Smart Living Weekly February 28, 2018

Smart L iving Weekly Your Better Quality of Life Magazine • Rockford Region/Beloit/Freeport 95¢ • Feb. 28, 2018

™

Right in Our Region

RV, Camping & Travel Show

See Page 16

PSX Training Facility Opens How Dirty are Your Ducts?

Tips for Cooking with Kids Woman Filmmakers Showcased

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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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In This Issue Right in Our Region ........................Cover & p. 16 RV, Camping & Travel Show Your Home .................................................. ..... 11 How Dirty are Your Ducts?

Inspiration & Worship ......................................12 Seeing the Sun Your Kitchen .....................................................15 Tips for Cooking with Children Your Technology ..............................................19 Save Money on Your Bills Your Outing ............................................. ......... 21 Women Filmmakers Showcased at LUNAFEST Your Health ............................................. .......... 23 New PSX Facility Opens Your Fun ................................................... ......... 25

Restaurant of the Week ................................... 26 Ciao Bella

Smart L iving Weekly ™

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes

Executive Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Managing Editor Lindsey Gapen Assistant Managing Editor Jermaine Pigee Editor Emeritus Janine Pumilia Graphics Director Blake Nunes Graphic Designer Samantha Behling Contributing Writer Peggy Werner, Paula Kalivoda Furniss General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes Advertising Sales Representatives Brian Hughes, Jeremy Jones, Nita Lasky, Kendra Green Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes Website www.SmartLivingWeekly.com Published by Hughes Media Corp.

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

Copyright 2018 by Hughes Media Corp., 222 Seventh St., Rockford, IL, 61104. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.

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Rumors of Robins

R

umors of robins bounced along family text strings this weekend like errant electricity. Then, on Sunday, a trendsetting chipmunk stared me down while sunning himself on our pergola. I’m not sure why he was the only fellow in his crowd to throw off hibernation that day – I figure about 5,678 of them sleep below our deck all winter long – but I took it as a sign that spring is not far off.

As I write, temps are in the 50s and I’m “antsy to get plantsy” as daughter Rebecca says. But we’ve been down this road before and know it won’t last; we’re not breaking out the trowels and mosquito spray just yet.

(I am, however, strongly considering turning off my outdoor Christmas lights.)

Officially, the spring (vernal) equinox will occur on March 20 at 6:29 a.m. EDT, says the Farmer’s Almanac. On this day, the sun rises exactly due east and sets exactly due west. Day and night are each about 12 hours long. Days will lengthen until summer solstice around June 20.

But for now there’s something magical about watching the curtain before it rises on the greatest show on earth ...

I ponder the invisible energy that waits just below the surface. Soon it’ll explode in a billion directions – petals forming, leaves unfurling, grass blades greening, buzzy things hatching, furry things birthing. But for now it just waits, a crouching panther ready to “spring.” Are you ready?

Oh, for a whiff of lilacs; the taste of a homegrown strawberry; the returning nighttime chorus of frogs; the twinkle of fireflies; the feel of a Dairy Haus waffle cone planted firmly in my hand. I’m ready!

But not really. I want to look forward to it a bit longer and will get my chance. I’ll bore my poor husband with talk of grandiose garden plans we both know I’ll never complete. Anticipation is pretty heady in itself.

Enjoy this quiet time before Spring springs and have a great week! ❚ Janine Pumilia SLW Editor

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How Dirty are Your Ducts?

Y H  G

By Janine Pumilia

M

ost people would be surprised to see how much dirt builds up inside the air ducts of their homes, but not James Wells. As owner of Air Quality Management, which specializes solely in duct cleaning, he knows the dirt on ducts.

“The main reason people have their ducts cleaned is to reduce allergens and dust in the home,” says Wells. “The furnace or air conditioner sucks air in through its lines, heats or cools it and distributes it back into the rooms. It’s the return ducts that are dirtiest. The pet dander and other debris build up and some of it gets redistributed throughout the home.”

Air Quality Management uses a 20-horsepower vacuum to pull debris outside the home as it cleans.

“It’s powerful enough to pick up a 16-pound bowling ball,” says Wells.

“That’s important because it means the

dirt is not going back into the home as we disturb it.”

Wells recommends cleaning ducts every five to seven years, depending on your allergy sensitivity and how many pets and people live in the home making dander and dirt.

“Sometimes owners of a newly constructed home will hire us to clean the drywall dust and other debris from a home before they move in, too,” he adds.

The cost of cleaning ducts in a typical ranch home is about $350 and requires 2 or 3 hours. A larger two-story home is $450 to $550 and takes 3 or 4 hours.

Air Quality Management also professionally cleans dryer vents.

“This is important because a plugged dryer vent is a fire hazard,” says Wells.

“Also, when a dryer hose is plugged, clothing takes a lot longer to dry and en-

ergy costs increase.”

Air Quality Management cleans ducts in residential, commercial and industrial structures.

To get an estimate on cleaning your ducts, call Wells at (815) 962-9007. ❚

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I  W

Seeing the Sun

“We believe that the sun is in the sky at midday in summer not because we can clearly see the sun (in fact, we cannot) but because we can see everything else.” – C.S. Lewis, Miracles

W

ithout God’s goodness, would this broken world hold together at all?

Yet even in the midst of war, disease, famine, disaster and corruption, rays of light penetrate the gloom and give hope.

We slumber and wake to the dependable rhythms of night and day, sun, moon and stars. Spring returns. Babies are born.

People love. Tides roll in. Blooms unfurl and trees reach for the sky. Laughter ripples alongside sorrow, all across the earth. All good things are reminders of the hope that belongs to those who choose to call Jesus Christ “Lord.”

God’s fingerprints are everywhere, encouraging us in our appointed work: to spread light to those in darkness. Prophets saw it coming. Jesus Christ set it into motion. Now we have the power to reconcile people to God Himself.

Shortly before his resurrection, Jesus prayed not only for his disciples, but for all of us who would come to God through their work. Because of them, you and I have the option to believe.

“My prayer is not for them alone.

I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one — I in them and you in me — so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” - John 17: 20-23(NIV) “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

– Revelation 21:4 (NIV) We have work to do, and our paths are lit by the sunlight of God’s will. ❚ – Janine Pumilia 12

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Y K

Three Easy Tips for Cooking with Kids

A

s the last months of winter play out, keeping kids active can be a difficult task. Luckily, there are plenty of things you can do in your own home to keep children engaged and help limit their video game and TV time. Cooking together reinforces math, science and reading comprehension skills, and builds great memories. Here are tips.

1. Establish Good Habits. Teach kids to wash their hands before, during and after cooking. Kid-friendly tools, like a small step stool or high-tech faucet, can help make reinforcing these habits even easier. Let your little sous-chefs know that they should wash their hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds, by helping them count or singing the "Happy Birthday" song twice. Remember to set a good example by washing your own hands before and after eating and during the cooking process, as needed.

2. Different Stages for Different Ages.

Understanding which tasks your child is capable of doing is important. Children under

5 years old enjoy observing how recipes are compiled and can help out with small tasks like setting the table, while school-age children can strengthen their math skills as they help combine ingredients for recipes and practice cooking basics, like cracking an egg.

This stage is a great time to introduce the importance of choosing nutritious ingredients for everyday cooking, which can help lay the groundwork for a healthy lifestyle. Tap teenagers for help by encouraging them to choose the menu or explore new and exciting cuisine.

3. Timing is Everything. Avoiding a tight schedule is important. Instead of involving children in the dinner rush, enlist their help on a weekend afternoon when there's plenty of time for questions, experiments or careful demonstrations. Choose a time when everyone is well-rested and not easily frustrated.

Plan ahead when deciding what recipe you will cook together. For younger kids, consider starting with a simple dish that has fewer than five ingredients, like a fruit salad or an easy muffin recipe. A pizza assembly line allows children to show their creativity by choosing their own mini-crusts, sauces, cheese and toppings. ❚ (Source: BPT)

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R  O R

Plan New Adventures at Travel Show

By Peggy Werner

W

hether you live on a tight budget or in the lap of luxury, you can find ways to travel and experience great adventures by attending the 47th annual RV, Camping and Travel Show March 9-11 at the Indoor Sports Center, 8800 E. Riverside Blvd, Loves Park.

The desire to explore your surroundings is a natural part of living, says Andrew Rotolo of Landro Productions, the show’s producer.

“Many people just like to get outdoors,” says Rotolo. “No matter what you do or how attached you are to cell phones and other electronics, you sooner or later want to get out and away from your routine. And I don’t see that ever changing.”

Each year, about 9,000 people attend this show. The newest models in recreational vehicles and camping accessories are on display and representatives from

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campgrounds and lodging facilities all over the Midwest are on hand to answer questions.

This year, Takedown Eventures will host three entertainment areas for kids and adults, with activities that include ax throwing, aerial archery and a BB gun range.

Four years ago, Jodi and Corey DiVietro attended the show and it changed their lives.

They bought a luxurious 43-foot Forest River XLR Thunderbolt Fifth Wheel Toy Hauler that can accommodate five queen-size beds and has 1.5 baths.

There’s space for a motorcycle and golf cart, not to mention their two large dogs.

“We fell in love with it and have already taken our home on the road to more places than we ever expected to go,” Jodi says.

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The DiVietros just returned from Colorado and have been all over Wisconsin, Michigan, the Galena, Ill. area and other motorcycle travel destinations, including Sturgis, S.D., for the annual motorcycle rally. They usually take one long vacation and several long weekend trips per year in their RV. “We’re in our forties and this is how we choose to vacation,” says Jodi. “When we retire, we want to do even more traveling or maybe someday change careers and work from the road. It’s a great life and the people you meet are a huge part of the fun.”

Motor homes of all classes will be on display.

Jim Prather, a member of the sales team at Vacationland in Big Rock, Ill., will show dozens of new vehicles, with something for every age and budget. His

R  O R

company has attended the annual event since it began.

He says the world of recreational vehicles is continually evolving with technological advances, improved quality and more mechanical power. Expect to find smart systems, blue tooth technology, 12-volt USB ports, remote-controlled awnings, solar panels, back-up cameras,

accent lighting and quality flooring and fixtures as standard features.

“There’s a lot of innovation going into the manufacturing of RVs, with more aerodynamic body lines, lighter materials used, better fuel efficiency and more appealing color options inside and out,” he says. And the ability to cook and sleep in an RV helps to offset lodging and dining expenses.

Off-road packages are growing in popularity, too, with options like mud tires, extra ground clearance and other amenities off-road campers are wanting.

A current trend of living large in smaller spaces is motivating manufacturers to build lighter weight, more fuel- efficient compact trailers to meet the demand, he says.

Vehicles on display will include travel trailers, fifth wheels, toy haulers, expandable campers, camping trailers, truck campers and destination trailers.

The annual RV, Camping and Travel Show has a long family history.

Rotolo’s uncle, Duane Nichols, founded Showtime Productions, which was the show’s original producer. In 2013, Rotolo and his wife, Laci, took over the RV and Camping show held every March and the Boat, Vacation, and Fishing Show held every February, under Landro Productions. They also added a Rockford Arts and Crafts Holiday Spectacular, in its fifth year this November.

His cousin, Andrea, still runs the annual Home and Garden Show through Showtime Productions.

Admission is $6 for adults and children 12 and older. Children under 12 are admitted free. Parking is free. Find show hours and an event schedule, and receive a $1 off coupon, by visiting landroproductions.com. ❚

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Y T

It’s ‘Not that Hard’ to Pay Less for Tech

By Peggy Werner

A

customer walks into EZ Satellite and Wireless, 6239 N. 2nd St. in Loves Park, and within a few minutes leaves happier than when he came in, after finding out how to pay less for internet, phone and television services.

During the customer’s visit, EZ Satellite and Wireless Owner and General Manager Charles Zambrano asks him questions about the number of televisions in his home, his favorite channels, whether he enjoys streaming and recording, how many phones he has and if he needs high-speed internet.

Zambrano’s goal is to help every customer save money.

“Most customers are paying too much, up to $250 for phone, television and internet. I can save them $50 to $100 per month. With every customer, I can offer them the best each company has to offer,” he says.

“A lot of people are not happy with

their tech services, but they’re afraid to change or don’t have time to do the research to find a better deal. It’s not that hard to get a better deal and start saving money,” he says.

Zambrano’s business has doubled since he moved it to the Loves Park location from Roscoe two years ago. Although he plans to open a second store in the future, a more immediate goal is to start selling, installing and servicing security cameras and surveillance systems within the next few months.

What sets his business apart from others, he says, is personal attention, good customer service and honesty.

“I make sure the customers know exactly what they are getting and that they are not paying for services they don’t want or need,” he says.

EZ Satellite &Wireless is an authorized dish network retailer licensed to offer services from any other provider using dish, cable, internet and home security, such as Rise Broadband, Comcast, Frontier, HughesNet, DirectTV, Digitenna and Protect America.

Learn more by calling EZ Satellite & Wireless at (815) 957-4335 or by visiting the office. ❚

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Experience Downtown Rockford

Y O

Register Now for March 20 LUNAFEST

By Peggy Werner

“C

onnecting, empowering, creating and transforming our world – one woman at a time” is the mission of Womanspace, 333 Maria Linden Drive, and is also the motive for hosting LUNAFEST Film Festival, which features short documentary films by women, about women and for women.

The fundraiser film fest will be at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 20 at Giovanni’s, 610 Bell School Road. Doors open at 6 p.m. Cost is $50 per person. It includes a pasta buffet dinner wine, a silent auction, raffle and mystery gifts. Registration is required by March 6.

“LUNAFEST is about women from around the world sharing their stories,” says Womanspace Marketing Coordinator Liz Hiemstra. “We want people to have a greater understanding of women from around the world. We

also want them to feel more connected to the women sitting next to them. We want people to come away from the film festival feeling more enriched.”

LUNAFEST not only gives women an opportunity to tell their stories, but also provides an audience for deserving female filmmakers.

LUNAFEST began in 2000 as the first all-woman traveling film festival.

Proceeds from LUNAFEST go to Chicken and Egg Pictures, which supports female filmmakers whose nonfiction stories spur social change and raise money for local communities. In the past 13 years, Chicken & Egg has awarded $6 million in grants and thousands of mentorship hours to 270 filmmakers. The award-winning films have resulted in change related to the issues they address.

There are more than twice as many

film festival

male short film directors as females.

LUNAFEST seeks to make those numbers more equal by encouraging women to host an event, submit films or attend a screening.

Each film is about 10 minutes long and draws attention to a societal truth through personal stories, in hopes of building awareness and creating change.

This year’s lineup will feature nine short films.

Call (815) 877-0118 or go to womanspace-rockford.org to register or learn more. ❚

short films by, for, about women lunafest.org

March 20, 6:00p Giovanni’s, 610 n. Bell school Road A screening of nine award-winning short films by, for and about women.

Dinner buffet, drinks, wine & beer pull, raffle, silent auction & other fun activities. $50 per person OR $360 per table of 8 (order tickets by March 6)

womanspace-rockford.org • 815-877-0118

Brought to you by:

Benefitting:

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LUNABAR.COM

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Y H

New PSX Training Facility Opens at Peak

By Jermaine Pigee

I

f you want to get stronger, faster and healthier in 2018, PSX at Peak Sports Club is right up your alley.

The PSX training facility, which opened last year, provides space for high intensity group workouts, which are designed to increase lean muscle and burn body fat.

“You will get stronger, faster, more flexible and more conditioned if you do this workout at least three times a week,” says Nicholas Dal Pra, fitness director and trainer at Peak Fitness.

The 4,950-square-foot facility is attached to the north side of Peak Sports Club, 4401 Peak Drive, Loves Park.

Adjacent to the weight training room, it features a large, open space for trainers to lead small group workouts. It allows more people to benefit from personal training with equipment and has an open area for small and large groups to train to-

gether. The workouts can be modified to match your ability and experience.

“Group training is a growing trend in the industry and it’s a way to make personal training more available and affordable for more people,” Peak founder and president Mark Banz says. “The fundamental aspect of group training has grown over the years and now, group training classes have their own dedicated space.”

A variety of equipment is used in each workout, such as free weights, power racks, turf sleds and plyometric boxes.

Workout classes take place Monday through Saturday and each class has a range of roughly eight to 14 people.

Working out in a small group not only improves accountability, it increases the intensity in each workout, Dal Pra says.

Although PSX is a good way to lose

weight, Dal Pra doesn’t emphasize it.

“We work hard in here but we never make it about weight loss,” Dal Pra says. “This type of exercise can help with weight loss by making yourself fit and more healthy by increasing your metabolic rate, which will help you burn more calories.”

In addition to the Loves Park location, Banz also runs Peak Fitness at 4304 E. State St., in Rockford, which he opened in 1998.

Learn more at PeakSportsClub.com. ❚

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RV Camping

Y F

d, kfor Rocjust Autumn might s i be the best time of year. The sun is a little lower Illino (and prettier), the air is a little crisper (and cleaner) and the leaves cascade down in colorful splendor. This fall, spend some quality time in the fun, nearby, value-packed Rockford Region. See stunning fall colors at

Real. Original.

SM

Anderson Japanese Gardens, the finest in North America. Visit beautifully spacious Rock Cut State Park. Don’t miss Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden, with more than 500 different species of trees, shrubs and vines, all

& Travel Show

ILLINOIS, USA

glowing in autumn’s glory. Indoors, our concert and theater season will be gaining momentum at Coronado Performing Arts Center, a beautifully

March 9-10-11

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.

Fri. 2pm-8pm, Sat. 10am-6pm, Sun. 11am-5pm

Mercyhealth Indoor Sports Center 8800 E. Riverside Blvd.

Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau NWQ_fall.indd 1

NEW

’s, 2018 RV ds, oun Campgr g Campin s, rie Accesso ore! hM and Muc

102 N. Main St.

$1off Valid on s ingle adult adm $6 ission

Priz e Eve s r Hou y r!

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www.rkfdrvshow.com 815-997-1744

Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Tourism

Attractions & Events

'Time after Time' Through March 4, Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Who is the oddly dressed Rockford, IL 61101 1.800.521.0849 gorockford.com Englishman who suddenly appears and befriends a young woman in present-day San Francisco? Pec Playhouse Theatre, 314 Main St., Pecatonica, (815) 239-1210, pecplayhouse.org.

9/10/07 2:07:37 PM

Beloit International Film Festival Through March 5. See website for schedule and ticket information. Scores of shorts, documentaries and feature films are presented in unique venues throughout the Beloit area. Tickets/Info: (608) 3124256, beloitfilmfest.org.

RAM: Pop-up Restaurant Fundraisers Feb. 28, March 28, April 25, May 23, 6-9:30 p.m. Experience top local chefs in an unexpected, off-the-grid setting in the galleries. Enjoy an innovative prixfixe menu alongside the museum’s current feature exhibition. Featuring Abreo, Greenfire, Alchemy and Toni’s of Winnebago. Res. req. RAM, Rockford, (815) 968-2787, rockfordartmuseum.org.

BeeSpotters March 3, 9 a.m.-noon. Learn about the very important role bees play. Training is available to become a BeeSpotter, collecting population data that can be used to help conserve these pollinators, on which so much depends. Training for collecting field data on bats March 17, 9 a.m.noon; butterflies March 24, 9 a.m.-noon.

Severson Dells Nature Center, Winnebago County Forest Preserve Headquarters, 5500 Northrock Dr., Rockford, (815) 3352915, seversondells.com.

MPAC: 'The Other Guys' Fundraiser March 3, 7:30 p.m. The University of Illinois’ premier men’s a cappella group performs a concert in support of MPAC programming. Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center (MPAC), Mendelssohn Hall, 406 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 9649713, mendelssohnpac.org.

Learn about visual culture of the 1960s at Midway Village Museum on March 11.

Saving America’s Scenic wonders March 4, 2 p.m. Actor R.M. Lindsey portrays Stephen T. Mather, founding director of the National Park Service, whose work was crucial to preserving Sequoia and Yosemite national parks, among others. Featuring stunning photos of our parkland and the wildlife that has been saved over the past 100-plus years. Byron Forest Preserve, Byron, Ill., (815) 2348535, byronforestpreserve.com.

Visual Culture of the 1960s March 11, 2-3 p.m. Connecting with History series lecture by Dr. Jennifer Langworthy, Assistant Professor of Art at Rockford University, who looks at fashion of the 1960s and its broader artistic and cultural context. Midway Village Museum, Rockford, (815) 397-9112, midwayvillage.com.

Nygren Wetlands 60th Anniversary March 13, 6-9 p.m. Live music, cash bar, dinner & a silent auction are part of this fundraiser. Natural Land Institute, Giovanni’s Restaurant & Convention Center, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rockford, (815) 9646666, naturalland.org.

The World of Pompeii March 13, 7:30 p.m. In this American Institute of Architects (AIA) lecture, Sinclair Bell of NIU treats the audience to a talk on the fascinating city of Pompeii.

Burpee Museum of Natural History, 737 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 965-3433, burpee.org. ❚

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New Chef, Menu, Hours, Specials at Ciao Bella

By Peggy Werner

C

iao Bella Ristorante, 6500 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park, has already made its mark as one of the best dining establishments in our region. Now it’s evolved to appeal to people of all ages, whether they want an elegant and leisurely evening meal or a quick, affordable lunch on the run.

With a new chef, new menu items, new hours, a wider selection of beer and wine, a separate bar menu, food specials, options for vegetarian, vegan and glutenfree meals, slot machines and new ways of placing food orders, Ciao Bella has stepped up to the plate.

“We just want more people to experience what we have to offer,” says Owner Talia Castrogiovanni. “We’ve taken the restaurant in a new direction by trying new things to attract those who haven’t been here and to keep others coming back.”

Among recent changes: Customers

may now place online orders through the Ciao Bella Facebook page. They can enjoy $7 express lunches with an endless bowl of homemade soup. There’s a new lunch punch card that rewards you with one free meal after 12 visits. And there’s now an option to choose full or half salads.

Drink specials include house wines and draft beer for $3 on Chicken Caprese with grilled vegetables & basil pesto.

Mondays and Wednesdays or $2 toes, garlic and olive oil. Other new house wines on Thursdays. A new bar items include an Italian pizza burger, menu features boneless chicken wings, portabella flatbread, Caprese salad, clasquesadillas, tacos, burgers and wraps. sic Caesar salad and spinach salad served The new menu offers the most popwith warm bacon dressing. New appeular specials that have received rave tizer options include Teriyaki tuna and reviews in the past, such as mango groujumbo Asiago shrimp. per, which is grilled, topped with mango Ciao Bella has new hours, too. They salsa and served with house vegetables are Sundays from 4 to 7 p.m.; Monday and pesto angel hair pasta. There’s also through Friday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and 5 scallop or shrimp Pappardelle, which is to 9 p.m. Saturdays. ❚ egg noodles tossed with spinach, toma-

In the Spotlight

Top Picks for Local Restaurants Baci’s Kitchen  Fast-Casual American and Italian specialties, 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.

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

Cannova’s Italian Cuisine  Casual. 1101 W. Empire St., Freeport, (815) 233-0032. D T-Th, Sun 5-9pm; F-Sat 10pm. $-$$.

Ciao Bella Ristorante Upscale-Casual/Italian-American. Daily specials. 6500 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park, Ill. (815) 6549900. LD M-F 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sat. 5-10 p.m. $$ Costa’s Ristorante  Upscale-Casual/Italian. 133 Blackhawk Dr., Byron, Ill., (815) 234-4707. LD Daily 4pm. $-$$.

Cucina di Rosa  Italian Bistro/Bakery 1620 Bell School Road, Rockford, (815) 395-5040. BkLD. Homemade gelato, baked goods, pasta, frittatas, more. M-Sat 7am-9pm. $$ Dos Reales Mexican Restaurant  Casual/Mexican. Authentic dishes, lunch menu. 5855 E. State St., Rockford, (815) 2274979. LD Sun-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sat to 10:30pm. $-$$.

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

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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.

GreenFire  Upscale-Casual/American contemporary.

Seasonal cuisine; local-sourced ingredients; gourmet market; live entertainment. 6795 E. Riverside Blvd., Rockford, (815) 316-3473. BkLD M-F 11am, Sat-Sun 8am. Bar open late. $$$.

Hearthrock Cafe  Restaurant/cafe. Baked goods, coffee.

Inside Benson Stone Co., 1100 11th St., Rockford, (815) 2272000. BkL M-F 7:30am-3pm; Sat. 8am-3pm. $-$$.

Maciano’s  Casual/Italian. 6746 Broadcast Parkway, Loves Park (815) 633-7500 and 5801 Columbia Parkway, Rockford (815) 227-5577. LD Sun-Thurs. 11am-10pm, F-Sat 11 am-11 p.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. $-$$.

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

Thrive Café  Casual/Cafe. Salads, wraps, sandwiches, smoothies, cold-pressed juices. 6731 Broadcast Pkwy., Loves Park. BkLD 7 a.m.-3 p.m. ❚

Feb. 28

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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