Smart Living Weekly - January 15, 2014

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Right in Our Region

The Next Picture Show Turns 10 R

By Janine Pumilia, executive editor ecent years have been tough for many organizations, which makes it all the sweeter to celebrate the 10-year milestone of one that’s seeing true success.

The Next Picture Show (TNPC), a nonprofit fine arts center in downtown Dixon, Ill., began as a place to celebrate and encourage art and artists.

Today, it’s all that and more. It has evolved into a central hub for Dixon – a space where people

celebrate not only the arts, but also their own vibrant community. Inside this bright, vintage gallery space, possibilities for the future seem just a little easier to grasp.

“There’s a whole resurgence of the arts culture in Dixon, and a lot of it has to do with this gallery,” says Bonnie Kime, director. “When an arts culture thrives, it lifts the whole community, and attracts new, energetic people to the community.”

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• Get All the SAVINGS You Deserve from Local Businesses

Understanding Cardiac Catheterization • Good Posture for Beauty and Health • Ace Your Job Interview Choosing the Right Carpet for You • How You Can Save Three Lives • Recipe for Hearty, Healthful Potato Lasagna

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In This Issue Right in Our Region: The Next Picture Show ........... Cover & p. 20 Your Home Picking the Right Carpet for You ................11 Inspiration & Worship ..............................12 Your Kitchen Nutritious Potato Lasagna .........................15 .

Your Style Good Posture Counts ................................17 Your Health Cardiac Catheterization .............................25 Your Fun ................................................... 27 .

On the Town ............................................. 29 Your Money Tips for Your Job Interview .........................33 Tips & Info One Blood Donor Impacts Three Lives .....31

Smart L iving Weekly ™

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bill Hughes Executive Editor Janine Pumilia

Managing Editor/Web Editor Chris Linden Associate Editor/Special Projects Editor Karla Nagy Senior Staff Writer/Promotions Coordinator Paul Anthony Arco Graphics Director Blake Nunes Contributing Writer Jim Killam General Sales Manager Brent Hughes Sales Manager Brad Hughes Account Executives Steve Blachford, Brian Hughes Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes Website www.NWQSmartLiving.com Published by Hughes Media Corp.

728 N. Prospect St., Rockford, IL, 61107 (815) 316-2300, Fax: (815) 316-2301 lhughes@northwestquarterly.com Smart Living Weekly.

Copyright 2014 by Hughes Media Corp., 728 N. Prospect St., Rockford, IL, 61107. 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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Something Wonderful

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here’s a tee shirt that reads: “Without art, the earth is just eh …”

Even though I’m descended from no-nonsense Midwest farmers – and children of the Great Depression, no less – I agree with that sentiment. The arts, in all forms, aren’t just a nicety in life.

They’re essential to human progress.

The common denominator of all artists is a drive to contribute something wonderful to this world, whether the result is a painting, a concert, a dance, a novel, a film, a video game … whatever.

If necessity is the mother of innovation, creativity is its dear sister. It’s no secret that many of the most successful companies in America go to great lengths to provide their employees with an environment that nurtures creativity.

Creativity is contagious, which brings us to our cover story about The Next Picture Show, in downtown Dixon, Ill. Creative people of all kinds and all ages gravitate to this non-profit gallery, which nurtures a love for art. The gallery is helping Dixon to attract energetic innovators, as communities with a thriving art cultures do. When you think about it, the economic heyday of the Rock River Valley parallels its creative heyday. An alliance between The Next Picture Show and the John Deere Historic Site in nearby Grand Detour – a monument to innovation – makes perfect sense.

How sad that our society deems public school art education as an expendable luxury; how short-sighted that a liberal arts college degree, which exposes young roots to the rich loam of innovators, is so easily dismissed as “impractical,” these days.

Great civilizations have long used the arts to fan flames of progress. If the average American’s exposure to art is limited to viewing “Duck Dynasty” or its equivalent, we’re in trouble.

Here’s to the first 10-year anniversary of TNPS. May there be many more.

Janine Pumilia, Executive Editor Smart Living Weekly

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Know the Basics When Shopping for Carpet

By Jim Killam

S

hopping for carpet can be very 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. First, 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 their needs – not pick something (salespeople) think 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 polyesters, made from recycled plastic bottles. They’re extremely stain-resistant and durable, with softness that has im-

proved vastly as plastics technology has changed in recent years.

Carpet quality can be measured – and even seen – in three factors: Density. That’s the number of stitches per inch. More means the fibers will support each other better and resist crushing.

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

Face weight: How many ounces of fiber are used per square yard of carpet.

Backings can help indicate a carpet’s quality, and especially its moisture resistance. If you have pets, Rose says, consider carpet with moisture-proof backing.

And, Rose says: 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,” he 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.” ❚ Get SLW Home & Garden articles every week. Visit NWQSmartLiving. com and start your E-Edition today.

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Connection F

orget Linked In and Facebook. If it’s the creator of the universe we want to meet, the Bible is remains our best bet for a connection.

To believe in Jesus Christ is to believe in the power of scripture. And while Christians disagree about how to translate various words from the Greek, Aramaic or Hebrew, few argue that scripture is the bedrock of Christianity. Jesus himself quoted it often, using the same Old Testament texts we read today. He quoted them to Satan, to his followers, and to the folks who tried to trip him up.

“You are in error because you don’t know the Scriptures or the power of God,” he told some bad characters in Matthew 22:29. The same could be said about most of us, today.

Merely listening to what other people say about scripture is no substitute for eyes-to-print reading of it. “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God,” Jesus told Satan, after spending 40 days and nights in the wilderness without food. (Matthew 4:4).

Those who feel intimidated by the Bible are encouraged when they learn that the portion most directly related to Christians is relatively small. All of the Bible is good learning, but getting started in the New Testament is a practical idea. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John teach us about Jesus and his life, death and resurrection. They reveal the way he thought and what he valued. The Book of Acts unfolds exciting stories about the very first Christians. Romans through Jude are letters written by early leaders, and shed light on challenges and solutions experienced by early Christians.

Some of these letters are addressed to specific people, others to the church at large – which is us.

I Thessalonians 2:13 ESV: “And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.” ❚ Written by Janine Pumilia

Get SLW Inspiration & Worship articles every week with your E-Edition today.

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We are Huskies!

Champions in the classroom, in competition, and in life!

Ranked in U.S. News & World Report’s elite “National Universities” category Internationally acclaimed and nationally celebrated faculty, including 35 Fulbright scholars A campus “renaissance” that includes a brand new, 1000 bed, state-of-the-art residence hall A rapidly growing Honors program attracting record numbers of high-achieving students Winner of national “Place” award from Association of Public Land-grant Universities (APLU) for excellence in community, social and cultural development work

discover.niu.edu

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Northern Illinois University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution. Printed by authority of the State of Illinois. F112

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It's OK to Indulge in Healthy, Hearty Spuds J

ust think how many favorite comfort foods include potatoes. From russets to reds, fingerlings to purples, the hearty potato comes in beautiful varieties that add color and texture to many comfort dishes. And did you know that many varieties are grown just to our north, in Wisconsin?

Beyond their appearance in some of the most beloved dishes, potatoes also boast many benefits to our diets. Here are few reasons to add this versatile vegetable into meals: Potassium: Potatoes are a great source of potassium, which may help to lower high blood pressure, making potatoes a heart-healthy choice. In fact, potatoes contain more potassium than a banana or spinach.

Vitamins: A spud a day may keep the cold germs away. One medium-sized spud has nearly half the recommended daily value of vitamin C and is also a good source of vitamin B6.

Dietary Fiber: Potatoes are also a source of dietary fiber, a complex carbohydrate known to make you feel full and satisfied, thereby aiding weight loss.

Gluten Free: Potatoes are a naturally gluten-free food, so those with gluten sensitivity can enjoy them.

For more healthy recipe ideas, visit eatwisconsinpotatoes.com.

3. Stir together ricotta, basil, garlic powder and egg white in small bowl.

4. Spread 1/2 cup marinara sauce in bottom of 9-inch square baking dish.

5. Place 1/3 of the potatoes in the bottom of the dish, forming solid layer with no gaps.

6. Drop 1/2 ricotta mixture in spoonfuls over top and spread out just a little.

7. Sprinkle with 1/3 of mozzarella and 1/2 sausage mixture.

8. Add 1/2 cup more sauce, then repeat potato, cheese and meat layers.

9. Top with last layer of potatoes, remaining sauce and mozzarella.

10. Cover with plastic wrap and make small slit to vent.

11. Microwave on high for 30 minutes or until potatoes are tender. ❚ Source: Family Features/Renwood Winery/Wisconsin Potatoes

Get SLW Kitchen articles every week.

Visit NWQSmartLiving.com and start your E-Edition today.

Fine Oils, Vinegars, & Now Spices!

Healthy Potato Lasagna

(Wine pairing suggestion: Renwood Premier Old Vine Zinfandel, Amador County) 2 links Italian turkey sausage (3 1/2 oz. each) 1 1/2 cups chopped onion 1 cup fat-free ricotta cheese 1 tsp. dried basil or Italian seasoning 1/2 tsp. garlic powder 1 egg white 2 cups marinara sauce, divided 1 1/4 pounds Wisconsin Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced, divided 1 cup part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

1. Remove sausage from casing and crumble into medium skillet with onion.

2. Cook for 10 minutes or until both are browned, breaking up sausage with back of spoon.

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Better Posture Improves Health and Appearance T

o some extent, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but the things we consider beautiful usually involve symmetry and vitality, says Bill Schultz, president of AlignMed. “The human body is an excellent example,” says Schultz. “The people we view as physically attractive are usually healthy and symmetrical in appearance.

That’s not a coincidence; postural symmetry and good health go hand in hand.”

Good posture – holding the head, shoulders and trunk in perfect alignment – creates balance, which allows our many physiological systems to function optimally, Schultz says. When we habitually sit, stand or walk in a less than a fully aligned position, muscles stretch or contract to accommodate. This can result in chronic imbalances that can lead to pain. Studies dating back to the 19th century also suggest our posture affects mood, energy and self-confidence, all of which affect how we appear to others.

“You don’t see supermodels, A-list actors or the rest of the ‘beautiful people’ slouched over as they strut down the runway or red carpet,” says Schultz, who explores four ways in which posture is part of the beauty-health connection.

• It’s not just sitting for hours on end that’s bad for you; it’s how one sits. Sitting for long periods comes with many health risks, including obesity and cardiovascular disease. But sitting with less than perfect posture – most frequently, sitting with the head and shoulders in a forward position over a desk – can cause significant neck pain. Proper posture can prevent spinal damage.

• A strong, well-functioning core is crucial for optimal health. The bulk of a body’s mass is located at and around one’s core, including the trunk and pelvis region. Today’s fitness fanatics firmly grasp the importance of a healthy core. Surprisingly, however, much of the health-conscious population today

is musclecentric and does not fully appreciate the importance of posture, even though proper posture facilitates core strengthening, especially while exercising.

AlignMed offers the Align Posture range of products (Postureshirt, MyLign and S3) used by many of today’s top professional athletes. Learn more at alignmed.com. ❚ Get SLW Style articles every week. Visit NWQSmartLiving.com and start your EEdition today.

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The Next Picture Show Continued from cover Although ultra-dedicated Kime is the gallery’s only paid staff member (she kids about asking the board of directors to install a shower and bed for her), the gallery keeps 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. business hours Tuesday through Sunday, and stages endless events outside of those hours, thanks to a devoted board of directors and a robust pool of volunteers.

TNPS’s mission is to teach, study, show, celebrate and make art, “and our volunteers are as passionate as I am about our purpose,” says Kime. Along with weekly duties, they show up for all-day sessions of art hanging, as juried shows and other exhibits rotate.

The gallery, at 113 W. 1st St., displays and sells the Bonnie Kime work of artists from

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across the Midwest, in themed shows such as River Reflections, Farms & Barns, and Architecture. In May, TNPS will host the Illinois Watercolor National Exhibit, and, in November, a choice 30-piece traveling exhibit of the National Watercolor Society.

The crowded 2014 schedule of events at TNPS reveals just how adept Kime is at forging partnerships throughout the community, not only with school districts and public entities, but also the private sector. For example, as part of the gallery’s 10th anniversary commemoration, TNPS is teaming up with John Deere, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, and Sauk Valley Bank, which celebrates its 15th. The Next Picture Show will host a special John Deere Exhibit at the gallery for the month of August, which will depict the history of John Deere through artwork by Walter Haskell Hinton. On Aug. 9 and 10, the street in front of the gallery will be lined with John Deere Green. There will be an Art Walk in Grand Detour at the John Deere Historic Site on Aug. 17. This precedes the 66th Annual Grand Detour Arts

Festival in September at the Deere site; TNPS hosts the Student Art Works for that festival.

“I’m an opportunist,” says Kime, who has a knack for connecting people.

Another example: Illustrator Douglas Kitto recently relocated from Chicago to Dixon, in part because of the city’s thriving arts community. When Kime heard that All Safe Storage & UPS was looking to paint something on the huge overhead door of its Timber Creek Drive facility, in Dixon, Kime enticed Kitto to sign on for a mural.

“The owners wanted people to have something nice to look at on their building,” Kime says. “The result was spectacular – a tribute to Dixon’s history.”

The mural depicts the Rock River, Ronald Reagan and his boyhood home, the Dixon Arch and Lowell Park.

The gallery is currently exhibiting Regional Survey of Art 10, sponsored by KSB Hospital. The months of February and March will feature themes of Black History, Prospectives, Art and Photography and work by an autistic artist.

Throughout its anniversary, local

musicians will perform at TNPS, many of them old friends of the gallery, like Corky Siegel & Bonnie Koloc.

In September, TNPS will organize Art on the Square, which was discontinued in 2006. “Artists of all ages will be invited to paint 170 to 180 squares [cubes] with acrylic-type paints, and we’ll display them throughout the city after the Petunia Festival,” says Kime.

That event is sponsored by Midland States Bank.

As part of its 10th anniversary celebration, TNPS will host a Cake Pour Feb. 8, where frosting becomes the medium for abstract design. “We want everyone to stop by and see the edible art and enjoy,” says Kime.

Fundraising is a big part of Kime’s job, and it’s not always easy. “One year, when we were in a pinch, the community helped us to raise $30,000 in six weeks,” Kime recalls. “That told me there was a real need to have this gallery here, and that people would get behind it. And they have.”

The nearly 8,000-square-foot space The Next Picture Show inhabits is, in

itself, beautiful. Built in 1854, seven years before the Civil War, the building has original wood floors, tin ceilings and airy, bright spaces. It was completely renovated, in 2003, by local philanthropist Ralph Edgar. Edgar supplied partial operating funds for the first three years of the organization, as it got on its feet.

Today, TNPS pays rent to Edgar and is self-supported through donations, rental fees and fundraisers. And for the first time, the City of Dixon has awarded the organization a $10,000 grant.

“This is wonderful, because it means we’re not struggling as much as we were, and can do certain events in 2014,” says Kime. “It’s also recognition of the important role the gallery plays in this community.”

Contributing to the community’s enthusiasm for this art enclave is a growing hunger for original art, and rising disdain for its counterpart. “In general, society is growing tired of all things mass-produced,” says Kime.

That trend works to her advantage, and she delights in bringing people together to create something they couldn’t

Oak Ridge Morn, by Tom Linden

achieve alone.

“It’s like a great puzzle, and I get very excited when I see people utilizing their various talents, and building that kind of energy that’s so important to the art world and to a community,” says Kime. “I recently overheard people talking about how they couldn’t find a place to park downtown in Dixon, in the dead of winter. Isn’t that a wonderful problem? When people are engaged in their own community, it makes all the difference in the world.” Learn more about TNPS at thenextpictureshow.com. ❚

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Understanding Cardiac Catheterization T

hanks to the inventive use of a long, flexible tube called a catheter, diagnosing and treating heart disease has nearly become an exact science.

Today, in fact, cardiac catheterization is a highly sophisticated, effective and safe procedure that helps doctors pinpoint the location of a blocked artery and take care of the blockage at the same time. It tells them how extensive a blockage is and a stent can be placed to expand the artery.

If you’re facing this common, nonsurgical procedure, you probably have a few questions: What do they do in this test? Will I be awake? How long will it take?

How it Works You’ll be awake, albeit sedated, throughout the procedure, which takes place on a special X-ray table that moves back and forth.

Your cardiologist will use a local anesthetic to numb the spot where the in-

cision will be made. He will then thread a catheter (usually about the diameter of thin spaghetti) through the blood vessel and into the heart.

Beloit Health System can now use a radial artery in your arm, rather than the groin. This allows patients to return to walking sooner (actually walking from the cath lab table) and reduces any bleeding complications.

A television screen shows X-ray images of the catheter as it is threaded through the artery and into the heart’s chambers. The images help the cardiologist to guide the catheter into position.

With the catheter properly placed, your cardiologist can then carry out necessary tests or procedures to improve blood flow.

A cardiac catheterization takes about an hour and can be performed on an outpatient basis. Discomfort will be minimal. After the procedure, you’ll be moved to a recovery room, where pres-

Dr. Haroon Chughtai and Dr. Leo Egbujiobi are interventional cardiologists in Beloit Health System’s Heart and Vascular Center.

sure will be applied to the incision site, allowing it to seal naturally. Six to eight hours after undergoing the procedure, you’ll be on your feet again. To learn more, call (608) 364-5205. ❚ (Source: Beloit Health System)

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Through the Ages: 100 Years of RAM Through Jan. 26. If you haven’t yet seen this impressive display of Rockford Art Museum’s finest permanent pieces, zip on over before it’s too late. It’s part of RAM’s 100th anniversary celebration. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. 711 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 968-2787, rockfordartmuseum.org.

WomanFest 2014 Jan. 15, 7-8:30 a.m. Breakfast and inspirational stories from Womanspace members. Registration required. Contact Kathy Flanagan at (312) 659-2789 or KathyWomanspace@aol.com. Radisson Hotel, 200 S. Bell School Road, Rockford.

28th Annual Snow Sculpting Competition Jan. 15-18, daily to 11 p.m. Nearly 30 teams from around the state shape 5-ton blocks of snow into works of art, for a chance to compete in the U.S. National contest. Sinnissippi Park, Rockford, (815) 987-1636.

BIFF Year Round Jan. 15, 22 & 29, Feb. 5, 6 p.m. Gear up for the 2014 Beloit International Film Festival (opening Feb. 14) by catching films shown at Bushel & Peck’s in Beloit. Vote for your favorites. Jan. 15: Jake Squared; Jan. 22: Jimmy in Plenk; Jan. 29: Human War; Feb. 5: Colegas (Buddies). 328 State St., Beloit.

Wander at the Wetland Jan. 16, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Hike, snowshoe or ski trails set with luminaries, under the full moon, at Natural Land Institute’s Nygren Wetland Preserve, 3190 W. Rockton Road, Rockton.

Bonfires and refreshments, too. Register at (815) 964-6666 or email info@naturalland.org.

Art Lecture: Annie Leibovitz Jan. 16, noon-1:30 p.m., Womanspace.

This famous photographer began at Rolling Stone magazine in the ’70s and came to define her generation’s youth culture. 333 Maria Linden Dr., Rockford, (815) 877-0118.

UW-Rock County Orchestra Jan. 17, 7:30 p.m. This free concert is part of Local Talent Month. Janesville Performing Arts Center, Janesville, Wis., (608) 758-0297.

2014 Winterfest in Beloit Jan. 24 & 25, 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Two days of fun, from snow golf and ice skating to a Winterfest Dance with Bahama Bob. Find the full schedule at visitbeloit.com.

“The Old Covered Bridge,” 1910, by Walter Elmer Schofield, is among permanent pieces of the Rockford Art Museum collection on display through Jan. 26.

Backwoods and Homestead Cooking Jan. 25, 1-4 p.m. Learn to make Flat Apple Pie, homemade noodles and a simple rustic loaf of Irish Soda Bread. Ingredients provided. $35/$40 with apron. Big Hill Park Cabin, Afton & Big Hill roads, Beloit, Wis., weltycenter.org.

Bald Eagle Days Jan. 25-26, 8 a.m.-noon; 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

View eagles by using powerful scopes along the Mississippi River in the morning; attend educational programs running throughout the day at Cassville High School. Riverside Park Observatory, 100 W. Amelia St., Cassville, Wis. (608) 725-5855, cassville.org.

Sizzling Sunday at Discovery Center Museum Jan. 26, 1-4 p.m. Wear your loudest shirt and sunglasses to come play in the sand and celebrate a fiesta. Explore the culture, food and fun of Mexico. Latin Flamenco musicians Vince Chiarelli and Frank Calvanga will perform. No registration needed. 711 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 963-6769.

U.S. National Snow Sculpting Competition Jan. 29-Feb. 2, daily. In its 19th year, this snow sculpting competition brings together the nation’s best snow artists. Also music, magic, refreshments. Riviera Park, Lake Geneva, Wis., (262) 248-4416, usnationals.org.

Monster Jam Jan. 31-Feb. 1, Friday 7:30 p.m., Sat., 2 and 7:30 p.m. Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam stars the biggest performers on four wheels. BMO Harris Bank Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford, (815) 968-5222, thebmoharrisbankcenter.com. ❚ Smart Living Weekly

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2nd Cousins Bar & Grill, 6246 E. Riverside, Loves Park, (815) 637-2660: Fridays 9 p.m., Country Nights; Saturdays 9 p.m., DJ Jes One.

Onyx Bar & Grill, 1001 W. Lane Road, Machesney Park, (815) 904-6842.

1/25: X51; 2/7: Stevee Nix.

Big Al’s, 610 N. Bell School Road, Rkfd., (815) 398-6411: Live bands every Fri. and Sat. night.

Oscar’s Pub & Grill, 5980 E. State St., Rkfd., (815) 399-6100: Wed., Fri., Sat. music.

Butterfly Club, 5246 E. County Road X, Beloit, (608) 362-8577: Monthly 1st-2nd Fri.-Sat. Mike Williamson; 4th Fri.-Sat. Phil Ramsey; all 7 p.m.

Cannova’s, 1101 W. Empire, Freeport, (815) 233-0032: Live Pianist Fri.-Sat. 6-9 pm.

District Bar & Grill, 205 W. State, Rkfd., (815) 977-4524. 1/18 Cylinder; 1/25 Dueling Pianos, 8 p.m.

Franchesco’s, 7128 Spring Creek, Rkfd., (815) 229-0800. 1/17 Lucrezio; 1/18 Dueling Pianos; 1/25 Clutch Cargo.

Hope and Anchor, 5040 N. 2nd, Loves Park, (815) 977-8585.

JustGoods Listening Room, 201 7th St., Rkfd., (815) 965-8903: 1/17: Empty Pockets; 1/24: Jodi Beach & Jim McDowell; 1/31: JustGoods Showcase Concert; 2/7: Ry Petermann; 2/14: Poetry & Music with Trinadora and Swanberg; 2/21: Mark Dvorak.

Jax Pub, 4160 N. Perryville, Loves Park, (815) 877-0600: Wed., Fri., Sat., music.

Katie’s Cup, 502 7th St., Rkfd., (815) 986-0628.

Open Mic Night every Thursday night. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Kryptonite, 308 W. State, Rkfd., (815) 9650931. 1/17: Rick Monroe; 1/19: The Toasters; 1/24: Bloodlines 1neOFmani.

Mary’s Place, 602 N. Madison, Rkfd., (815) 962-7944. 1/24: Eric Lambert & Friends; 1/25: Neo Soul Night; 1/31: Hilly Jones. Karaoke on Wednesdays.

Murphy’s Pub & Grill, 501 S. Perryville, Rkfd., (815) 986-0950. Weekly Wed. DJ Sandy Monster; Thurs. DJ Aaron Hodge; Fri. DJ JES-ONE; all 9 p.m.

Poison Ivy, 5765 Elevator Road, Roscoe, (815) 623-1480: Live DJ Fri.-Sat. 9 p.m.

Rascal’s Bar & Grill, 5223 Torque Road, Loves Park, (815) 636-9207. 1/18: The Sensations; 1/25: Men of Our Times.

Restoration Café, 625 W. State, Rkfd., (815) 977-4361: Free live music every first Friday.

Shooters (inside Don Carter Lanes), 4007 E. State, (815) 399-0314. Live Band Sat., 9 p.m.

Shooters East (inside Cherry Bowl), 7171 Cherryvale Blvd., (815) 3325229. Check website.

Shooters North 7742 Forest Hills Road, Loves Park, (815) 654-3900.

Live Band Sat. Splitters, 5318 N. 2nd, Loves Park, (815) 8776051.

Whiskey’s Roadhouse Bar & Grill, 3207 N. Main St., Rockford.

Check website.❚

On State Bar & Restaurant, 4002 E. State St., Rkfd., (815) 708-6306.

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T  I

Increase Your Odds For Health

T

he Center for Disease Control and Prevention offers the following tips for lowering your odds of suffering from the most common debilitating conditions: heart disease, cancer, stroke and chronic lower respiratory disease.

• Don’t smoke. If you smoke or use other tobacco products, ask your doctor to help you quit. It’s also important to avoid exposure to secondhand smoke, air pollution and exposure to chemicals (such as in the workplace).

• Eat a healthful diet. Choose vegetables, fruits, whole grains, high-fiber foods and lean sources of protein, such as fish. Limit foods high in saturated fat and sodium.

• Maintain a healthy weight. Losing excess pounds — and keeping them off — can lower your risk of heart disease as well as various types of cancer.

• Get moving. Include physical activity in your daily routine. You know exercise can help you control your weight and lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. But did you know that it may also lower your risk of certain types of cancer?

Choose sports or other activities you enjoy, from basketball to brisk walking.

• Limit alcohol. If you choose to drink alcohol, do so only in moderation.

For men, that means up to two drinks a day for men age 65 and younger and one drink a day for men older than age 65. The risk of various types of cancer, such as liver cancer, appears to increase with the amount of alcohol you drink and the length of time you’ve been drinking regularly. Too much alcohol can also raise your blood pressure. ❚ Learn more at cdc.gov.

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Let’s Review An Insurance and Financial Review is a great way to make sure you have the coverage you need for your current lifestyle and a comfortable future. Call me to schedule one today.

Tom Graceffa Rolling Meadows

847-963-8851 tom.graceffa@ countryfinancial.com

012014-00081AC

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Tips for Acing Your Next Job Interview A

cing the interview is essential if you want to convince the employer that you’re the right person for the job.

“The goal for the candidate is to receive a job offer, and the goal for the company is to find the perfect person for the job,” says Joe Seitz, director of career services at Everest Institute-Grand Rapids. Here are some tips:

Practice Makes Perfect Hundreds of websites provide traditional job interview questions, so think about what kind of answers you’d give. For example, “What is your worst quality?” could be turned into an opportunity to show your future employer you identify your faults, but are able to recognize opportunities to improve, with examples of how you’ve already taken steps in this direction. Employers ask these kinds of questions in many different ways, so think of actual examples and prepare mini-sound bites to describe your skills.

Be Yourself Although the interview is a great time to

sell yourself to a potential employer, be careful not to go overboard.

Employers want to know what you’ve really done. Communicate any career training you have and how it relates to the position.

“New graduates can bring fresh ideas to the company, and are trainable to perfectly match what the company needs,” says Seitz.

Be yourself, and in cases where you lack experience, display a willingness and desire to learn the necessary skills.

Every Interaction Counts Anyone you encounter within proximity to the interview setting can have a direct influence on its outcome. Having a positive and respectful attitude sets you up for success during the interview.

“Smile, be polite and greet every person you meet, from the moment you get into your car to drive to the interview to the time you arrive home,” says Seitz.

Follow Up Good follow-through is important and shows a potential employer that a candidate cares about the opportunity. Be sure to send a note to everyone who interviewed you thanking them for their time and consideration. The interview is a formal process, so hand-write a thankyou note and send it through the mail. ❚ Source: BPT Get SLW Money articles every week.

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