The Illinois budget crisis strikes again, and Courage Connection, a local women’s domestic violence shelter, is in danger of having to close its doors. They are reaching out with an emergency donation campaign to stay …
For the visually-inclined, one of the best local businesses in town is Kessler Optical, who stocks one of the biggest (and coolest) collections of eyewear in C-U. Last week, they announced the stocking of a …
We’re wrapping up Ebertfest with another set of photos and words that exhibit what makes Ebertfest great. Scroll to the end of the article to read my full analysis of the festival. Here is some …
Star Karaoke is expanding and opening up another restaurant space just across the parking lot in the Savoy Plaza shopping area, according to the News-Gazette. Star BBQ is set to open at the end of …
The fifth iteration of Audiofeed Music Festival will take place in Urbana from June 30 to July 2, and they’ve announced the full lineup of musical acts, as displayed below. For additional details and more …
Back with another day of photos and words for you to enjoy from Ebertfest 2017! Every year Ebertfests hosts a sale for local artists. In particular, they invite young artists with disabilities to participate. This …
I’ve heard from numerous runners that the Illinois Marathon is fun to run. Why? Many reasons. The land is flat, the trees are beautiful, the weather is mild and most importantly, the fans are out. …
Welcome back to my Ebertfest photo journal. Here are ten meaningful shots from yesterday’s festival. I started my day off by stopping in Cafe Kopi for a sandwich. I asked them to just put it …
The day kicked off with a panel discussion at the Hyatt in Downtown Champaign. The topic was empathy and many of the panel members were young people in film and media. The central question seemed …
I’ve driven by this house on the corner of State and Healey for years, never knowing exactly what it was all about. After seeing an event posting on Facebook, I looked up some info and …
It’s been a little while since we’ve heard any new lunch specials come out of Farren’s, Downtown Champaign’s resident burger masters. Fear not, however, because yesterday, they unleashed some new specials on the world, including tortilla …
If you’re a product of the 21st century as we all pretty much are at this point, there is no doubt that you are familiar with TED talks, where experts from various fields are invited …
As the activity ramps up over these spring weekends, a scary realization will be hitting Champaign-Urbana’s residents – the University of Illinois’ graduation weekend falls on the same weekend as Mothers’ Day. As if C-U …
I was walking to Flying Machine Coffee in Downtown Urbana a few days ago, and noticed this signage on a door about a half block down (next to Siam Terrace). Snapped a photo, and looked …
As many of you have seen, this weekend the Illinois 5K and Illinois Marathon will be taking place on Friday, April 21st and Saturday, April 22nd. Which means that MTD will be rerouting buses throughout Campustown …
The trend is continuing, another food truck is making the jump to brick-and-mortar in 2017. This time, it is arguably the most popular/in demand of them all — Pandamonium Doughnuts. Cracked recently opened their storefront, and …
Mondays suck. They suck way less if you get two free tomato plants, and can be entered into a drawing to win a $150 gift card to Portillo’s. Thanks to the good folks over at …
I am attending all of Ebertfest with my camera, and I am going to share my 10 favorite shots from each day with you. Here is day one: The line started forming around 3 p.m. …
Next month is National Bike Month, and to celebrate, the City of Urbana is teaming up with My City Bikes to bring you a group bike ride on May 20th. The event will begin at Urbana’s …
Pekara (116 North Neil Street, Champaign) now has salads, sandwiches, and soups available in a refrigerated case, ready to go when you’re short on time: Very convenient! Top photo by Jessica Hammie.
Here’s an upcoming panel discussion put on by the University of Illinois Library on April 27th at 1 p.m. From the Facebook event: Vladimir Putin, as a political and cultural figure, seems to be everywhere …
Here’s your weird story of the day, and one that hopefully entertains you. Former Illini PA announcer and C-U resident Mike Cation (pictured left) was calling a tennis match, but not just any tennis match: …
Tomorrow, Thursday April 20th — State Senator Daniel Biss will be making a stop at Quality in Downtown Champaign from 5-8 p.m. to talk to citizens. From the email press release: Join the Young Democrats …
Want to get out of the house and enjoy nature while supporting Allerton Park at the same time? Well here’s your chance because Allerton Park and Recreation Center will be hosting it’s 4th Annual plant sale …
Future Founders has recognized TEC’s Cozad New Venture Competition as Campus Entrepreneurial Event of the Year. Every year, several Chicagoland colleges and universities are awarded and reconginzed by Future Founders for their contributions to the entrepreneurial community. The …
Miga has a new brunch menu in the works, and it looks delicious: No word yet on when this menu will debut, but check Miga’s Facebook page for more info. In the meantime, check out SP’s …
Sure, you know Columbia Street Roastery. In my opinion, they’ve got the best coffee in town, especially their Colombian coffee. But did you know that all of that coffee is actually grown in Colombia (Central …
Urbana-based garage punk band Puzzle Quest have released a video for their song “The New Flesh.” In it, the band members take sledgehammers and pickaxes to various types of electrical appliances, mostly ancient computer monitors …
If you’re not familiar with PechaKucha, imagine a TED talk, but a little quicker and not necessarily technology-based. PechaKucha strives to bring diverse speakers from a ton of different backgrounds in Champaign-Urbana, together for one …
The Urbana Public Arts Program awards grant money every year to local artists and organizations who will be making art to experience in Urbana. The 2017 recipients have been announced on the Urbana Arts website, …
I came across this fun tidbit on Papa Del’s Facebook page today. Apparently when they have a canceled order, they freeze the pizza until they collect enough for a donation. They also donate lunch special …
From the press release: KRANNERT CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS ANNOUNCES THE 2017-18 YOUTH SERIES Urbana, IL—For decades, Krannert Center has welcomed thousands of the region’s young people each season for a series of inventive and …
One of the best things about living in Champaign-Urbana is our extremely robust Mass Transit District. Even more-so, this month, they have announced their acquisition of 18 new, diesel-electric hybrids, coming to a Champaign-Urbana street …
It’s been six months since Harvest Market opened its doors, and frankly, I’ve come around to it in a pretty big way. Case in point, its butcher is now doing cowboy ribeyes and upon being …
Been thinking about Eddie this past week since we learned his brother Charlie Murphy passed into the Eternal Dream State. Found this tonight staring into the matrix, otherwise known as Facebook AKA where happiness goes …
Allerton Park and Retreat Center is hosting a five-course forest-to-mansion dinner on Sunday, May 7th. This is the third iteration of this event, and it’s bound to be a charm. Five local chefs with forage …
The Hyve Touch Synth is an innovative handheld synthesizer that responds to touch and movement. The 60-voice polyphonic analog synth is truly one of a kind. Its sophisticated circuitry is extremely user-friendly, enabling people of …
Every year, the College of Media at U of I hosts a short-film festival that aims to bring diversity to the community. The festival is curated by students for the community and accepts submissions from …
The Champaign County Humane Society will be hosting it’s annual Mutt Strut fundraiser on Saturday, May 7th. Check out the press release below for the all the details, including how to get yourself and your …
Why do all the things that I love leave me? Goodbye, Mashawi Grill, one of the best and most affordable restaurants in Campustown, and the entirety of Champaign-Urbana. You will be missed – and so …
Next Thursday (April 27th), The Channing Murray Foundation on campus will be hosting a talk with renown media scholar (and UIUC professor) Dr. Robert McChesney entitled “This is What Happens When Journalism Dies: Trump, Fake …
If you’ve been driving around Champaign-Urbana, recently, there’s a decent chance that you’ve encountered closures along Green Street, what is (arguably) C-U’s most populated street. While the construction seems to snarl some traffic and certainly …
You may have heard recently that the Art is having technical difficulties with its digital projector (please stand by…) But being artistic, creative, and adaptable has been the earmark of our local landmark, and responsible …
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, a fast-food chain with locations in 28-ish states, is opening a restauarant in Champaign, near Marketplace Mall, according to our friends at Chamabanamoms.com. The closest locations right now are in …
To me, spring time means spring flowers, and when you can enjoy the seasonal favorite while giving to a good cause, I’m all in. This year Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumnae Flower Sale celebrates it’s 48th …
Opening day for The Land Connection Champaign Farmers’ Market has been announced. Join them on May 16th from 3:30-6:30 p.m.for great local food and vendors in the heart of Downtown Champaign. This year the market is …
I was walking by Fleurish in Downtown Champaign, today, and I decided to stop in and see what was going on – obviously, it’s getting warmer and plants are starting to grow, and I could …
There’s a pretty polarizing new program on VICELAND called Jungletown — where a group of Americans travel to Panama to build a town. Former C-U resident Esteban Gast is one of the main people featured in the program. Check …
World Harvest celebrated their new location (er, merger) with Strawberry Fields in Downtown Urbana today. Congrats to Mohammad and everyone involved. Great day in Downtown Urbana, World Harvest’s new location at Strawberry Fields opens. …
