Smart Living Weekly August 21, 2019

Smart L iving Weekly Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • Rockford Region/Beloit/Freeport 95¢ • Aug. 21, 2019

™

Right in Our Region

Enjoy our Parks & Preserves!

815 Outdoors Makes it Easy

See Page 16

Choose the Right Carpet It’s Time for Greek Fest!

Make Meal Time Easier There’s an Apple for That

FREE WIN!

4 Tickets to Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens

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!

Smart Living Weekly

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In This Issue

Right in Our Region ........................Cover & p. 16 815 Outdoors Makes Recreation Easier Your Home .................................................. ..... 11 All About Carpet Inspiration & Worship ......................................12 Servant Leadership Your Kitchen ...............................................15, 19 There’s An Apple for That; Grilling Tips Your Outing ............................................. .......... 21 Greek Fest!

Your Community ............................................. ..23 The Joy of Learning to Read Your Health ............................................. .......... 23 A New Way To Do Chiropractic Your Fun ................................................... ......... 25

Restaurant of the Week ................................... 26 The New Mary’s Market Dining Locally .......................................... ........ 26

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 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 2019 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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Our Mission F

or more than 15 years, we’ve been encouraging you to commit more of your shopping dollars to locally owned businesses.

Why? Because they make our regional economy stronger than big-box stores ever can.

How? A much larger share of every dollar spent at a locally owned business stays in our community. Most dollars spent at a bigbox store immediately fly off to a corporate headquarters out of state. According to the recent Small Business Economic Impact Study from American Express, an average two-thirds ($0.67) of every dollar spent at small businesses stays in the local community.

Local businesses also build our unique identity in ways that chain stores just can’t do.

You’ll find an Olive Garden or McDonalds nearly anywhere you go, but you won’t find a Baci’s or Lino’s or Irish Rose any place except in Rockford, Ill. We’re witnessing a rise in the yearning to shop local. More people are shopping for food at local farmers markets and the demand for locally crafted beers, wines and liquors is up.

Many small businesses that started out with booths at Rockford City Market now occupy storefronts. Wonderful new restaurants and shops have sprung up at our region’s festivals.

Now that summer is winding down, holiday shopping will soon be on our minds. Why not decide right now to intentionally dedicate some of your holiday shopping dollars to locally owned stores and restaurants?

A study released last year by the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) and American Express found that 9 in 10 consumers believe it’s more important than ever to support small businesses. It also found that 83 percent of shoppers plan to do at least some portion of their holiday shopping at a small, independently owned retail shops or restaurants, either in person or online.

Yes, the big-box takeover has made it impossible to find certain items in locally owned stores. But local businesses still sell great gift items and gift certificates. The advertisers found on these pages and in Northwest Quarterly Magazine are among the finest.

Have a great week! ❚ Janine Pumilia SLW Editor

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You Deserve Linda’s Unsurpassed Service Linda Elliott, Gambino Realtors Here’s What Linda’s Customers Have to Say:

“Linda was highly engaged and attentive to our needs and concerns. Very punctual and professional. Had a keen 6th sense of the market which assisted in selling our home quickly.”

Curt & Kay Johnson 815-988-8954 • lelliott@gogambino.com.

See more of my testimonials at my website: GoGambino.com/lelliott

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Y H  G

Carpet Shopping 101: Know the Basics

By Janine Pumilia

S

ure, the new hard surface floors are stylish, but most of us living in a four-season climate still want cozy, soft carpet in at least some of our rooms.

Shopping for carpet can be confusing, when so much of it looks the same to the untrained eye.

A good salesperson will first ask about your lifestyle as related to flooring. What’s the setting for which you’ll be using this carpet? How many children do you have?

What types of pets? Do you entertain?

“Everyone has specific needs,” says Kevin Rose, President of Carpetland USA, 326 N. Alpine Road, Rockford. “It’s nice to try to tailor the correct product for a customer’s needs – not pick something a salesperson thinks is going to fit into everyone’s needs.”

Next, think about fiber. The most expensive, softest and most durable carpets tend to be name-brand nylons, Rose says. Then, the next level would be poly-

esters, made from recycled plastic bottles. They’re extremely stainresistant and durable, with softness that has improved vastly as plastics technology has changed in recent years.

Three important factors help to measure carpet quality: Density: That’s the number of stitches per inch. More means the fibers will support each other better and resist crushing.

Twist: This is the number of yarn twists per inch, and perhaps the key consideration, Rose says. The tighter a carpet’s twist, the springier and more resilient it will be.

Face weight: This refers to how many ounces of fiber are used per square yard of carpet.

Backings, also, can help to indicate a carpet’s quality, and especially its moisture resistance. If you have pets, consider

carpet with moisture-proof backing.

Also, realize the importance of good padding. Some carpet pads are even topped with a moisture-proof membrane.

This is of special interest to pet owners.

“Pad is the best dollar spent in carpet,” Rose says. “It’s another vital element to the durability of the carpet. It takes the shock absorption, so it helps in resiliency of the fiber. If you’re going to save a buck or two, don’t do it in your pad.” ❚

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I  W

Servant Leadership

W

e know from scripture that God despises arrogance and exhalts the humble. For the most part, our culture does just the opposite ... exhalts the noisy self-promoters and ignores the humble. Most worldly leaders measure themselves by the money and power they wield, not the wellbeing of their people.

This is nothing new and came as no surprise to Jesus in his day, either. When a few of his disciples began quibbling over their pecking order, Jesus quickly set them straight.

Mark 10:42-45 (ESV): “And Jesus called them [the 12 disciples] to him and said, ‘You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’”

In Luke 14:11 (ESV) Jesus said, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

And in Philippians 2:3 Paul instructs, “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.”

If anyone had the right to promote himself in large fashion, it was Jesus Christ. He chose instead to model the behavior he wishes us to follow.

We are in the world but not of it. We follow the will of God. Our humility lies in knowing that everything we are and all that we have and every breath we take belongs to God. Our only greatness is the presence of God working through us.

John 14:21-24: “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him." ❚ – Janine Pumilia

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Y K

Yes! There’s an Apple for That!

I

f you’ve ever stood in the produce aisle and wondered what apple to select among the many varieties available, you’re not alone. Apple varieties can differ greatly when it comes to taste, texture, cooking and storage properties.

Using the right apple can make or break your recipe. For example, some of the best baking apples are Granny Smith and Pink Lady because these apples hold up particularly well under high heat, retaining a firmer texture. The special Pinata apple by Stemilt Growers is particularly well suited for baking, as it holds up to heat and boasts classic apple flavor with a tropical twist.

For fruit platters, snacks and appetizers featuring fresh, sliced or chopped apples, Honeycrisp is a fantastic option because of its incredible fracturing crunch and a refreshing sweetness similar to fresh apple cider. For whipping up a classic chicken salad, try Fuji or Golden Delicious apples, which are among the

sweetest around – the extra sweetness contrasts with the savory ingredients for a more complex flavor.

For more recipes, visit appleforthat.com.

Two-Minute Apple Tart Cook time: 25 minutes Servings: 8

1 refrigerated, ready-to-use pie crust 1 pound apples, cored and sliced 2 TB cold butter 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1 tsp. cinnamon

Preparation

Heat oven to 425 F. Remove pie crust from refrigerator and warm to room temperature, about 15-20 minutes. Unroll crust and place it on large baking sheet.

Arrange sliced apples on crust, leaving about two inches of space around edge.

Chop cold butter into small bits and scatter over apples. Mix sugar and cinnamon together and sprinkle over apples. Fold two-inch section of open pie crust over apples – this will not cover apples, but contain them inside crust.

Bake 20-25 minutes until crust is golden brown and apples are just soft. ❚ Source: Family Features

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R  O R

815 Outside Helps You Navigate Our Parks B

By Peggy Werner ecoming healthier in body, mind, and spirit is as simple as going outdoors to enjoy one of the many public parks and forest preserves on 20,000 beautiful acres in our region.

Those who question where to go and what to do need look no further than 815 Outside, a project launched this spring that involves the county and nature organizations working together to promote adventure and help people to have fun outdoors.

The website at 815outside.com helps people find what’s available by location, activity preferences and people types.

The 815 Outside Facebook page has a list of free or low-cost events, plus tips and ideas for outdoor recreation.

Ann Wasser, director of Severson Dells Nature Center, says both sites will be regularly updated and she expects the

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number of listings to grow as more people take advantage of the information provided. She hopes more and more people will explore areas of the county they haven’t visited or don’t know about.

“If you’re not used to being out in nature, you may not know where to go or what to do, and that’s where 815 Outside is helpful, because people can find all the information they need in one place,” she says.

For example, Cedar Cliff became a forest preserve last year and is a former farm that has a wooded area. The area where crops once were planted will become prairie. The 167-acre property is located along the Rock River in the southern part of the county near the Ogle County line and has 2 miles of trails with more in the works.

Jamie Johannsen, director of

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marketing and community relations for the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County, says the high dome-like cliffs provide a great place to view picturesque vistas of the Rock River.

“This area was a famous picnic spot in the 1930s and ’40s, when the woods were not so dense. So, people have enjoyed this area for a long time, but now it is officially a public property,” she says.

Johannsen says her hopes for 815 Outside are to promote healthier lifestyles and well-being by incorporating outdoors in everyone’s life plan.

“Our natural resources are one of the great assets of living in Winnebago County and a lot of people don’t take advantage of what we have here. These public areas belong to people and are supported by taxpayers, but it’s not a part of everyone’s lifestyle. A lot of people know they

R  O R

should get outdoors more and think they will, but we want people to act on their plans and make being outdoors part of their lives year round,” she says.

Wasser is one of the organizers of 815 Outside and said the idea grew out of Severson Dells’ annual fundraiser called “Unplug to Connect,” which emphasized the benefits of disconnecting from screens and spending time in nature. Winnebago County Board Chairman Frank Haney was at the fundraiser and spearheaded the idea for 815 Outside, saying the county’s natural assets are “one of the best kept secrets.”

Johannsen notes that many of the same people regularly take advantage of nature offerings, which she hopes will have wider appeal in the future because of the creation of 815 Outside. For quite some time, she has also worked with healthcare providers to get their clients and employees involved in nature.

With the recent expansion of all three health care systems in the Rockford area, it’s only natural that people will be more conscientious of their health, she says.

Research has shown that getting outdoors will help people to relax, lose

weight, be inspired and improve overall health. However, in spite of the many natural resources available, Winnebago County is ranked the third unhealthiest county in the state, according to Illinois Public Health Department statistics.

Improved tourism is another goal of 815 Outside, which works to attract the attention of people living outside of the county who are looking for places to bike, hike, canoe, kayak and enjoy other recreational opportunities.

Jack Armstrong, a nature educator and board member for both Severson Dells Nature Center and Rockford Park District, says “Getting away from screens and being outside helps kids learn better and improves their attention span.”

815 Outside partners include Winnebago County, Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, Severson Dells Nature Center, Natural Land Institute, Forest Preserves of Winnebago County, Nature at the Confluence, Rockford Park District and Klehm Arboretum. ❚

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Y K

Expert Tips for Great Grilling Results

By Peggy Werner

T

here’s still plenty of time left to enjoy grilling before winter weather.

“Nothing says great weather like barbequing,” says Jarrod Bush, owner of Countryside Meats & Deli, 781 Highgrove Place.

Countryside is a full-service meat market, specializing in top quality Midwestern beef, poultry and pork for individuals and large parties, as can be seen in the fully stocked, clean, organized and attractive 20-foot-long display case. And to enhance meat flavors, there is a wide array of seasonings, sauces, rubs, and marinades.

With more than 20 years of experience, Bush helps people make the right choices when cooking with meat.

In this opinion, the best meats to grill are burgers, brats and chicken. Steaks are a bit trickier because you need to sear the

outside of the meat with the hottest temperature before cooking it slowly to the doneness you want to achieve.

“There’s really nothing you can’t put on the grill if you have the patience.

A meat thermometer is every cook’s best friend, if you want to nail it perfectly,” he says.

To help control temperatures on the grill, it’s a good idea to layer charcoals so you have a hot zone for searing, a medium zone for cooking, and a cool zone for resting meat, which is necessary before cutting into it to keep in flavorful juices.

Vent controls and the height of the grate

also helps control temperature.

Cooking too fast and too hot is the biggest mistake people make when grilling, he says, adding that the most flavorful and tender meats require slow cooking at lower temperatures.

Countryside also has a wide variety of sides to go with barbequed meat such as cole slaw, broccoli slaw, baked beans, potato salad, macaroni salad, Italian pasta salad, and creamed and pickled herring, The store offers weekly advertised specials, in-house specials, and has “oven ready” meals also available. Other specialties include cheese and cheese spreads, sauces, dips, dressings, and Boar’s Head luncheon meats.

Gourmet items include 25 varieties of bratwursts, stuffed chicken breasts, stuffed mushrooms, crab cakes, twice baked potatoes and garlic cheese bread.

All food is prepared onsite. ❚

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Y C

Celebrating Learners at The Literacy Council E very day is a day to celebrate at The Literacy Council, where dedicated volunteers meet with learners to help them read, write and absorb the English language. As friendships grow, tutors share expertise and learners build selfconfidence. The lives of both are changed forever.

This past May, The Literacy Council celebrated the achievements of adult learners at Project WRITE-ON!, a program held at The North Suburban Library in Loves Park. This annual event showcases learners’ writing that has come to life. Tutors help learners to write an entry of their choice. Each year the stories are bound into a book. This year there were more than 70 submissions for the book.

Participants look forward to seeing their published stories and have an opportunity to read them aloud to their families, tutors and peers. It’s a very special moment for both learner and tutor as it

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Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White awards learner Thanaa Alhasan with the Spotlight on Achievement Award during a ceremony at the Illinois State Library in Springfield. At right is her tutor, Lynn Alberts. The Rockford-area women met through The Literacy Council.

reflects the hours of hard work, growth and achievement they shared.

Another highlight of Project WRITEON! is presenting the Melton E. Taylor Award for outstanding learner. This year’s recipient was Thanaa Alhasan.

Also in May, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White awarded Alhasan the Spotlight on Achievement Award during

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a ceremony at the Illinois State Library in Springfield. Her tutor, Lynn Alberts, accompanied her.

“I am honored to congratulate these outstanding students for their hard work and determination to attain lifelong reading and learning skills,” White said.

There are more than 44,000 people living in the council’s 3-county service area without a high school diploma or GED. Without that achievement, there are few jobs available to them and none pays enough to sustain day-to-day living.

This elevates the crime rate, the number of children starting school with low literacy skills and the tax money needed to support public assistance programs.

The Literacy Council invites the public to celebrate learning by becoming a tutor and helping a learner to change his or her life. Learn more by calling (815) 963-7323, ext. 18 or by e-mailing Bonnie at bonnie@theliteracycouncil.org. ❚

Y O

Greek Fest Welcomes You Sept. 7 & 8

By Janine Pumilia

I

t’s that time of year when our friends at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 108 N. 5th St., Rockford, throw open their doors to welcome visitors with delicious traditional food, live music, ethnic dancing, fun and games for all ages. This year’s Greek Fest is Saturday and Sunday Sept. 7 & 8. Admission is free.

“Hospitality is an important part of Greek culture,” says Anne Panos, lifetime member of the church and a longtime organizer of Greek Fest. “We like to share our cuisine and socialize with others in our downtown location. It’s always a fun time.”

Most of the food is prepared on site or brought in from church members’ kitchens. Among the delicious offerings: • Gyros, a blend of seasoned beef and lamb, onions, tomato, and tzatziki sauce cradled in a warm pita bread.

• Pastitsio, a layered baked macaroni and ground beef dish topped with béchamel sauce.

• The Souvlaki Platter, tender grilled pork kabobs nestled in rice pilaf.

• Athenian Chicken, a split breast with olive oil, lemon, and savory spices served with rice pilaf, Greek salad, and warm pita bread.

• Loukaniko, a seasoned Greek sausage served with tzatziki sauce in warm pita bread.

• Greek Salad, with cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, Kalamata olives and feta cheese.

In the bakery you’ll find loukoumades, a fried dough drenched in honey and topped with powdered sugar, cinnamon and/or walnuts. There will also be baklava sundaes.

The band Men of Our Times will perform Saturday night beginning at 8 p.m. and Greek music and dance will be per-

formed throughout the weekend. Dancers will perform at 2 and 6 p.m. each day.

Guided tours of the church, with its lovely Byzantine iconography, are also given throughout the weekend.

Raffle tickets will be sold both days and a marketplace will sell Greek items.

“It’s very relaxing to come get a table at the taverna, order some Greek wine or beer, maybe an appetizer like fried octopus or saganaki, then linger over a wonderful meal as you socialize and watch the dancers,” says Campos.

Learn more about Greek Fest at RockfordGreekFest.com. ❚

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Y H

How Is Your Central Nervous System?

By Peggy Werner

I

t’s always a good idea to take a personal inventory of bad health habits and how to change them – all leading to better health.

Although we all know the benefits of stress management, proper nutrition, rest and exercise, we may not be aware of how vital a healthy central nervous system is to experiencing success in all these areas, says Chiropractor Kory Spear of The Joint, at Forest Plaza, at 6139 E. State St., Rockford, next to Kohl’s.

“It all works hand in hand,” says Spear. “If you’re stressed, you can’t sleep well; if you can’t sleep well, you can’t handle stress. If a person isn’t eating right and getting enough rest, energy levels suffer and they’re more prone to injury.

I believe wellness is about continual improvement and is not a goal, but an ongoing process.”

Chiropractors specialize in the proper alignment of the spine to control pain, tightness, inflammation, tenderness and other problems.

The spine and brain make up the central nervous system, which is the main communication center in the body. Unless everything is in alignment, the communication lines are impaired and the body can’t function at optimal levels, Spear says.

People are not always aware they need an adjustment, but often see improvement when they have one, he says.

The Joint is a new concept in chiropractic care, with 440 locations nationwide that offer more affordable and convenient adjustment appointments by not accepting insurance. The Joint accepts walk-ins from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday.

Current specials include a $29 new patient offer for a consultation, exam and adjustment, as well as a “wellness package” of four visits per month for $59 – good at any location.

New patients may call to schedule an appointment, but follow-up visits are walkin only.

The Joint staff includes Clinic Owner and Director Dr. Dan Cammarano of Aurora and Illinois Board Certified Chiropractors Dr. John Staranko, and Spear.

Learn more at thejoint.com or call the clinic at (815) 977-4316. ❚

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Y F Autumn just might be the best time of year. The sun is a little lower (and prettier), the air is a little crisper (and cleaner) and the leaves cascade down in colorful splendor. This fall, spend some quality time in the fun, nearby, value-packed Rockford Region. See stunning fall colors at

Real. Original.

SM

Anderson Japanese Gardens, the finest in North America. Visit beautifully spacious Rock Cut State Park. Don’t miss Klehm Arboretum & Botanic

Summer Fun

ILLINOIS, USA

Garden, with more than 500 different species of trees, shrubs and vines, all glowing in autumn’s glory. Indoors, our concert and theater season will be gaining momentum at Coronado Performing Arts Center, a beautifully restored downtown vaudeville house. Plus, our Riverfront Museum Campus will be coming alive for the whole family. Visit gorockford.com today for a full list of autumn special events, festivals, gardens, golf and more.

Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau NWQ_fall.indd 1

102 N. Main St.

Attractions & Events

Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Tunes on The Terrace - Nicholas Conservatory Through Aug. 28, Wed., 5-8 p.m., 1354 N. 2nd St. Schedule at nicholasconservatory.com.

'The Chicken 1.800.521.0849 Ranch' gorockford.com Through Aug. 29, 1 p.m. Comical musical about a brothel with a colorful history. Mt. Morris, (815) 946-3817, whitepinesinn.com.

Rockford, IL 61101

9/10/07 2:07:37 PM

Music on the Veranda Through Labor Day, Sat.-Sun. 8-11 p.m. Enjoy music, dinner and a gorgeous sunset. Starved Rock Lodge, Starved Rock State Park, Routes 178 & 71, Utica, Ill., (800) 868-7625, starvedrocklodge.com.

'Steel Magnolias' Through Sept. 1. See website for times. Six women of Chinquapin, La., show more steel than delicacy as they face life’s ups and downs together. Timber Lake Playhouse, Mt. Carroll, Ill., (815) 244-2035, timberlakeplayhouse.org.

Music on the Mall Through Sept. 13, most Fridays 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Edgebrook Shops, 1639 N. Alpine Road, (815) 226-0212, edgebrookshops.com.

Dockside Live Through Sept. 23, Mon. 6-9 p.m. Live music, food & brews. Prairie Street Brewing Co., 200 Prairie St., (815) 277-9427, psbrewingco.com.

Bodacious Music Through Sept. 27, Fri. 6 p.m. Relax on the patio to live music with views of the Rock River. 119 N. Main St., Janesville, bodaciousshops.com.

Julie Heffernan & Shelly Mosman - RAM Through Sept. 29, daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The “Chance Encounters” exhibit uses paintings and photography to tell visual stories that disrupt one-sided stories of female figures.

Rockford Art Museum, 711 N. Main St., (815) 968-2787, rockfordartmuseum.org.

Barb City Stompers Aug. 31, 7 p.m. The group entertains in a jazzy style, a combination of hot-swing-traditional with a dash of New Orleans sass. Spring Creek United Church of Christ, Rockford, (815) 8772576, springcreekucc.org.

'Urinetown (the Musical)' Through Aug. 31, Thu.-Sat. 7:30 p.m. The poor and downtrodden rise up against the corpo-

Greekfest is coming up Sept. 7 & 8 in Rockford.

ration controlling a drought-stricken town. [usual]Suspects, Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main St., Rockford. Info: rockfordpubliclibrary.org.

Kenny & Dolly in Harmony Sept. 3-5, 1 p.m. Dave Karl & Wendy T re-create songs of the “Real Love” tour. Mt. Morris, Ill., (815) 946-3817, whitepinesinn.com.

'August: Osage County' Sept. 5-15, Thu.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. The Weston family is full of interesting characters.

Stage Coach Players, DeKalb, Ill., (815) 7581940, stagecoachers.com.

Greekfest Sept 7 & 8. Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 108 N. 5th St., Rockford. See schedule at Rockfordgreekfest.com.

The High Kings Sept. 7, 7:30 p.m. An encore performance by the quartet that celebrates Ireland’s folk heritage. Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. 2nd St., DeKalb, Ill., (815) 758-1215, egyptiantheatre.org.

The Club Mario Show Sept. 11, 1 p.m. The one-man show by Mario Rosales features the biggest hits of the ’40s through the ’90s, from Sinatra to classic country and Neil Diamond to Motown. White Pines, Mt. Morris, Ill., (815) 946-3817, whitepinesinn.com.

'Newsies' Sept. 12-22, see website for times. Set in turn-of-the-century New York City, the musical story of Jack Kelly, the leader of a band of newsboys who strike against publishers.

Timber Lake Playhouse, Mt. Carroll, Ill., (815) 244-2035, timberlakeplayhouse.org. ❚

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Aug. 21

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WDL

Mary’s Market Opens Location in Roscoe

By Peggy Werner

M

ary’s Market is making some changes and has opened a new location at 4866 Bluestem Road in Roscoe.

“We were looking to open a location in the Roscoe area to expand our products and catering services toward the Southern Wisconsin regions and in the Stateline area,” says Executive Chef Kayla Zeimet. “The community of Roscoe is very family-oriented and so is Mary’s Market.”

A new menu is in the works and will debut at all locations later this summer.

“We’re not only adding new items, but we’re in the process of creating a new, modern look and updated pictures to help guests become more knowledgeable about our made-from-scratch processes,” says Zeimet. “Some of the dishes people will recognize as specials we ran for a limited time and found they were popular with customers.”

Most of the new menu items will be vegan and gluten-free.

“There’s been a huge increase in people who want to go vegan and glutenfree because it’s good for their health and the environment. People just feel better and are healthier if they eat what’s good for them,” she adds.

Among vegan and vegetarian options will be Vegan Quiche made from tofu, sun-dried tomatoes, asparagusm and vegan mozzarella, on an oil-based flaky crust.

An Asian Crunch Salad will include carrots, cucumbers, shredded cabbage, edamame, mandarin oranges, quinoa, baby kale and spinach mixed with sesame ginger salad dressing.

A Chicken Pot Pie will consist of thick and creamy chicken soup with carrots, peas and potatoes topped with puffed pastry.

The much-loved Roasted Beet Salad

will become an entrée.

Customers will be able to create their own flatbreads and omelets with a choice of ingredients for one price. New taco options will include Honey Chipotle Chicken, Blackened Shrimp and State Street Steak Taco.

“Our goal is to keep our customers happy, while drawing attention to what’s new so we can attract even more people,” says Zeimet. “We really care about what we serve our customers. We make fresh bread daily and everything is made from scratch.” ❚

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.

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. $-$$.

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.

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

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 $-$$.

Fresco at the Gardens.  Casual/American Café. 318 Spring Creek Road, (815) 316-2256. BkL Daily 7am-3pm. $$ Giordano’s  Casual/Italian. Stuffed pizza, salads, entrees, sandwiches, desserts. 33 Executive Parkway, Rockford, (815) 398-5700. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 11 pm.

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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. $-$$.

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 Stockholm Inn  Casual/American, Scandinavian emphasis.

2420 Charles St., Rockford, (815) 397-3534. BkLD M-Sat., Sun. brkfst. only. M-Th 7a.m.-7 p.m.; Fri. & Sat. 7 a.m.-2 p.m.

Sun. 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Weekend brunch. Large menu, Swedish pancakes specialty. $$ Taco Betty’s  Casual/Mexican-American. 212 E. State St., Rkfd., (815) 977-5650. LD Daily 11am-1am. $$. ❚

Aug. 21

To advertise call 815-316-2300

D

Dos Reales

os Reales, 5855 E. State St., Rockford, has been serving up authentic Mexican fare and signature margaritas, along with some American fare, since 1998.

Its recently updated menu features a burrito cheesesteak and chimichangas, along with newer items such as torta Mexicana, a Mexican style of sandwich filled with grilled chicken or steak; sopes Mexicanos, a traditional Mexican dish served with rice and beans; and molletes, a traditional Mexican meal with toasted bread covered in refried beans and grilled steak. Dos Reales offers glutenfree options, and dishes are mild unless a guest requests spicy.

“We prepare everything from scratch and purchase our products from local sources,” says Jose Gonzalez, Dos Reales’s manager.

Dos Reales is open Sun.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-10 p.m., and Fri.-Sat. until 10:30 p.m. ❚

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Issue 1