Smart Living Weekly - December 13, 2017

Special Holiday Savings Inside!

g Sm mart L iving Weekly Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • Rockford Region/Beloit 95¢ • December 13, 2017

™

Right in Our Region

Five by Design at RSO Holiday Pops See Page 16

Fun Holiday Crafts Save Money on Tech Bills Healthier Holiday Recipes Lots of Local Events

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$25 Gift Card from GreenFire Restaurant

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

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Serving The Greater Rockton, Roscoe and South Beloit Areas Since 2008.

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In This Issue

Right in Our Region ........................Cover & p. 16 RSO Holiday Pops with Five by Design Your Home ................................................... ..... 11 Dealing with Drafty Windows Inspiration & Worship .......................................12 Christmas, the Dawn of Grace Your Kitchen .....................................................15 Healthier Holiday Recipes Outdoor Living ...................................................19 Playground Winter Safety Tips Holiday Tips ............................................ .......... 21 4 Ways to Make Holiday Gift Giving Easier Your Health ............................................. ........... 23 NEW Treatment for Cataracts Your Fun ................................................... .......... 25

Restaurant of the Week .................................... 26 Merrill & Houston Steak Joint Dining Locally ........................................... ........ 26 Your Technology ..................................... .......... 29 Save Money on Tech

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, Steven Wysong, 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 2017 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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Mary Poppins Y

ou probably get tired of the media confusing itself with Mary Poppins, dispensing nanny advice in a superior tone. I know I do. But one thing worse is reading articles about accidental deaths and injuries during the holiday season, especially those that were easily preventable. Reminding each other to think “safety first” isn’t such a bad use of ink now and then. So here goes.

Home fires. What with candles burning, Christmas trees and other greens drying out, electrical outlets overloaded and fireplaces, space heaters and ovens blazing, our homes are bon fires waiting to happen.

Still, you’d think that house fires would’ve decreased in recent years, what with the wider use of LED lights and battery-powered candles. That’s not the case. In fact, the number of holiday-related U.S. home fires the American Red Cross has responded to has risen 10 percent since 2000. And on average, one of every 22 fires started by Christmas trees results in death. Yes, death. Not a cheery statistic.

If you haven’t already done it, buy and install smoke alarms and keep the batteries up to date. They won’t prevent fires, but they’ll cut in half your odds of death by fire. Ask every parent you know if they need one and give them as gifts if necessary.

Carbon monoxide detectors are a good idea, too. I once interviewed a Loves Park family that nearly perished when their furnace went bad. They were sleeping and didn’t notice the poisonous gas, which is odorless.

Have you had your furnace checked lately?

Another cause of horrible holiday heartache is drunk driving. If each of us was brave enough to stop friends from driving drunk and each of us made sure we were not part of the problem, we’d save lives.

Like police officers and ER medical professionals, reporters see tragedy close up more often than most citizens do. My abundance of caution is fueled by years of reading police logs and covering tragedies for newspapers.

With just a little extra care, some of these traumatic events could have been prevented. Don’t let regrets become part of your holiday tradition.

Think “safety first” and have a wonderful week! ❚

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Y H  G

How to Deal with Drafty Windows

By Jermaine Pigee

L

ast week’s strong, cold winds were a nasty reminder that winter is here.

Scott Williamson, owner and operator of Window World of Rockford, 6010 Forest Hills Road, says there are things homeowners can do to reduce the cold draft that seep through windows. He suggests buying a good-quality aluminum storm window.

Williamson says winterizing your windows with plastic is an inexpensive way to stop heat loss and lower your gas bills this winter.

“Plastic, if applied correctly, is a good alternative for reducing air infiltration,” he says. “The key is to apply one continuous piece of plastic and don’t use staples to secure. Instead, use a continuous strip of tape to secure the plastic on all four sides.”

Spray foam is another option, but not just any spray foam will do the trick.

“Be sure to buy spray foam designed for replacement windows,” Williamson

says. “This limits the amount of expansion and it will not damage or distort the frames or sashes of the window.”

The spray foam can also be effective in hard-to-reach places.

“Another good secret is to remove the inside ranch casing. Most of the time, there’s a void between the window frame and drywall,” Williamson says. “This is a huge source of air infiltration. Replacement window spray foam in this area is very beneficial.”

If all else fails, another option is to seal the window shut.

“The best alternative and cheapest is to caulk and paint your old windows shut,” he says. “This works well, but obviously you can no longer open your windows.”

If your windows are old, chipping or have fogging between the panes, it may be time for replacement windows.

“Storm windows can do a good job of reducing the amount of air infiltration

coming into your home, which will reduce your utility bills,” Williamson says.

“You may also want to get a price on replacement windows because you might be surprised that they may not cost much more. They’ll help you stop losing money on energy bills and increase the value of your home.” ❚

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I  W

Christmas

The Dawn of Grace

W

hile many details related to Jesus’ birth are murky, scriptures in both the Old and New Testaments couldn’t be clearer about his purpose for coming. He came to offer eternal reconciliation to God for those who choose to accept it.

And he came to offer hope and healing to the oppressed, the sick, the suffering – in short, light to a dark world.

We read in Luke 4:16-21, shortly after Jesus began his ministry, that he went to his hometown synagogue in Nazareth, opened the scroll of the prophet Isaiah (who lived some 700 years before he was born) and read: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.”

Then Jesus closed the book, gave it back to the minister and sat down.

Everyone stared at him, and he told them, “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.”

While many religions recognize Jesus as a prophet, only Christianity celebrates him as the son of God and the messiah prophesied in the Old Testament. It is entirely unique in its message of grace.

“For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God,” writes the apostle Paul in Ephesians 2:8.

John 1:17 tells us, “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”

Jesus Christ ended classism by extending the option of salvation to all people, Jew and non-Jew, male and female, slave and free (Galatians 3:28).

Shortly before his death, Jesus prayed not only for people who already believed on him, but for “all those who shall believe on me through their word” (John 17:20) – and that’s you and me.

Why not take time this season to read for yourself the scriptures that describe Christ’s birth? You’ll find them in the first chapters of Luke and Matthew, in the New Testament. ❚ – Janine Pumilia

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Healthier Holiday Recipes I

f you’re managing your health and weight, the season can feel anything but merry.

When preparing your holiday menu, look for recipes that contain adequate protein, healthy fats and high-fiber carbohydrates. Learn more at Atkins.com.

Garlic Rosemary Pork Loin 1 1 3 2

pound boneless pork loin olive oil cooking spray Tb. Dijon mustard garlic cloves, minced Tb. fresh rosemary, thinly sliced

Heat oven to 350 F. In small skillet over medium heat, cook pork loin, fatty-side down, 4-5 minutes to brown top and render some fat.

Coat 7-by-11-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Place pork loin in dish.

In small bowl, combine mustard, garlic and rosemary; stir well. Spoon mixture over pork. Transfer to oven and bake

Y K

45 minutes-1 hour, until loin is cooked through but still slightly pink in center.

When pork is cooked, let rest 5 minutes before slicing and serve.

Sweet Potato-Pumpkin Puree

3 large egg whites 5 Tb sugar substitute, divided 1/2 cup half pecans 1.5 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled 1/4 cup unsalted butter stick 1/2 cup heavy cream 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice 1/2 tsp. cinnamon 15 oz. pumpkin Heat oven to 250 F. Lightly butter baking sheet.

Beat egg whites with electric mixer at high speed until foamy. Gradually add 3 Tb. sugar substitute and mix until soft peaks form. Spoon onto prepared baking sheet and spread with spatula to 1/4-inch thickness. Bake 35 minutes. Turn oven

off; let meringue stand in oven 45 minutes. Crush meringue and place in bowl.

Add pecans and toss gently to combine.

While meringue is resting, place sweet potatoes in medium saucepan.

Cover with water to 2 inches above potatoes and bring to boil. Cook until tender, about 20 minutes, and drain. Return saucepan to medium-high heat. Add potatoes, butter, cream, remaining sugar substitute, salt, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice and pumpkin puree. Stir to combine.

Mash with potato masher until smooth.

Heat through, about 1 minute.

Transfer potato mixture to serving dish and cover with meringue topping. ❚ (Source: Family Features)

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R  O R

RSO Holiday Pops Concert This Weekend T

he beautiful Coronado Performing Arts Center will provide the backdrop for Rockford Symphony Orchestra’s (RSO) annual Holiday Pops concert Friday, Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 17 at 3 p.m.

Music Director Steve Larsen has been directing RSO for 27 years.

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RSO will share the stage with nationally acclaimed vocal group Five by Design and fill the air with the spirited musical favorites we long to hear this time of year.

Listening to great seasonal music is a form of holiday nostalgia that keeps us sane, says RSO Music Director Steve Larsen.

“In the hectic weeks between Thanksgiving Day and Christmas, ‘sanity’ can often seem to be as scarce as a skinny Santa. We seek it under the mistletoe, singing beloved old songs, driving through Sinnissippi Park to see the lights and a hundred other ways. It’s called nostalgia, and it’s the source of every holiday tradition. Nostalgia might qualify as one of the basic human the emotions: we could live without

Dec. 13

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nostalgic traditions, but who would want to?”

Larsen’s decision to invite Five by Design to join in this year’s Holiday Pops was carefully made.

“I spend a great amount of time not only researching ideas for each concert, but also finding the excellent quality talent needed to make it outstanding,” he says.

He describes Five by Design as “masters of nostalgia.” He explains, “They began in the 1980s – five talented singers who created an award-winning act called ‘Radio Days’ to commemorate the 50th anniversary of World War II, recreating the radio performances that were so much a part of American life. Hundreds of performances and more than 25 years later they’re still going strong, kindling golden memories for older listeners

R  O R and introducing new audiences to the evergreen beauty of these great American songs.”

Five by Design is known for its fresh, innovative take on holiday favorites as well as original songs, he says.

This year’s program features a blended rendition of “Happy Holidays” and “Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” plus “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” “Baby, Its Cold Outside,” “The New 12 Days of Christmas,” “Sleigh Ride” and Burl Ives’s popular “Holly Jolly Christmas,” “Let It Snow,” “Winter Wonderland,” “There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays,” “Silent Night” and more.

The first RSO Holiday Pops concert took place in 1992. Larsen celebrated his 25th anniversary as music director of the RSO in the 2015-16 season. His tenure has brought both local and national recognition to the orchestra. In 1999, 2006 and 2016, he was named Illinois Conductor of the Year and is a recipient of the

Mayor’s Arts Award for Individual Achievement. He’s worked with dozens of orchestras in the U.S. and Europe, including the Opera Theater of San Antonio, the Chicago Opera Theater, Lyric Opera Cleveland, the Minnesota Opera, Michigan Opera Theater, Light Opera of Chicago and the Netherlands Radio Chamber Orchestra.

Minnesota-based Five By Design includes brothers Terrence and Kurt Niska and the husband-wife duo of Kurt and Lorie Niska as well as childhood collaborator Michael Swedberg.

National media exposure includes a seven-city guest artist appearance with the 2012 Boston Pops Holiday Tour; a six-camera video presentation of their production Club Swing, shot by Wisconsin Public Television and available to member stations across the country; and National Public Radio’s “Weekend

Edition–Sunday” and “Swingin’ Down the Lane.” The ensemble’s recordings are available on their website and they also appear as guest artists on John Meyer’s Bringin’ Out the Beast.

Tickets for the RSO Holiday Pops concert range from $25 to $65 with student tickets priced at $9. Purchase them in advance at the Coronado or the RSO box office at 711 N. Main St., or call (815) 965-0049. Tickets are also available at rockfordsymphony.com. ❚

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Experience Downtown Rockford

O L

Winter Weather Playground Safety Tips

By Rhianna Miller here’s something exhilarating about playing outside when the air is cold and there’s a hint of snow. Here’s some practical advice to help your children play without getting hurt.

T

Know the Temperature Frostbite can happen very quickly once the wind chill factor gets below -18º F and children are especially susceptible.

Here are some ways to check if it’s safe to let young kids play outdoors: • Tune in to weather forecasts or keep an app at the ready. Install a thermometer near your door outside.

• If you aren’t sure about the wind chill index, you can either use an online calculator to determine it for you, or consult the National Weather Service. It issues advisories and warnings that are best to heed.

• Watch out for hypothermic symptoms like shivering, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, fast breathing, confusion and hunger.

Check for Slipperiness Falls and slips are primary playground hazards even on nice days. Let hardened snow melt first, shovel a clear path and area for the kids, and treat icy areas with salt. Cordon off areas that need to be treated long-term.

It’s easy for soil, sand and the like to freeze and become slippery. Rubber mulch doesn’t absorb water, so it’s safer to play on during winter while providing sufficient fall protection.

Test Outdoor Surfaces Teach kids not to do silly things like lick frozen objects. Playground equipment made of metal can freeze really fast and cause various injuries. Test for ice, rust and other dangers before allowing kids to play on them.

avoid scarves, drawstrings, belts, ribbons, necklaces or other details that can get caught on equipment or strangle.

Dress Correctly Arms, legs, hands and feet are body parts that need to be kept warm for blood to circulate properly. Cover them but

Rhianna Miller is the playground design and safety expert at Rubber Mulch, which makes mulch from 100 percent recycled rubber. Learn more at rubbermulch.com.

Keep a Winter First-Aid Kit Add instant hot chocolate or chicken broth packs to help hypothermic kids warm up their core temperature. ❚

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H T

4 Ways to Make Holiday Gifting Easier T

he gifting season can quickly spiral out of control for unprepared shoppers. These four tips can help.

Get organized. The secret to conquering the holiday season is having a plan. Take 10-15 minutes to update your calendar with all your holiday parties, family engagements, secret Santa exchanges or any other gifting commitments. Make sure to include dates, locations, times and even specifics, like themes, if they’re available. If you have multiple holiday events, you might even color-coordinate your planner for an easy visual reminder. Sync your events across all smart devices for an easy glance at the touch of a button.

Find your go-to gifts. As an adult, deciphering what kind of gifts a child wants in this digital age can be tricky.

Some classics like brick toys are still a hit with kids of all ages. Studies show that 60 percent of children love playing with brick toys and more than half of

parents love that their kids do, according to Mattel Global Consumer Insights. Try product lines like Mega Construx and Mega Bloks, which combine the fun of brick toys with popular franchises to create exciting products for kids.

Wrap gifts early. Now that you have your plan in place, save time by purchasing all the gifts you will need for the holidays and wrapping them at one time. Prevent the stress of a last-minute gift wrap run by pre-wrapping gifts and simply labeling them with removable sticky notes.

Build a gifting closet. Once you have your gifts wrapped and ready to go, consider using an old crate or storage container and turning it into a “gifting closet.” Insert dividers to separate the gifts by age range and set aside your treasure trove in an easy-to-reach storage area. You can even use this closet yearround for birthdays and other gifting events. On the day of the party, simply

open your gifting closet, grab a gift for the right age and head out the door.

Another option to save time and money this holiday season is to enter for the chance to win a gifting closet with $1,000 worth of Mega products to help you conquer the gifting season. To enter the sweepstakes, post an original holiday photo to Instagram or Twitter with a short caption that includes why the entrant likes to give or receive construction toys as gifts. ❚ (Source: Family Features)

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A New Cataract Treatment

By Lindsey Gapen, assistant managing editor natural lens and replaces it with an artifir. Edward Yavitz has always had cial lens, called an intraocular lens (IOL). a passion for innovation. With 37 Yavitz introduced a new IOL called the patents to his name and new ones pendSymfony lens, which is the first and only ing, the ophthalmologist at Yavitz Eye lens that provides continuous, high-qualiCenter, 4105 N. Perryville Road, Loves ty vision at any distance.

Park, values inventions that lead to an “There are limitations with other increased quality of life. Recently, he lenses,” Yavitz says. “The usual implant discovered a new way to use replacement provided by Medicare and health insurlens implants for people with cataracts. ers is focused just for distance – you still “Cataracts are a big topic,” Yavitz have to wear reading glasses to see at says. “They affect 50 percent of people arms length or closer. Multi-focal IOLs over age 60.” allow for both distance and reading viInside your eye, there’s a natural lens sion, but can cost up to $6,000 out of that helps you to see. The lens starts out pocket. Plus, distance vision isn’t quite as clear, but turns into a cataract after years sharp and there can be a glare at night. So, of sun damage that causes it to become the new Symfony IOL often solves these cloudy. According to the American Acadproblems.” emy of Ophthalmology, having a cataract Yavitz is writing a paper on the use of is like looking through a foggy car windthe Symfony lens in one eye only, which shield. Things are blurry, or less colorful. saves his patients thousands of dollars in To remove a cataract, surgery is necout-of-pocket costs. essary. An ophthalmologist removes your

Y H

D

Edward Yavitz M.D.

“I discovered that by putting a singlefocus distance implant in the dominant eye and the Symfony implant in the nondominant eye, the overall vision is vastly superior,” Yavitz says. “I’m always looking for a better result and a happier patient who isn’t burdened with extra expense.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (815) 395-8338. ❚

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(Paid Advertorial)

Dec. 13

23

Rockton, IL

Christmas Sale Black Friday (11/24) Christmas Eve (12/24)

www.gemshop.jewelry Holiday Hours: 11/24-12/24 Monday - Saturday 10a-5:30p Sunday 12p-4p

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

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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

Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Tourism

Attractions & Events

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.

Geminid Meteor Watch Dec. 14, 7 p.m. Watch for meteors under a moonless sky. Geminids are bright and colorful, and can be seen at a rate gorockford.com of 100 meteors per Rockford, IL 61101 1.800.521.0849 hour. Bring lawn chairs, blankets or sleeping bags. Reg. online. Weiskopf Observatory, Byron, Ill., (815) 234-8535, byronforestpreserve.com.

9/10/07 2:07:37 PM

AE: “Its’ A Wonderful Life” Radio Play Dec. 15-17, Fri. 7:30 p.m., Sat. 4 p.m. & 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. It’s an unusual Christmas Eve in Bedford Falls, where George Bailey is in desperate need of a miracle. This beloved holiday classic is presented as a 1946 radio broadcast, complete with live sound effects. AE, Rockford, (815) 394-5004, artistsensemble.org.

Owl Prowl Dec. 15, 7 p.m. After an overview program to learn about owls, head outside to see if any can be spotted on the trails. Severson Dells Nature Center, Winnebago, Ill., (815) 335-2915, seversondells.com.

Christmas Spectacular Dec. 15-17, Fri. 7:30 p.m., Sat. 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Featuring favorite classics.

Byron Civic Theater, Byron Middle School, 850 N. Colfax St., Byron, Ill., (815) 312-3000, bctmagic.com.

A Carpenter’s Christmas Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m. Singer Lisa Rock and her band keep the group’s holiday traditions alive.

JPAC, Janesville, (608) 758-0297, janesvillepac. org.

Midway Village Saturday Series Dec. 16, 10:30-noon. Discover Persian history, traditions, arts and culture; try your hand at creating Tazhib, gilding patterned designs in gold.

Midway Village Museum, Rockford, (815) 3979112, midwayvillage.com.

RSO: Holiday Pops Dec. 16-17, Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m. The nationally acclaimed Five by Design joins RSO for a unique take on classic holiday favorites, using lush harmonies and rhythms. CPAC, Rockford, (815) 968-0595, coronadopac.org.

BJSO: Winter Holiday Delight Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m. Share some holiday cheer with conductor/music director Dr. Robert Tomaro and the rest of the Beloit Janesville Symphony Orchestra. JPAC, Janesville, (608) 758-0297, janesvillepac.org.

Join an Owl Prowl on Dec. 15. Photo by David C. Olson

Winter Solstice Concert Dec. 21, 6 p.m. Celebrate the longest, darkest night of the year with a concert featuring Rockford’s indie folk band Taboo blah blah and the Minneapolis folk band Good Morning Bedlam. Severson Dells Nature Center, 8502 Montague Road, Winnebago, Ill., (815) 3352915, seversondells.com.

Christmas at the Armory Dec. 22-23, 7 p.m. The area’s finest performers entertain with a family evening of Christmas songs. Surprise visit by you-know-who. Cocktails and buffet available prior to show. The Armory, Janesville, (608) 741-7400, janesvillearmory.com.

Kantorei Christmas Concert Dec. 23, 6 p.m. The theme of this year’s concert is Scandinavian Solstice, featuring authentic costumes and repertoire by Norwegian, Icelandic, Dutch and Swedish composers, sung in both the native languages and in English. First Lutheran Church, 225 S. 3rd St., Rockford, (815) 246-2202, kantorei.com.

Harlem Globetrotters Dec. 30, 2 p.m. Incredible athleticism and non-stop amazing moves continue to entertain families around the globe. BMO Harris Bank Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford, (815) 968-5222, thebmoharrisbankcenter.com.

“The Great Gatsby” New Year’s Eve Dec. 31, 7 p.m.-1 a.m. Guests are encouraged to dress in 1920s style and ring in the new year with hors d’oeuvres and cocktails in the Historic Drill Hall. Live music by The Gatsby Gang Jazz Band, performing vintage favorites and its takes on today’s biggest hits. The Armory, Janesville, (608) 741-7400, janesvillearmory.com.❚

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WDL

Restaurant of the Week

Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint Sizzles

By Paul Anthony Arco

B

eloit’s rich history comes alive at Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint, 500 Pleasant St. “It’s a tribute to our city’s past and the industry leaders who created Beloit,” says Jayme Braasch, the restaurant’s general manager. “We want people to feel like they can really connect with Beloit.”

Named after Orson Merrill and George Houston, who founded Merrill & Houston Iron Works in 1858 (later Beloit Ironworks and eventually the Beloit Corporation), the restaurant itself is a tribute to the past.

The bar, for example, was constructed with wood gathered from a house that once stood on the property of the Iron Works.

Leather seats, hardwood floors and many historical photographs lining the walls give the space a vintage feel.

As the name implies, the restaurant features mouthwatering steaks along with a full-service menu of fish, chicken and

seafood. Specialties include seafood Alfredo, duck a l’orange, and broiled pike almondine, complemented by a toasted almond lemon butter. “We offer something for every customer,” says Braasch.

Steak cuts include rib-eye, porterhouse and New York strip, along with petite filet, Manhattan steak, and ribeye mignon. Half sizes are available. All steaks are seasoned and topped with buttered mushrooms and crispy thin onion rings. And for an additional $7.95, each can be topped with crab, asparagus and Béarnaise, for a traditional Oscar-style steak.

Merrill & Houston’s hosts many special occasions such as birthday parties, reunions and wedding receptions. The main dining room seats 120 and the banquet room can accommodate 200 guests.

“Fine dining is alive and well, and con-

Jayme Braasch

tinues to grow,” Braasch says. “As long as you have quality food, excellent service and a great atmosphere, you can’t go wrong. People want a nice night out. That’s never going to change.”

Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint is open daily at 4 p.m. ❚

In the Spotlight

Top Picks for Local Restaurants Arturo’s Mexican Restaurant  Casual/Authentic Mexican. 107 tic dishes, lunch menu. 5855 E. State St., Rockford, (815) W. Main St., Poplar Grove, Ill., (815) 765-1144. LD M 11am-8pm, 227-4979. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 10:30pm. $-$$.

T-Th to 9pm, F to 10pm, Sun noon-8pm. $.

Fresco at the Gardens.  Casual/American Café. Fresh, loBaci’s Kitchen  Fast-Casual American and Italian specialties, cal-sourced ingredients. 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, dine-in, carry-out. 2990 N. Perryville Road, inside A Perryville (815) 316-2256. BkL Daily 7am-3pm. $$ Place. (815) 329-6922. Open 7 days/wk. at 8 a.m. BkLD. ComGiordano’s  Casual/Italian. Stuffed pizza, salads, entrees, plete menu at Baciskitchen.com. sandwiches, desserts. 33 Executive Parkway, Rockford, (815) Big Papa’s Barbecue  BBQ Specialties. 5811 Forest Hills Road, 398-5700. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11 pm.

Rockford, (815) 904-6612. LD M-Th 11am-9pm, F-Sat 11 amGreenFire  Upscale-Casual/American contemporary. Sea10pm, Sun 11am-7pm. $. sonal cuisine; local-sourced ingredients; gourmet market; Bravo Pizza  Italian/American. 376 Prairie Hill Road, South Be- live entertainment. 6795 E. Riverside Blvd., Rockford, (815) loit, Ill., (815) 624-7900. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11pm. $. 316-3473. BkLD M-F 11am, Sat-Sun 8am. Bar open late. $$$.

Cannova’s Italian Cuisine  Casual. 1101 W. Empire St., Free- Hearthrock Cafe  Restaurant/cafe. Baked goods, coffee, port, (815) 233-0032. D T-Th, Sun 5-9pm; F-Sat 10pm. $-$$. breakfast, lunch. Inside Benson Stone Co., 1100 11th St., Ciao Bella Ristorante Upscale-Casual/Italian-American. Dai- Rockford, (815) 227-2000. BkL M-F 7:30am-3pm; Sat. 8amly specials. 6500 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park, Ill. (815) 654- 3pm. $-$$.

9900. LD M-F 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sat. 5-10 p.m. $$

Prairie Street Brewhouse  Upscale-Casual/American. 200 Costa’s Ristorante  Upscale-Casual/Italian. 133 Blackhawk Prairie St., Rockford, (815) 277-9427. LD Sun-W 11am-10pm, Th to midnight, F-Sat to 2am. $-$$.

Dr., Byron, Ill., (815) 234-4707. LD Daily 4pm. $-$$.

Cucina di Rosa  Italian Bistro/Bakery 1620 Bell School Road, Taco Betty’s  Casual/Mexican-American. 212 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 395-5040. BkLD. Homemade gelato, baked Rockford, (815) 977-5650. LD Daily 11am-1am. $$. goods, pasta, frittatas, more. M-Sat 7am-9pm. $$

Thrive Café  Casual/Cafe. Salads, wraps, sandwiches, smoothies, cold-pressed juices. Inside Peak Fitness, 4401 Peak Dos Reales Mexican Restaurant  Casual/Mexican. AuthenDrive, Loves Park, Ill. BkLD M-F 6am-8pm, Sat 8am-2pm. ❚

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Smart Living Weekly

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C

Cannova’s

annova’s has been serving up authentic Italian dishes and pizza since Anthony and Philippina Cannova started the restaurant in 1921.

Today, their granddaughter, Linda, and her husband, Patrick Beckman, carry on the tradition, at 1101 W. Empire St., Freeport. They use many original recipes for pizza, spaghetti sauce, Italian beef, fresh bread and pizza dough.

House specials include a Sicilian filet, marinated in olive oil and red wine; Italian-style baked cod; and seafood Alfredo. Linda’s made-from-scratch desserts include tiramisu, cheesecake and chocolate spoon cake.

Then there are the award-winning pizzas: the Classic; the New York; the double-crusted Gloria Read, named for a longtime customer; and the Sicilian.

Cannova’s is open Sun.-Tues. 5-10 p.m. and Fri.-Sat. until 11 p.m. ❚

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Y T

How to Find More Money for the Holidays

By Peggy Werner

I

f you’re thinking it would be nice to have a little extra spending money for the holidays about now, here’s a tip: take a close look at what you’re paying for tech services.

“Most people pay too much,” says Charles Zambrano, owner of EZ Satellite & Wireless, 6239 N. 2nd St., Suite B, in Loves Park. “People are paying too much for phone, internet and television services by using just one company, and they often pay too much for home security protection, too,” he says.

“I love to see people’s faces when they find out how much money they can save.”

Sometimes people are tricked by promotional offers that may jump up dramatically in price after a special offer ends.

“You should know exactly what you’re getting so that it doesn’t cost you a lot of money down the road.”

Zambrano also finds himself helping residential and business customers to set up cost-effective but reliable security systems. He offers the highly rated Protect America home security service for as little as $19.95 per month.

The family-owned business opened in 2011. It’s a full-service retailer for satellite TV and Internet, and can also help people to acquire cable services.

After working for many years as a satellite dish installer for one of the local providers, Zambrano decided to go out on his own to be more in control of his life and to help others do the same.

EZ Satellite & Wireless is an authorized Dish network retailer and also offers services from any other provider, using dish, cable, Internet or home security, such as Comcast, Frontier, HughesNet, DishNet, DirectTV, Digitenna and Vivint.

Zambrano can help those who drop their TV cable service to set up Sling TV for $20 a month. Sling offers 30 channels

of live TV including CNN and ESPN. Sometimes a customer simply wants a TV antenna set up in order to receive local TV station programming including Chicago Cubs baseball games through WGN. Zambrano is happy to help them.

And, through DISH, he also offers the Amazon Echo Dot, a hands-free, voicecontrolled device that uses the same farfield voice recognition as Amazon Echo.

For more information, contact EZ Satellite & Wireless at (815) 957-4335 or stop by the office ❚

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