Smart Living Weekly November 28, 2018

Sm mart a r t L iving Weekly Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • Rockford Region/Beloit/Freeport 95¢ • Nov. 28, 2018

™

Right in Our Region

Klehm to Host Holiday Open House

See Page 16

Enjoy Fun Holiday Events!

How to Prevent Ice Dam Flooding Lots of “Buy Local” Gift Ideas Tips to Reduce Falls Among the Elderly

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$25 Gift Card from GreenFire Restaurant

See Pg. 28 Details

Best of Life Information for Our Region’s Residents & Visitors Proudly Serving the Needs of 326,000 Neighbors - For Your Home, Health & Fun!

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In This Issue Right in Our Region ......................Cover & p. 16 Klehm Arboretum Holiday Open House Your Home ........................................................11 Prevent Ice Dam Flooding Inspiration & Worship ......................................12 Firmly Fixed Your Health .......................................................23 Reducing Falls Among Elderly Loved Ones Your Dining ......................................................26 Lino’s, a Longtime Local Favorite Your Fun .................................................. ......... 25

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, Anthony Franklin Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes Distribution Kelly Fairbairn Website www.SmartLivingWeekly.com Published by Hughes Media Corp.

222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104 (815) 316-2300, Fax: (815) 316-2301 lhughes@northwestquarterly.com Smart Living Weekly.

Copyright 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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Thinking Ahead T

errifying images of Californians fleeing the killer Camp Fire have finally wound down. The fire raged for two weeks, claiming 85 lives and 13,000 homes in its ghastly rampage.

Hundreds of survivor stories are strewn in its wake. Some people lost all of their possessions but shed tears of gratitude that their family members are safe. “It’s all just stuff that can be replaced,” they say.

Others deeply regret losing sentimental items – family pictures, heirlooms, baby books, trinkets their young children made.

Some folks were well prepared to flee.

They long ago assembled an easy-to-grab emergency bag. They copied photos, important documents and Internet passwords into a secure cyberspace vault or to their cell phones.

All of this got me to thinking how ill-prepared I would be if I had to leave my home with no notice. What would I grab? What would you grab? Medications? Passports?

Jewelry? Photos? Prescription eyeglasses?

Remember, the more minutes we take to grab stuff, the lower our risk of survival.

We don’t live in a fire-prone region, but house fires and other disasters can force evacuations anyplace, without notice. None of us expects disaster to knock on our door. But if it does, being prepared can make all the difference. Even better is to prevent it as much as possible.

We can make sure family members know alternate ways to exit a burning home and where to meet outside. We can buy and maintain smoke and carbon monoxide detectors as well as fire extinguishers. We can have our furnaces and fireplaces professionally checked and cleaned regularly. We can replace flame candles with battery-operated ones and we can resist the urge to overload outlets and extension cords, especially during the holiday season.

Dealing with disaster from a prepared position is smart living indeed.

Have a fun and safe week! ❚ Janine Pumilia SLW Editor

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Beautiful flowers, topiaries and gift s 2213 E State St Rockford, IL 61104 Poskastyle.com (815) 316-2979

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Y H  G

Prevent Ice Dams from Causing Leaks I

f snow and ice is not cleared from your roof, you could struggle with leaks in your home, says Toby Lask, executive vice president of Lask Roofing & Siding, 1101 22nd St., Rockford. The company offers assistance and advice on roofing needs year-round and recently added inhouse financing options for customers.

Ice dams form when water freezes in the eaves of your roof, preventing drainage. If left untreated, ice dams will continue to build up, blocking water and causing it to back up and leak into your house through walls, windows or a ceiling. Cleared gutters allow rainwater and melting snow to drain properly.

“After a snowfall, try to use a roof rake to pull down snow along gutter edges to help water flow and help prevent ice damming,” Lask says. “Also, chop or chisel thicker ice dams to create drain

trenches along valley bottoms and gutter edges to help allow air flow.”

Ice dams may be removed by spreading roof friendly salt along the ice dams, Lask says, but be sure to choose the right ones. “Lots of ice-melt salts on the market today are not roof friendly. Be sure to check prior to applying the salt.”

Homeowners should remove leaves, sticks and other debris from valleys, gutters and downspouts before the first snowfall, but should use extreme caution.

Never climb a ladder to reach a roof if you feel unsafe doing so.

“There are many dangers and risks involved in roofing and winter weather,” Lask says. “Personal safety is most important. Always seek a professional opinion prior to attempting any roof services.”

There are things that can be done to prevent such situations.

“Have a professional roofing contractor install a high-grade, self-regulating heat cable along sections of your home to help reduce build-up of ice and snow,” Lask suggests. “A roofing contractor also can install a gutter protection system that helps to prevent the buildup.”

Properly insulating your home also helps, since heat escaping from your home can cause the snow to melt and refreeze into ice dams. ❚

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I  W

Firmly Fixed

W

e humans get into a lot of trouble by forgetting God’s God and we’re not.

Hubris often rules our lives until we find ourselves helpless in an impossible situation. Only then do we remember we’re made of dust. If we’re wise, we run like children back into God’s open arms. We resolve to keep the Greatest Commandment: to love God with all our heart, soul and mind, both in good times and bad. (Matthew 22:37-39) The Bible, especially the Old Testament, is full of the following story: God puts person/people in a good situation. Person forgets God. Person stumbles.

(Pride goes before a fall, Proverbs 16:18).

Person returns to God and begs for help.

God looks at person’s heart and responds accordingly.

It’s worth repeating that God looks on our hearts, not our credentials. “The Lord does not look at the things people look at.

People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (I Sam. 16:7) The Old Testament reveals a parade of flawed and disadvantaged persons who succeed against grave odds only when they humble themselves before God. Deborah leads armies in a man’s world; Gideon faces down his anxiety disorder; Moses overcomes a speech impediment; Jacob is a liar; Rahab is a prostitute; Noah drinks too much; Jephthah is illegitimate; Oncehumble King David lets power go to his head and commits murder and adultery.

No human will ever be “good.” (Mark 10:18) But each of us has an open invitation to cling to the One who is – to love Him with our heart, soul and mind.

Apostle Paul, the top brass of the early church, asks God three times to remove a painful hardship from his life. (2 Corinthians 12:8-10 ESV). But God says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Paul responds: “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Through our loving obedience, God unleashes his power of good. Our task is not to be good, but to keep our eyes firmly fixed on the One who is. ❚ – Janine Pumilia 12

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Holiday

Open House Sunday, December 2nd 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Live Music by Ron Holm & Trinadora and saxophonist Amanee Avery Live Holiday Fruit & Vegetable Carving by Lincoln Bias Delicious holiday desserts & wines provided by GreenFire!

Decorated sugar cookies provided by Mary’s Market! $25 PER PERSON | $20 FOR MEMBERS, SENIORS, & STUDENTS | CHILDREN 5 & UNDER ARE FREE KLEHM ARBORETUM & BOTANIC GARDEN 2715 S. MAIN ST. ROCKFORD, IL 61102 | 815-965-8146 | KLEHM.ORG

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R  O R

Klehm Hosts Holiday Open House

By Peggy Werner lehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden, 2715 S. Main St., is presenting a holiday treat to the community. It includes entertainment, decorated Christmas trees, bite-sized treats, hot chocolate and sugar cookies – all wrapped up in the wonders of nature.

Klehm’s Holiday Open House will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, in the Klehm Visitor Center’s gallery room, which features a wall of windows for viewing landscaped grounds.

“People can come and go as they please and walk the grounds and see that we are more than a spring and summer attraction,” says Sarah Lorenz, Klehm’s marketing and administrative assistant.

Klehm Executive Director Alex Mills says Klehm is proof that nature has something beautiful to offer all year long.

“You can see things in winter that

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you wouldn’t see any other time of year,” he says. “There are ornamental grasses and vegetation with colorful fruit and berries. The evergreen, spruce and fir trees are especially beautiful with a dusting of snow.

“Winter offers a lot of details, textures and patterns that can only be seen when the trees have no leaves and more light filters through the branches.

If you’re paying attention, it’s like a whole different place. And animal tracks will clue you in on what animals are still active this time of year.”

Klehm’s gift shop will sell its own Christmas merchandise as well as items from local vendors, such as soaps from Gretta’s Goats, handmade mittens repurposed from sweaters and handmade jewelry. GreenFire Restaurant, Bar & Bakery will donate refreshments,

Nov. 28

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including bite-sized grasshopper mint cheesecakes, raspberry ganaches, an assortments of macaroons, wine, hot chocolate and soda pop. Christmas sugar cookies will be offered by Mary’s Market.

Entertainment will include Lincoln Bias, a food artist who will create eyepopping works of art from fruits and vegetables throughout the entire event.

Rockford native Amanee Avery, who has become a world-class saxophonist, will play jazz from 2 to 3 p.m. and Trinadora

R  O R

will perform from 3 to 4 p.m. The visitor’s center will be decorated with lights, trees, garland and wreaths.

Wes Burandt, a Klehm volunteer with a passion for trees, donates Christmas trees to Klehm each holiday season. In four years, he has donated 50 trees, all at least 15-feet tall.

A retired aerospace engineer, Burandt was born and raised on a farm.

He has operated a tree farm for more than 40 years and maintains 175 species of mostly native trees and shrubs on his 20-acre property filled with 14,000-plus

trees. He serves on Klehm’s collection committee, which decides which trees get planted at the arboretum.

Within a couple of years, 10 new species of oak trees will be on display at Klehm, he says. A recent addition to the arboretum includes a small conifer collection in a landscaped setting. Every year, 10 to 20 new species are introduced to the ever-changing Klehm landscape.

“Trees are good for ecology, wildlife, and for scenery,” says Burandt.

“Winter is one of my favorite times of the year to look at trees because you can see the unique shapes, structures and textures of the bark and branches.”

Trees are his life’s passion and he wants to inspire other people to plant more trees.

“When people walk around Klehm, they not only enjoy what they see, but they can get ideas for what is available to plant in their own yards,” says Burandt.

“Anyone can do it, if you have the room.

If you see something growing at Klehm,

chances are that tree will do well in your own yard.”

It was at Klehm that Burandt spotted a Forest Pansy Redbud tree and went to a nursery to purchase one for his own yard, where it has thrived. His favorite tree, though, is the majestic Burr Oak because of its large, widespread branches and massive trunk.

Anyone wanting to landscape with trees should know diversity is the key to success, he says, since you never know which species will be decimated by diseases or pests. For example, in the early 1900s, the American Chestnut Tree dominated the landscape until a disease wiped out about 7 billion trees across the country, he says. In the mid-century, Dutch elm disease wiped out thousands of trees in Rockford. People can minimize such devastation with a variety of plantings.

Admission to the open house is $20 for members and $25 for non-members.

Tickets can be purchased at the entrance.

Learn more at Klehm.org. ❚

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Y H

How to Reduce Falls Among the Elderly A

ccording to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for Americans over age 65. Mercyhealth has partnered with the NCOA and the Falls Free Coalition to offer these suggestions: • Talk to your older loved ones about falling. If dizziness or balance is a concern, suggest they discuss it with their health care provider, who can do a fall assessment and suggest a prevention program.

• Make sure your older loved one has a current eyeglass prescription. Tintchanging lenses can be hazardous when going from bright sun into darkened buildings and bifocals can be problematic on stairs. Ask their optometrist for suggestions on ways to improve their vision.

• Holding onto walls and furniture when walking, or having difficulty getting up from a chair are signs that your loved one could use the help of a physical therapist to improve balance, strength and gait through exercise. A therapist

might suggest a cane or walker, and show the person how to use them safely. Poorly fitted or wrongly used walking aids can actually increase the risk of falling.

• Talk about medicines. If your loved one is having a hard time keeping track of medicines or is experiencing side effects, encourage them to discuss their concerns with their doctor and pharmacist. Beware of non-prescription medicines that contain sleep aids, including painkillers with PM in their names. These can lead to balance issues and dizziness.

• Do a walk-through safety assessment

of their home. There are many simple and inexpensive ways to make a home safer, such as increasing lighting throughout the house, especially at the top and bottom of stairs.

• Make sure there are two secure rails on all stairs.

• Install grab bars in the tub/shower and near the toilet. Consider using a shower chair and a hand-held shower wand.

• Get rid of throw rugs, move extension cords out of walkways, pick up clutter and replace broken or unstable furniture.

Consider the use of a personal emergency response system, like Mercyhealth Safe Connect. It’s ideal for elderly and disabled individuals who want to stay in their own homes. With Safe Connect, there’s always a 24/7 connection to family members or friends to help your loved one get back on his or her feet after a fall.

To learn more about Mercyhealth Safe Connect, visit mercyhealthsafeconnect. org or call (608) 756-6784. ❚

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Events AE: ‘A Picasso’ Nov. 29-Dec. 9, Thu.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sat. 4 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Rockford U., (815) 394-5004, artistsensemble.org.

Zachary Owens Nov. 30, 7:30 p.m. This bass-baritone from Stillman Valley, Ill., was a national semifinalist at the 2015 Metropolitan Opera National Council Competition. MPAC, Rockford, (815) 964-9713, mendelssohnpac.org.

‘Annie’ Nov. 30-Dec. 9, Fri.-Sat. 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 1 & Sun. 2 p.m. Stage One, JPAC, Janesville, (608) 758-0297, janesvillepac.org.

‘The Nutcracker’ Dec. 1-2, Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m. Rockford Dance Company & Rockford Symphony perform to the music of Tchaikovsky at the lovely Coronado PAC. (815) 965-0049.

Jazz for the Holidays Dec. 2, 3 p.m. MPAC, Starr Center, Rockford, (815) 964-9713, mendelssohnpac.org.

Y F Holiday Open House at Klehm Dec. 2, 2-4 p.m. See cover story and learn more at Klehm.org.

Sweet Reminders of Christmas Dec. 4-5. Singers Nancy Baumet and Dia Madden. (815)946-3817, whitepinesinn.com.

Winter Concert Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m. The Regent Singers, Vocal Collective, Women’s Ensemble and Gospel Choir perform. Maddox Theatre, 5050 E. State St., (815) 226-4100, rockford.edu.

Lucia Dec. 7, 7 p.m. Traditional Swedish songs and candlelit processional. First Lutheran Church, 225 S. Third St., (815) 963-5559, swedishhistorical.org. Will be followed by refreshments at the Nordic Cultural Center, 404 S. Third St. J.R. Sullivan’s 22nd Hometown Holiday Dec. 7-9, Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main St. Tickets $30 from jrsullivanhometownholiday. com or Eventbrite.com.

Trinadora’s Holiday Frolic Concert Dec. 13, 7 p.m. Katie’s Cup, 502 7th St., Rockford. Free. Refreshments for sale. ❚

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WDL

Lino’s: ‘Home-Away-from-Home’ Dining

By Peggy Werner

F

or almost 50 years, Lino’s Pizza and Italian Restaurant, 5611 E. State St., has been a favorite option for people celebrating special occasions. But it’s also a “home away from home” for folks who just want a great meal any night of the week.

The Lino’s experience is consistent and that’s by design.

“We try very hard to stay the same,” says Charlie Schweinler, co-owner. “As the world changes and other restaurants try to keep up with the latest trends, we try to remain that place where people can connect, get homemade food and enjoy us because we are who we are.”

Schweinler is married to the founder’s granddaughter, Celeste, whose dad, Joe Battista, is co-owner with his brother, Jim. The name “Lino’s” conjures images of homemade pizza, cheesy lasagna with

a thick red sauce and daily specials like veal or chicken parmagiana or deep fried cod, accompanied by a special salad topped with egg, sausage and a special dressing.

The secret is simple. All recipes are made from scratch with top quality ingredients, Schweinler explains.

“Italian food is not complicated. It is a few simple ingredients done right that give people a warm and good feeling,” he says.

Lino’s founder Michael Battista came to the U.S. at age 19 and earned an engineering degree. He worked for the Sunbeam Corp. before he met wife Pasqua in Rockford, also an Italian immigrant. They used her family recipes to launch their business and, one by one, her siblings came to America and contributed

In the Spotlight

Top Picks for Local Restaurants Baci’s Kitchen  Fast-Casual, dine-in, carry-out. 2990 N. Perryville Road, inside A Perryville Place. (815) 329-6922. Open 7 days/wk. at 8 a.m. BkLD. Complete menu at Baciskitchen.com.

Backyard Grill & Bar  Casual/American. 5390 Elevator Road, Roscoe, Ill., (815) 623-6677. 2nd St., Loves Park, Ill., (815) 6369430. LD M-Th 11am-midnight, F-Sat to 2am, Sun noon-10 p.m. $-SS. Bravo Pizza  Italian/American. 376 Prairie Hill Road, S. Beloit, Ill., (815) 624-7900. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11pm. $.

Capital House  Lunches, fine dining, sushi bar, gourmet coffee & pastries, martini bar. 308 W. State St., Rockford, (815) 708-8989. LD T-Th 11am-10pm, Fri.-Sat. 11 am-10pm. $-$$$.

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

Daily specials. 6500 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park, Ill. (815) 654-9900. LD M-F 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sat. 5-10 p.m. $$ Cucina di Rosa  Italian Bistro/Bakery 1620 Bell School Road, (815) 395-5040. BkLD. M-Sat 7am-9pm. $$ Dos Reales Mexican Restaurant  Casual/Mexican. 5855 E. State St., (815) 227-4979. LD $-$$.

398-5700. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11 pm.

GreenFire  Upscale-Casual/American contemporary. Live entertainment. 6795 E. Riverside Blvd., Rockford, (815) 3163473. BkLD M-F 11am, Sat-Sun 8am. Bar open late. $$$.

Hearthrock Cafe  Restaurant/cafe. Baked goods, coffee, breakfast, lunch. Inside Benson Stone Co., 1100 11th St., (815) 227-2000. BkL M-F 7:30am-3pm; Sat. 8am-3pm. $-$$.

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

Maciano’s  Casual Italian. 6746 Broadcast Pkwy., Loves Park, (815) 633-7500; & 5801 Columbia Pkwy., Rkfd., (815) 227-5577. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11pm. $-$$.

Olympic Tavern  Upscale-Casual/American. 2327 N. Main St., (815) 962-8758. Extensive beer list. LD M-Th 11 a.m.-midnight; Fri-Sat. to 2 a.m. $-$$.

Prairie Street Brewhouse  Upscale-Casual/American.

200 Prairie St., Rockford, (815) 277-9427. LD Sun-W 11am10pm, Th to midnight, F-Sat to 2am. $-$$.

Fresco at the Gardens.  Casual/American Café. 318 Spring Creek Road, (815) 316-2256. BkL Daily 7am-3pm. $$

Salamone’s North  Italian-American. 2583 N. Mulford Road, Rkfd. LD. Sun. noon-10 p.m.; Mon.-Th 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sat. noon-11 p.m. (815) 639-1200

Giordano’s  Casual/Italian. Stuffed pizza, salads, entrees, sandwiches, desserts. 33 Executive Parkway, Rockford, (815)

Taco Betty’s  Casual/Mexican-American. 212 E. State St., Rkfd., (815) 977-5650. LD Daily 11am-1am. $$. ❚

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to the success of Lino’s.

Many of the 100 or so Lino’s employees have worked at the restaurant since it opened in 1972.

Lino’s is open from 4:30 to 10 p.m.

Monday through Saturday and from 4:30 to 9 p.m. on Sunday. For reservations or carryout, call (815) 397-2077. ❚

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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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Issue 1