger.

“A lot of people say this is not an authentic Mexican restaurant, but we never tried to be that,” Shallenberger

says. “We just want to make fun, unique tacos.”

Among signature offerings are pork and pineapple tacos made with chilebrined pork, roasted pineapple, cilantro and onion and crispy fish tacos with roasted corn, dried chiles, cheese, avocado lime mayo, cilantro and onion.

Tacos come in pairs for lunch and threesomes for dinner. They’re served with smoked black beans and rice, house pickles and salsa. Additional flavor combinations come and go throughout the year.

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

The kitchen inside Taco Betty’s is exposed, so your food is made right in front of you. Executive Chef Quinn Lawyer oversees what happens in the kitchen.

The restaurant continues to evolve,

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. $$

Smart Living Weekly

April 11

with more made-from-scratch items being added over time.

“Pretty much everything we serve is made in-house,” says Shallenberger.

The restaurant opens daily at 11 a.m.

The kitchen is open Sun.-Thurs. until 10 p.m. and until midnight on Fri.-Sat. ❚

In the Spotlight

Top Picks for Local Restaurants

26

Dann Shallenberger mixes margaritas from juice squeezed fresh daily.

To advertise call 815-316-2300

Merrill & Houston's Steak Joint

L

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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April 11

27

e-Subscribe to Smart Living Weekly Now! You Will Be Automatically Entered into This Week’s Giveaway!

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Enter This Week’s Giveaway, and Receive Smart Living Every Week For FREE! E-Subscribers: Click Here Now to Enter This Week’s Giveaway.

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April 11

For contest rules go to NWQSmartLiving.com

To advertise call 815-316-2300

Y M

Managing Money: A Skill Worth Learning

By Peggy Werner

R

egardless of how much or how little money you have, learning to manage and budget it is a skill worth learning and something too few people do effectively.

It will reduce stress and increase your sense of control and quality of life.

Matt Lynch, marketing director for MembersAllliance Credit Union, 2550 S. Alpine Road, Rockford, recommends people start learning to budget by writing down all their expenses in one month, without making any changes in lifestyle.

Once you know where your money is going, you can start identifying how to cut costs. Don’t make a lot of big changes all at once, causing yourself to feel deprived and frustrated, or you’re likely to give up.

“When setting your budget and determining what you can afford to set aside for savings, you are more likely to be successful if you start small and then gradu-

ally increase the amount put aside as you find more ways to cut expenses and learn to enjoy saving,” he says.

And it’s never too late to learn. “A lot of people have trouble with budgeting. They’re good at paying their bills on time, but don’t know where the rest of the money goes. When it comes to good money management, pay yourself first.

The sooner a person starts setting aside money for savings, the sooner he or she will have a positive relationship with money. Getting in the habit of setting aside money and not touching it is how

you successfully build a savings account or a nest egg. For those who struggle with budgeting, there are software programs and mobile apps that help people form good habits.”

MembersAlliance offers a variety of financial education classes throughout the year, coordinating with schools for teenager classes and with businesses and organizations for adult classes. It helps people to gain a financial education on budgeting, banking, credit and more.

Classes on budgeting will be available during Money Smart Week on Saturday, April 28. There’s a teen class from 10 to 11 a.m., and adult classes, both English- and Spanish-speaking, from 11 a.m. to noon.

Learn more at membersalliance. org/about-us/bulletin-board/calendar-ofevents.html or at moneysmartweek.org/ events. ❚

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April 11

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April 11

To advertise call 815-316-2300

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Smart Living Weekly

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