Smart Living Weekly - September 23, 2015

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n iving g Smart L ivi ivin ng Weekly Save Smarter • Live Better • Rockford Region/Beloit 95¢ • Sept. 23, 2015

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Right in Our Region

45th Autumn on Parade

By Sarah Soenke, deputy editor

O

n Oct. 3 & 4, this year’s Autumn on Parade festival will be bigger than ever, to mark its 45th anniversary. From the heart of Ogle County, the fall-themed family fun attracts thousands of people from across the region.

Staged around the historic Ogle County Courthouse Square, more than 160 vendors will

sell art, crafts, farm-fresh fare and more. There will be food vendors and live entertainers, as well as a Harvest Time Parade, a classic car/ tractor show, book sale, kids’ fun zone, pumpkin patch and more. All will be tied together this year under the theme “Flashback to the 1970s.”

Continued on p. 20

• Get All the SAVINGS You Deserve from Local Businesses Great Olive Oil Flavor Combos • New Lighting Center Coming! • Go Nuts Play Day Your Dining: Ciao Bella • All About Skin Care • Treating Bunions • Don’t Derail Your Retirement Savings

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In This Issue

Right in Our Region ........................Cover & p. 20 Autumn on Parade Your Home .................................................. ..... 11 New Lighting Center Comes to Rockford Inspiration & Worship ......................................12 Who was Noah?

Your Kitchen .....................................................15 Let Your Imagination Lead on Flavor Combos Your Outings ..............................................16 & 17 New Glarus Events/Go Nuts Play Day Your Health ............................................. ...25 & 26 Treating Bunions/Patient-Specific Skin Care Your Fun ................................................... ......... 27

Restaurant of the Week ................................... 29 Ciao Bella Dining Locally .......................................... ........ 29

Tips ........................................................... ......... 31 Credit Scores Your Money .............................................. ......... 33 Don’t Derail Your Retirement Savings

Smart L iving Weekly ™

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes

Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Managing Editor Janine Pumilia Deputy Editor Sarah Soenke Assistant Editor Lindsey Gapen Senior Staff Writer/Promotions Coordinator Paul Anthony Arco Graphics Director Blake Nunes Graphic Designer Samantha Ryan Contributing Writers Rachel Shore, Peggy Werner General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes General Manager/Northwest Business Magazine Dave Marino Account Executives Brian Hughes, Kimberly Perkins Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes Website www.NWQSmartLiving.com Published by Hughes Media Corp.

222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104 Smart Living Weekly.

Copyright 2015 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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Castles and Kingdoms

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ne of the best-ever fall festivals has been happening in one of our region’s prettiest hometowns – Oregon, Ill., in Ogle County – for 45 years now. Our cover story fills you in on the details.

For my money, the beautiful drive along Route 2 between Rockford and Oregon is reason enough to attend this event, especially as the tree canopy shifts to autumn hues. Mother Nature is, after all, the main star of the season.

Coinciding with Autumn on Parade is the Olde English Faire at Stronghold Castle, also off Route 2, near Oregon. I grew up going to church camp at Stronghold and remember very clearly the thrill of discovering secret passageways and other delights inside the castle.

I thought about this when I delivered my 6-year-old great niece Michelle to a Stronghold day camp several mornings this summer. Children of every color and age group were romping across the grounds, many of them from Chicago, and I was glad to see that this very special place is enjoyed by so many people, these days, as a place of nature, discovery and worship.

The Tudor-style castle was built as a family home in 1930 by Walter Strong, then-owner of the Chicago Daily News.

Sadly, Strong died just a few months after it was completed. His family used the castle for several decades before selling it to the Blackhawk Presbytery in 1963. Since we have five ministers in my family, I’ve been to plenty of special events there.

If you haven’t been to Stronghold, the Olde English Faire is a great opportunity for the public to see it. Strolling minstrels and other costumed entertainers seem right at home against the backdrop of the stone castle perched high on limestone bluffs.

Why not drop in at the Faire on your way to or from Autumn on Parade?

Enjoy your week and plan some fun! ❚ Janine Pumilia Executive Editor

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Y H  G

New Lighting Gallery Opens Soon

By Lindsey Gapen, assistant editor ith four floors of furniture and other home goods, Benson Stone Co. is already a one-stop shop. Now it’s taking another big step by opening an expansive lighting department – one of the largest showrooms of its kind.

“The big-box stores seem large, but in reality they display a rather limited selection,” says company president Andy Benson. “We have by far the largest selection of both entry-level lighting and higher-design, better-quality lighting in the area. It’s more than 4,000 square feet of chandeliers, pendant lights, wall sconces, floor lamps, outdoor fixtures, landscape lighting and more.”

The showroom includes a mock kitchen with examples of the latest technologies for that room. Professionals at Benson educate customers about the

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benefits and drawbacks of various lighting types.

For example, “LED is far more efficient,” Benson says. “It’s longer-lasting than traditional lights, and there’s a wide range of color temperatures from which to choose. It’s definitely something to consider when you’re remodeling and putting in more permanent fixtures. We have a ‘lighting lab’ that shows the differences among many choices in lighting.”

Today’s energy-efficient options can light even the darkest recesses of cabinets and countertops.

“There’s a lot you can do besides the standard bulb in the ceiling, which used to be the only choice,” Benson says. “With more than 25 brands, such as Kichler, Minka, Hubbardton Forge and Schonbek Crystal, our new lighting center displays

many options for both indoor and outdoor lighting.”

The Benson Stone lighting gallery is scheduled to open this October. ❚

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

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I  W

Who Was Noah?

Scriptures to Read: Genesis chapters 6-8

M

ost of us know something about Noah; he’s a prophet revered by Christians, Jews and Muslims alike.

Russell Crowe and Hollywood aside, who was he? The Old Testament tells us Noah lived with faith in God at a time when evildoing was the norm.

Noah was a 10th generation descendant of Adam, well before men had received God’s law, and before judges or kings led God’s people. His name is said to mean “relief,” or “rest.”

Noah is prominent in the flood narrative. In brief: People had grown ever more evil and God decided to wipe them from the earth. He made an exception for Noah, who “walked with God” like his great grandfather Enoch had. Noah obeyed God’s detailed instructions on how to build a large boat and save a remnant of animals.

He and his wife, their three sons (Shem, Ham and Japheth) and sons’ wives lived on the ark for more than a year, during a great flood, before the ark lodged in the Ararat mountains (near today’s eastern Turkey).

After disembarking, Noah worshipped God first of all. God urged Noah’s family to re-populate the earth, which they did.

God made a rainbow as a sign of His promise to never again destroy mankind.

Many Christians believe the flood represents judgment, the ark grace. The ark’s single door represents one pathway to God’s grace, Jesus Christ the messiah.

Noah is mentioned elsewhere in the Bible by Ezekiel (Ez. 14:14), Jesus (Matthew 24:37-38), Peter (2 Peter 2:5), and in Hebrews 11, “the believer’s hall of fame.”

It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before.” – Hebrews 11:7a “

Themes to consider: God values faith and obedience; sin has consequences; God’s grace provides a way through impossible circumstances. ❚

This is the second in a series about major �igures of the Bible. To receive a free, weekly digital version of Smart Living Weekly, sign up at NWQSmartLiving.com. – Janine Pumilia 12

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Y K

Let Your Imagination Guide Flavor Combos

By Peggy Werner

G

ive people the opportunity to sample hundreds of herbs and spices and more than 75 olive oils and balsamic vinegars, and their imaginations go wild.

“We’re always so shocked with what people do with our oils and vinegars,” says Brandi Ducharme, co-owner of The Olive Oil Experience and Spice Galleria with her husband, Charles. “There are so many flavors and so much you can do with them.”

And more flavors are on the way.

New ones arriving this fall include Limonato (green lemon) olive oil; a Neapolitan Herb dark balsamic vinegar; and Gravenstein Apple, a light balsamic made with a tart apple native to Denmark. Other newer flavors include Dill olive oil, Juniper Berry balsamic, and a White Tarragon balsamic.

“Sometimes people are overwhelmed with all the choices when they first come

into the store,” says DuCharme. “They’re not prepared for what they see. I just let them look around and start thinking about what flavors will go with what foods. We can make recommendations, if necessary.

People can sample all oils, vinegars, and spices while in the store.”

One customer uses blueberry balsamic vinegar to top off a wedge of iceberg lettuce with blue cheese salad dressing; another couple won’t eat Chili without a drizzle of Persian Lime olive oil. Chili is also enhanced with a drizzle of Tuscan Herb or Roasted Garlic; some say White Truffle olive oil is great over Tomato Bisque Soup.

For other taste sensations, try Mushroom Sage, Butter Infused or Blood Orange olive oil with eggs. Maple balsamic can make all the difference when preparing Brussels sprouts. Milanese Gremalata is an Italian herb olive oil with a hint of

lemon that’s terrific on pasta salads, fish and vegetables.

“You have to think outside of the box, be creative and give it a try,” says DuCharme, whose stores are located at 6332 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park and in downtown Rockford at 328 E. State St. For more information, including recipes and store hours, go to theoliveoilexperience.com or call (815) 904-6120. ❚

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Y O

Find History, Rogues & Ruffians Oct. 10 & 11 T

he New Glarus Historical Society will host its Harvest Fest at the Swiss Historical Village Museum in New Glarus, Wis., on Sunday, Oct. 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine.

On the same weekend, the 8th annual Rogues & Ruffians Renaissance Faire will unfold just east of New Glarus on County Road W, on Saturday and Sunday.

At the Harvest Fest, families can view and participate in many old-time craft demonstrations such as making cheese in a copper kettle as big as a hot tub, rope-making, sausage- and sauerkrautmaking. Quilters, basketmakers and knitters will

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be hard at work, too, and Civil War reenactors will be performing..

Guides and other demonstrators will be available to answer questions about the artifacts displayed in the 14 buildings on the beautiful, decorated grounds of the museum.

At the Renaissance Faire, find singers, musicians, jugglers, thespians and other entertainers. Military and other reenactors will show off their great weaponry and the joys of living during the enlightened Renaissance times. Youths will enjoy the Kids Kingdom, where they can try to siege the castle or attack a ship with a Catapult.

The whole family can throw knives & axes, shoot arrows or take part in a game of Spanish Towers.

Enjoy a large variety of beers at the Beer Garden, including New Glarus brews, of course! Take a pony ride

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through the trails and imagine yourself as a charming prince, a beautiful princess or brave knight. Entertainers, crafters, artisans, food merchants and others will happily trade their wares for your gold.

Learn more at swisshistoricalvillage. com and agatheringofroguesandruffians. com. ❚

Y O

7th Annual Go Nuts! Golf Play Day Set Oct. 2

By Janine Pumilia, managing editor

P

aul Arco had one goal in mind once he finished treatment for testicular cancer in 2008.

“I wanted to create a way for men to discuss their health issues,” says Arco.

“It’s no secret that we don’t always take the best care of ourselves, whether it’s ignoring symptoms or failing to make appointments with the doctor. I thought we needed a special event to pave the way for that dialogue.”

That event is called the “Go Nuts!”

Golf Play Day. The purpose of the golf event, which welcomes men and women, is to raise awareness of men’s cancer – testicular or other – with all proceeds benefiting Healing Pathways Cancer Resource Center, a local nonprofit organization that offers complimentary programs and services to cancer patients and survivors.

The seventh annual Go Nuts! Golf Play Day, presented by MercyRockford Health System, is Friday, Oct. 2, at Timber Pointe Golf Club, 5750 Woodstock Road, Poplar Grove, Ill., with a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m.

More than 8,000 men are diagnosed with testicular cancer each year. The disease occurs most often in men between the ages of 20 and 39, and is the most common form of cancer in men between the ages of 15 and 34. The exact causes of testicular cancer are not known. Several factors increase a man’s chance of developing this disease, including congenital abnormalities, history of testicular cancer, and family history of testicular cancer.

In addition to MercyRockford Health System, sponsors for this year’s Go Nuts! event include OSF Saint Anthony Medi-

Dave Severing, Collin Severing, Mark Williamson and John Almond were one of the many foursomes to take part in last year’s Go Nuts! Golf Play Day at Timber Pointe Golf Club.

cal Center, SwedishAmerican Regional Cancer Center, First Northern Credit Union, Rock River Valley Blood Center, V2 Marketing Communications, Northwest Quarterly Magazine and WXRX 104.9.

The cost to play is $100 per person.

That includes greens fee, cart, dinner, and t-shirt. To register, contact Healing Pathways at (815) 977-4123, or visit healingpathwayscrc.org. ❚

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Autumn Parade Continued from Cover

“This event has been held since the 1970s, so we thought the nostalgic theme for this year was appropriate,” says Marseyne Snow, festival committee president and parade chairperson.

John Travolta and Elvis impersonators, a disco queen face painter and jugglers are among the groovy performers who’ll be part of the free entertainment.

The theme will also be evident in the 100plus units participating in the Harvest Time Parade on Sunday at 1 p.m. Starting at Jefferson and Eighth streets, the parade will wrap around the courthouse and end at Adams and Seventh streets. The Jesse White Tumblers and South Shore Drill Team will return for this festival tradition, with South Shore slated for a special post-parade show outside the Oregon Library.

Photos courtesy of Ogle County Newspapers

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The festival’s 45-year milestone also prompted the festival committee to introduce a few new events to this year’s schedule. Casey’s General Store will host the first doughnut-eating contest on Saturday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Participants have the chance to compete in three age groups for prize money. Then, sports fans and history buffs can watch Oregon’s own Ganymedes play the DuPage County Plowboys in a vintage base ball game, using the game’s original rules, at 1 p.m.

The first day of the festival ends with a newly expanded version of Autumn on the Vine from 5-8 p.m.

“We’re doing a Create a Canvas that’s going to be in conjunction with the Oregon Chamber of Commerce’s wine tasting and fundraising event, Autumn on the Vine,” says Snow. “So, if someone wants to have a glass of wine, while creating a keepsake canvas painting under the instruction of a professional, they have the option to purchase tickets for both.”

The farmers market will run both

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days of the festival, offering “handmade, homemade and homegrown items as well as some other unique items to purchase,” says Snow. From 9 a.m.-4 p.m. both days, the Stronghold Camp & Retreat Center

R  O R will host the Olde English Faire, inviting visitors to explore the grounds for a trip back to medieval times. Costumed entertainers and merchants will roam about, and attendees can sign up for a tour of Stronghold Castle.

Sunday begins with the 10th annual 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run at 8 a.m. in Oregon Park West. Then, the Duck Dash, the festival’s final event, immediately follows the Harvest Time Parade at 3:45 p.m.

The Autumn on the Vine and Create a Canvas, kids’ fun zone, 5K and 1-Mile fun runs, and Olde English Faire are the only attractions with an admission fee during the volunteer-run festival.

More than 16 food vendors, run by local nonprofit groups, will fill out the festival’s food court, located on Jefferson Street between Fifth and Fourth streets.

Many participating organizations, such as Boy Scout troops, Oregon Kiwanis Club and the Oregon Lions Club, have been returning to the festival for decades.

“We try not to have duplications

of food, so each booth is offering something different, from classic festival fare to seasonal treats, like hot cider and apple fritters,” says Snow. “For a lot of participating nonprofits, this is their main fundraiser of the year.”

The event first started when seven Oregon volunteers put on a farmers market in 1970.

Since moving to its current location and permanent date on the first full weekend of October, the festival has grown tremendously, while remaining entirely volunteer-run. With attractions and events for every age and interest group, Autumn on Parade is designed to bring the people

of Ogle County together, year after year.

“It’s good for the local businesses, but it’s also a time where people come back to Oregon after growing up here,” says Snow. “Across the city, people have a lot of additional family events that weekend.”

The festival runs from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. For more information, visit autumnonparade.org. ❚

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Experience Downtown Rockford

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Y H

Bunions: Painfully Common but Treatable

By Rockford Ambulatory Surgery Center

R

enaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci called the foot a “masterpiece of engineering and a work of art.” That masterpiece takes a beating even when we aren’t playing or exercising.

Foot disorders are a leading cause of disability in older adults. Just as your house has a foundation, feet are the body’s foundation. When they hurt, your whole body hurts.

A bunion is an enlargement of bone or tissue around the joint at the base of the big toe. This can damage adjacent toes and produce swelling and tenderness.

Painful bunions interfere with walking and exercising. These symptoms usually worsen if the bunion evades treatment.

Bunions are linked to family history. Foot structure is hereditary, and some types are more bunion-prone than others.

Low arches, flat feet and unusually flexible joints increase the risk.

Occupations that involve standing or walking are associated with bunions.

Arthritis, which damages the cartilage within the joint, may play a role.

Hormonal changes during pregnancy loosen the ligaments and flatten the feet.

More than 30 percent of the population in Western nations experiences bunions, compared with about 3 percent in countries without Western footwear.

Women are up to 10 times more likely to have bunions than men. Narrow, pointedtoe shoes, high heels and ill-fitting foot-

wear exacerbate the problem.

Pain relief is possible without surgery. Warm soaks, ice packs and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may help.

You may be able to prevent bunions from progressing by wearing shoes with lots of toe room and using shoe pads and supports for protection and comfort.

When nonsurgical treatments are not enough, surgery can ease the pain and correct any related foot deformity. Bunionectomies are frequently performed at Rockford Ambulatory Surgery Center, 1016 Featherstone Road in Rockford. The surgery generally involves an incision in the top or side of the big toe joint and the removal or realignment of soft tissue and bone. Severely deformed joints often require stabilization with tiny wires, stitches, screws or plates. Implant insertion of all or part of an artificial joint may be called for. ❚

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Y H

Patient-Specific Skin Care Now Available

By Lindsey Gapen, assistant editor

C

aring for your skin can take a lot of products. With moisturizers, creams, gels and washes, it’s easy to spend more than what you’d wish for a healthy glow.

Dr. Stanley Kovak of Kovak Dermatology and Laser Institute, 195 Buckley Drive, Rockford, thinks enough is enough. That’s why he released a new product line: Dr. Kovak Skin Care.

“We found that a lot of companies kept raising their prices to ridiculous levels, and it became more and more expensive to have patients receive good skin care products,” Kovak says. “So we designed our own line of products to benefit patients at a reasonable price. Instead of paying $450 for a moisturizer that lasts 30 days, I said ‘What about one that’s $80 that does the exact same thing?’”

Kovak didn’t want to carry generic products, since people have different skin

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conditions that require different kinds of treatments.

“Now we can focus on the individual issues a lot more easily,” Kovak says. “We can put more chemicals in one particular product to focus on a specific concern. It’s very helpful for the patient.”

For example, one of the washes in Kovak’s skin care line contains micro-beads that gently exfoliate skin.

“This would be an example of a good product for someone with blotchy or spotted skin,” Kovak says. “It has everything you want, from polyphenol to CoQ10 to green tea.”

Kovak would give liquid-based products to patients with more oily skin, and heavier creams to a patient with drier skin. Figuring out individual needs is an important step in the treatment process.

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“This is unique because we’re able to focus our treatment plan a little better than if we were using other products that are available,” Kovak says. ❚

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Y F

World Music Festival Sept. 23, 12:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 6 p.m., 7:30 p.m.

Live performances. Free (ticket req.). Young Auditorium, UW-Whitewater, 903 W. Main St., Whitewater, Wis. (262) 472-2222, www.uww.edu.

I Love Gospel Music Convention (ILGMC) Sept. 25-Sept. 27, Fri. 7 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Attend a celebration of all gospel genres: urban, traditional, contemporary and more. Free.

Clock Tower Resort, 7801 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 670-1278, facebook.com/ILGMCRFD. World War II Behind the Lines Sept. 25, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Interact with reenactors, get a close-up look at vehicles, experience displays and demonstrations. $15.

Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford (815) 397-9112, midwayvillage.com.

Oktoberfest Sept. 25-27. Live music, food, wagon rides, chainsaw carving, family fun. Downtown New Glarus, swisstown.com.

Trivia on the Terrace Sept. 25, 7-11 p.m. 95.3’s Jeff Andrews will aim to stump you and your friends with a variety of fun questions. Snacks and cash bar available. $20/$15 members. Burpee Museum of Natural History, 737 N. Main St., Rockford. (815) 9653443, burpee.org.

Charlotte’s Web: Corky Siegel & Chamber Blues Sept. 25, 7:30. Internationally acclaimed blues harmonica master Corky Siegel will bring together classical and blues into what the Chicago Tribune calls “a match made in heaven.” $35/$6 students. Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center, 406 N. Main St., Rockford, mendelssohnpac.org.

Autumn Pioneer Festival Sept. 26- 27. Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Travel back to the 1800s and learn about the lifestyles and crafts of the day. Live music and food vendors. Roger Gustafson Nature Center Festival Grounds, 603 N. Appleton Road, Belvidere, Ill., bccdil.org.

World War II Days Sept. 26-27, Sat. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.4 p.m. Watch realistic battle re-enactments, see displays and demonstrations. Food and refreshments available. $14 adult; $7 child, members free. Midway Village Museum, Rockford (815) 397-9112, midwayvillage.com.

Corky Siegel & Chamber Blues will perform Sept. 25 at Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center.

USO-Style Dance Sept. 26, 7-11 p.m. Swing dance to 1940s music performed by Little Big Band. Concessions and bar available. $7. Indoor Sports Center, 8800 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park, Ill., (815) 397-9112, midwayvillage.com.

Speakeasy Murder Mystery Sept. 26, 6-8 p.m. Actively explore Tinker Cottage while participating in a murder mystery. Light refreshments included. Registration req., $25.

Tinker Swiss Cottage, 411 Kent St., Rockford, (815) 964-2424, tinkercottage.com.

Scene Peek: A Celebration of the Arts Oct. 1, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Celebrate the arts with performances, food, beverages and friends. $30 members, $40 non-members. Veterans Memorial Hall, 211 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 969-1999.

Scarecrow Harvest Festival Oct. 3, 12-5 p.m. Create-your-own scarecrow, square dance in a historic barn, take a horsedrawn wagon ride, participate in crafts and games. Live entertainment by Pint Size Polka.

Food available for purchase. $7 adult; $5 child; members free. Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford, Ill. (815) 397-9112, midwayvillage.com.

Harvest Fest Oct. 11, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. View and participate in cheese-making, sausage- and sauerkraut-making, rope-making. Spend time with Civil War reenactors and see an actual Civil War cannon. Food samples and bake sale. Swiss Historical Village Museum, 612 7th Ave., New Glarus, Wis., (608) 527-2317. ❚

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Restaurant of the Week

Ciao Bella Ristorante

By Paul Anthony Arco, senior staff writer

T

alia Castrogiovanni smiles when she thinks back to her first five years as owner of Ciao Bella, 6500 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park, Ill. “We have a loyal group of customers,” she says. “And we’re enticing younger customers to experience Ciao Bella. Many things have helped to draw younger customers, including adding entertainment, and offering drink specials and free appetizers in the bar Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m.”

Lunch and dinner specialties include pizza, pasta, salads and seafood, including seasonal dishes of halibut and sea bass.

There’s also salmon Izzabella, grilled and topped with a light lemon cream sauce, chopped asparagus, capers, tomatoes and a side of garlic allioli linguini.

“We serve home-cooked Italian food with deep red sauces, hearty soups and homemade pastas,” Castrogiovanni says. “Our tomato sauces start here in the kitchen.”

For lunch, Ciao Bella offers a $7 sandwich and endless soup.

“Business people can get their meal within 10 minutes and still make it back to work within the hour,” says Castrogiovanni.

The restaurant’s walls are finished in aux fresco and painted in rich gold and burgundy. Tables and chairs are cinnamon oak.

Ciao Bella owner Talia Castrogiovanni, with dad Nick and brother Nikko.

Recessed, track and pendant lighting enhance the atmosphere, while soft music completes the soothing ambiance. “I wanted a place that was cozy and comfortable,” Castrogiovanni says.

Melody Roccaforte of Rockford has been going to Ciao Bella since it first opened. “They do so many things that are outstanding,” she says. “The staff is wonderful, and the bartenders are very personable. And the atmosphere is amazing. It’s like the Italian version of ‘Cheers.’ When someone walks in, they know almost everyone in the bar. They always look up and say ‘hello.’”

Ciao Bella is open Mon.-Fri. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sat. 5-9 p.m. ❚

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sun 8am-5pm. $.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In the Spotlight The Rockford Brewing Co.

T

he Rockford Brewing Co. restaurant, inside the Prairie Street Brewhouse, 200 Prairie St., Rockford, serves lunch and dinner seven days a week, and offers daily drink and food specials.

On the menu are appetizers like shrimp & avocado ceviche, truffle fries, a hummus plate and Poutine, made with Yukon gold fries, screw city light braised pork belly, cheese curds and herbed bacon gravy, along with soups and salads.

“Handhelds” are sandwiches like pulled pork, screw city light corned beef, turkey club, and a BLT made with a one-third pound patty, with options of cherrywood bacon, and/or duck bacon.

Entrees include fish and chips, ribeye steak and Gado Gado, an almondcrusted tofu dish. Rockford Brewing Co. is open Sun.-Wed. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.,Thurs. to midnight, and Fri.-Sat. to 2 a.m. ❚

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T  I

Credit Quiz

1. Your credit score is based on five factors. Which is the largest, accounting for 35 percent of your score? a. How long you’ve had a credit history b. The kinds of credit you have (mortgage, car loan, credit card etc.) c. Your payment history d. Your reputation as a nice person 2. Which statement is not true? a. Closing all of my credit cards will raise my credit score. b. I can get a free copy of my credit report every year. c. I must pay to get a free copy of my credit score. d. I will pay more interest overall if I maintain a poor credit score.

Answers: 1. c. Your payment history 2. a. It may seem odd, but keeping credit lines open but paid up is the best action, since closing a card will negatively affect your debt-to-credit ratio. ❚

Mortgage Advisor Lenders Byron Bank

Rate

byronbank.com

APR*

(815) 234-2561 Mo. Payment*

15 Yr Fixed

30 Yr Fixed

30 Yr Jumbo FHA/VA & ARM

2.98%

3.80%

$982

$664

$672

3.36%

4.34%

5.02%

3.75%

Please Call

Smart Living Weekly Magazine’s Mortgage Advisor is intended to provide you with a guide to securing the mortgage you seek. Quoted rates are supplied by the institutions (as of Sept. 21, 2015) and can change daily. Interest rates and monthly payment installments are based on a $150,000 loan with a 5% down payment and 0 points; FHA with a 3.5% down payment and 0 points. APR is based on a good faith estimate of prepaid finance charges. Your APR will vary according to the specifics of your transactions. Contact the bank, credit union or S&L directly for their most current rates. The mortgage rate you obtain will be based upon your credit rating, loan amount and standing with that particular financial institution. * APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Mo. Payment = The monthly principal and interest payment.

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Bad Behaviors That Hurt Retirement Savings M

ore than half of Americans are worried about running out of money when they retire, yet a staggering 80 percent don’t have the knowledge they need to successfully build a nest egg and make it last throughout their retirement, according to The American College 2014 Retirement Income Survey. Yet by changing just five basic behaviors, Americans can improve their retirement-saving habits – and their likelihood of staying financially secure throughout retirement.

1. Underestimating life expectancy.

Better health care and increased life expectancy mean you may live 20 years, 30 or even longer as a retiree. This means it’s not only important to save for retirement, but to understand how to make your savings last throughout your lifetime.

2. Procrastinating about retirement saving. According to a poll by the Employee Benefit Research Institute, 53 percent of workers cite cost of living

and day-to-day expenses as the top reasons why they don’t save for retirement.

Yet the sooner you begin saving, and the more you save, the more money your investments can earn.

3. Failing to expect and prepare for the worst. Job loss, illness, accident, the death of a spouse – many things can impact your ability to save for retirement, and your income during your retirement years. While it is human nature to hope nothing bad will ever happen, it’s important to be realistic when planning for retirement.

4. Giving in to the urge to follow others. Resist the temptation to “keep up with the Joneses.” Only buy what you can afford. Staying on track for retirement often means resisting peer pressure.

5. Allowing “I want it now” thinking to impact retirement savings. An occasional splurge may be OK, but don’t get yourself into a spot where you think

you have to tap into your retirement savings to fund impulse purchases.

“Putting money aside for retirement while you’re still working is vital, but it’s only part of the solution,” says Jamie McInnes, senior vice president of total retirement solutions at Prudential Retirement.

“By learning to recognize how common human behaviors may be sabotaging your retirement security, you stand a much better chance of sticking to a solid savings plan that can keep you financially secure throughout your retirement.” ❚

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Source: Brandpoint

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Issue 1