Culture

CU-SURJ offers advice on talking about “blue lives matter,” calls to action for election defense, phone banking, and ways to show up for racial justice this week.

Pygmalion, Pride, and more; here are our recommendations for your weekend. 

First Followers, which began as drop-in center where formerly incarcerated individuals could receive mentoring and guidance, is expanding it's scope. 

The coroner's office handles death investigations when the cause of death is unknown. Sometimes, those investigations require the expertise of a forensic anthropologist.

The pocket park off Bradley Ave. in Champaign was donated by a man named Clarence Thompson, who once owned a grand hotel downtown, on the same site as a new hotel planned for after the pandemic fades away. 

After receiving a $400,000 grant from the Illinois COVID Response Fund, DREAAM House will be able to expand services for underserved families in C-U. 

This weekend will be peak “get outside” weather. We have suggestions of things you can do from your front porch or out and about.

The team from the C-U chapter of Standing Up For Racial Justice examines the importance of disability justice in the broader movement for racial justice. 

This network of trails and ponds and a park showcases what it means for developers to take seriously their projects with consideration for the future of the neighborhood. 

Cynthia Cunningham is running against Mike Marron for State Representative of the 104th District.

Skelton Park sits on one of the most promising corners in all of Champaign-Urbana. Change is coming, and the best we can ask for now is that we make an investment into its green space. 

It's been a week. We have some suggestions to help you unwind and enjoy your weekend.

Of the many places that are near and dear to Seth's heart in Champaign-Urbana, Patterson Parklet might top the list. 

Six months ago, Urbana police officers arrested Aleyah Lewis, sparking controversy and protest. Urbana hired an outside firm to investigate the situation. They found the officers acted “in policy.” 

Apolonia chats with the organizers of C-U Black & African Arts Festival about staying relevant as an event through a pandemic, their respective history in C-U, and more.

Lessons in local history abound if you know where to look.

This south Champaign neighborhood park is a great spot to spend time with the family… if you live in the neighborhood. Otherwise, you'd never likely know it is there. 

Student Grace Brock, a member of Kreative Vision Multimedia Club, offers observations about the tumultuous events of 2020.

What do all those county officials actually do? To help you prepare for the November election, here is a quick guide to who's up for election. 

It's been a relatively dry August, except for a wild derecho that swept through mid-month. 

We know it's a long weekend, but please find ways to enjoy it safely. We have some suggestions for you within.

Mattis Park is located off Devonshire Dr. in south Champaign, and to be clear, it is a fantastic place to be alive and human, no matter how happy or sad you might be at the moment. 

Tuesday's Champaign City Council meeting about zoning and city contracts turned into a debate about who gets to have a say in what a neighborhood is and sloppy management of a contract worth $200,000. 

Claire interviews Heidi Weatherford and Jill Crandall of Amasong about the mission of the chorus, how COVID has changed it, and more.

This perfect neighborhood spot in east Urbana is a great respite for anytime you might want to have an intimate game of tennis, or a fun day on a nice playground with the kids 

As we inch closer to the November election, voters are starting to think about what offices are up for election and what they want to see. Do you know what you want from your county government? 

On Monday, members of Urbana City Council began the process of reviewing which Urbana charities will receive government money this year. This money has the potential to create jobs and help people's lives, if it's allocated responsibly. 

The Art Theater is closed, maybe forever, but Tom is back for one last tribute. 

It's the first full weekend with students back. If that inspires you to hibernate, we have some suggestions. If you're still planning to head out and about, we have you covered there too. 

This little lake is stocked with fish, and open for canoes and kayaks, and quite frankly, is one of the better places to spend an afternoon with someone you love, or even someone you just like. Look around, and you will also find one of the better art galleries in all of Champaign-Urbana. 

This year's PYGMALION program is an all-virtual affair, featuring appearances by Ilana Glazer, Ari Shapiro, Bernardine Evaristo, Terrance Hayes, Napoleon Dynamite Live, and more.

There are so many damn parks in Champaign, that sometimes, we don't even know they existed. This is a positive thing, like waiting until you age longer to listen to an old album you've been saving. Excitement awaits! 

On August 3rd, Julie Laut took over the recently vacant Ward 2 seat on Urbana's City Council. She's progressive, a historian, and a community organizer. 

The Champaign-Urbana chapter of Showing Up For Racial Justice offers some easily accessible actions for this week. 

Urbana Police Lieutenant Joel Sanders brought a proposal to the Urbana City Council that would address policing of citizens in crisis. 

Live music, civic responsibility, and corn. This weekend has a lot to offer. 

Peeling off a long strip of Duncan Road just off Windsor, this neighborhood park has been serving the people who live in the southwest part of Champaign for over twenty years. 

This is a very nice and well designed space that complements the Unit 4 school on site. But any analysis of this park demands a deeper look into one of our current problems inside of the City of Champaign. 

Trina Wright-Dixon is making a difference as the first Black board chair for the Community Foundation of East Central Illinois.

In 2017, Chester Street closed its doors for good and relinquished its standing as the most prolific gay bar in Champaign-Urbana. The questions around the future of queer performance spaces in C-U are still sorely lacking in answers. 

Sure it's mid-August already, but summer is still happening. Here are a few suggestions for late summer fun.

Outside of a few missing chess boards, this sitting park is a nice little respite from the busy Downtown it sits across from, and pays homage to our local fire crew. 

The Champaign County Humane Society offers programs with the ultimate goal of making sure that animals are in good homes and don't need to end up in the shelter in the first place.

Is Eisner the best park in all of Champaign? It's in the discussion, that is for sure. 

Lessons in local history abound if you know where to look.

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Illinois provides rich educational experiences for older adults. 

Need some inspiration for your weekend? Here are our suggestions. 

Andrew recaps a July filled with hot, humid days and a few exciting weather events.