SPlog

The City of Urbana announced the 2018 Urbana Arts Grants Program, where up to $47,500 will be awarded to “artists, arts organization, and festival presenters for creative projects that enrich the lives of Urbana residents …

Ashar African Market, a grocery store specializing in African groceries, is opening in Urbana at 501 N. Cunningham Avenue. Check out their Facebook post here. Their Facebook page is linked above, and they’ll be hosting …

It’s a bit unseasonably warm this week, but frigid temperatures are looming. If you’re feeling that spirit of giving this holiday season, why not provide a Unit 4 student with a warm coat for the …

While there aren’t a ton of details about Triptych Brewing‘s annual Festivus celebration is on Saturday, December 23rd from 12-11 p.m. at their brewery in Savoy. You can see what they will be serving up …

Yes, that appears to be a lot of presents above. Look, I have a little boy who is almost four. This is really the first moment that he really “gets” what the prospect of Christmas …

Michael Shoaf, a 2017 Illinois Theatre MFA Lighting Design graduate, will be featured on ABC TV’s The Great Christmas Light Fight tonight, December 18th, at 7 p.m. You can watch the promo video here.

Roger Ebert’s Film Festival, better known as Ebertfest, is celebrating 20 years in 2018 — that is exciting stuff, especially as we’re anxiously awaiting the information about the upcoming festival. For the time being, you …

Bacaro‘s founder Thad Morrow will make a return to the kitchen he once owned (before heading to take job with Blue Apron) on New Year’s Eve to ring in 2018 as a part of the …

From the press release:  Press Release – MCORE Project Set to Reopen Green Street & Temporary Road Closure Announcement On Friday, December 15, 2017 (by 3:30 p.m.), the Multimodal Corridor Enhancement Project (MCORE) will reopen …

If there was one local band that really captured my adolescent attention when I was growing up, it was Castor. They had all the makings of everything that I believed the Champaign-Urbana music scene to …

Evidently, Honey Baked Ham hasn’t run a national commercial advertisement on televison for a very very long time. And its reentry stars former Central thespian and my dear friend, Abbey DiGregario (née McBride).  It’s funny, …

Local activist group Bend the Arc-CU (formerly Hineni-CU) is hosting a forum at the Champaign Public Library on December 20th from 6:30-8:30 p.m. They’ve invited several speakers to share ideas on how community members can …

The story of the Urbana Landmark Hotel has turned out to be a fairly insane situation — you can read up on the hotel’s situation here for the most part, plus the links within the …

Illinois vs. Longwood 7 pm TV: Big Ten Network Injuries suck, but not all injuries are created equal. Right now, Illinois players Leron Black (elbow, suffered versus UNLV) and Kipper Nichols (undisclosed practice injury) are …

I went to the WheelHouse in St. Joseph last night, my second time there since they opened a few months ago. Jillian gave it a review a few weeks back, which you can read if …

The Black Student SUCCESS Project at Parkland College will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2018. Founded in 2008 by Parkland College Professor/Counselor Donna Tanner-Harold through an Innovations grant from the college, the project offers students …

During last night’s Unit 4 School Board meeting, they approved the project of renovating the Spalding Park area north of Downtown Champaign — a project costing $3.6M. All of this was a part of the …

Broad Comedy is a group that aims to bring more women and diversity to the comedy scene in C-U, and they are hosting their final open mic of 2017 tonight at Pizza M at 7 …

People order holiday cookies, cakes, pies, and other sweet treats…why not include doughnuts? Pandamonium Doughnuts is accepting orders for Christmas (details below). Might be nice for the kiddos (and adults) to have a doughnut (or …

While this post is a bit geared (oh god, not a pun…) towards students, there’s some helpful information posted on Neutral Cycle‘s blog about how to protect your bike during the winter months. After all, …

The University of Illinois Library is something to be revered — it has announced that they have just added their 14 millionth book to their collection. This begins their 14 millionth volume of books. Check out …

Salt and Light Ministries has been operating in North Champaign since 2004, providing food, clothing, work experience, financial experience, and more for community members in need. It’s a marvelous place to donate your stuff in that …

From the press release: Jon Seydl Named as New Director of Krannert Art Museum at the University of Illinois CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Jon Seydl, an art historian specializing in Italian Renaissance art, has been named …

After being deemed not financially feasable, the much-discussed Urbana Landmark Hotel is going up for auction today on Ten-X at 11 am CST. Starting bid, you ask? $1,200,000. Click through and check out the photos, …

Illinois vs. UNLV Saturday, December 9th at 11 p.m. in Las Vegas TV: ESPN2 A Saturday in Vegas may not pay out for the Illini, because UNLV is sneakily one of the best teams in …

The Virginia Theater will be beginning their “The Best Christmas Movies Ever” film series next week! Clear your schedule because you can enjoy a Christmas classic and a complimentary cup of hot chocolate for $6.  …

Habitat for Humanity will help you out if you’re in a bind before the holidays roll around too quickly. If you’re like me, wrapping gifts isn’t your favorite thing in the world — so why …

There’s nothing quite like egg nog during this time of the year, and Courier Cafe is offering them up, alongside a bunch of other holiday specials. Check out the holiday specials, and the peppermint and …

Grab some great gifts for friends and family next week at Bentley’s Pub‘s Maker’s Monday Holiday Pop-Up Shop, happening Monday, December 11th from 5-9 p.m. Vendors include: Fire Doll Studio Tracks on Wax Soy Candles Ceramics by …

The holidays are upon us, and what better way to make the season a bit easier than get some things from Pekara’s holiday menu. Orders must be in by December 20th by 5 p.m., in …

116 N Walnut in Downtown Champaign has undergone more changes over the past seven years than, perhaps, most any other address in the area.  Once a staple for audiophiles and bibliophiles as Old Main Book …

This past spring, University students voted on whether or not to keep the semesterly fee regarding the current (and super convenient) CUMTD services available to students. It is great to say that the Illinois Student …

Psych rock outfit ZXO has released their much-anticipated new record, LP1, which you can stream below at your leisure. <a data-cke-saved-href=”http://zxomusic.bandcamp.com/album/lp1″ href=”http://zxomusic.bandcamp.com/album/lp1″>LP1 by ZXO</a>

Today, the News-Gazette published a little piece on local anti-Chinese crusader Dennis Toeppen, who infamously denigrated Chinese people, then apologized but not really, and then attempted an actual apology (clearly written by someone not named …

With an exciting upset win over Washington, the Illini advance to the NCAA Sweet 16. They take on Michigan State on Friday. Scott Wells has followed the team for us all season, and has provided …

This Friday evening, Mike Lopez will be doing a “performative fabric installation piece” entitled “Pieces (Outhaus).” Mike says:  “For this addition to the Pieces collection, a custom bag will be made that includes a wrapping …

Illinois vs. Austin Peay 7 pm TV: Big Ten Network If Illinois has another close game tonight, sound the alarms. Playing against Austin Peay, the Illini should easily secure their seventh victory of the season …

Last night, the Champaign City Council voted on a plea from PACA (Preservation and Conservation Association) to grant landmark status to the Burnham House on Lynn and Church Streets in Champaign, as well as two …

Suburban Express is trying to save any sort of skin they have in the game after the recent extremely racist promotional email they sent out a handful of days ago. The story has gone far …

Sun Singer is serving up brunch this weekend, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.:  No confirmation on the menu yet, but you can scroll through Facebook for previous brunch menus (which have included quiche, pancakes, …

Local artist SPRK has released his debut EP Nadir and features three Champaign rap artists (Blackmage, Young Club and Rota). The EP is somewhere between Bon Iver and Francis and the Lights.  Check it out on …

Perimeter Road Sound Recordings is a student staffed record label at Parkland College. They are currently looking for artists to sign for 2018, which would involve recording an EP or album. Check out the flyer below. 

Our Landmark is going to be releasing their debut album What the Silence Says on Friday, December 8. From what we’ve heard so far it’s definitely one to check out.  Check out “After Them” released exclusively to Smile …

Tomorrow, Tuesday, December 5th, Caribbean Grill‘s storefront turns 6 months old. To celebrate this milestone, the restaurant is offering those delicious jerk chicken burritos for only $1 from 4 to 8 p.m. They’re worth the wait …

On Saturday, we noted that Suburban Express is pretty racist and awful. Well, now the rest of America knows, too, thanks to CNN picking up the story. Oh, and then there’s the Chicago Tribune and the …

CJ Run has released a new track, “Runs World”, which debuted on Prime Fortune today. From the press release: About the single “Runs World”: Runs World takes a look at CJ’s past, present, and future, …

From the press release: Most MTD Service to Resume on Green Street Monday  Champaign-Urbana, IL—As road construction for the Multimodal Corridor Enhancement Project (MCORE) winds down for the winter, Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District (MTD) buses …

Starting Monday, December 4th, the City of Urbana parking deck located at 111 West Main Street in downtown Urbana, will be transitioning from a staffed parking deck to parking meters with MoblieMeter. MobileMeter allows its users …