SPlog

After just celebrating its 22nd birthday, Downtown Champaign staple Cafe Kopi is ready for the holidays with all your favorite holiday flavors but with its own special twist to keep true to Kopi’s style. This …

Residents of Champaign County can now request a ballot to vote by mail for the March 15, 2016 Primary Election. No excuse is required to vote by mail. To request a ballot to vote by …

Editor’s Note: This is a statement provided to us from the coordinating committee for the Build Programs, Not Jails organization in response to the ongoing discussion surrounding Champaign-County’s newly-proposed Racial Justice Task Force. County Board …

The Pygmalion Festival took place this past September, and the festival added an entire new Tech component into the mix. With that, there’s plenty to check out in addition to Music, Lit and Made. There …

It is a truth universally acknowledged that an artist in possession of a creative spirit must be in want of a fortune.  You are fortunate enough to live in a community with a thriving arts …

I know, it’s starting to get to be cold outside (though this week was a shining exception), you know, not just like “this is chilly”-cold, but more like “wow, why does it hurt my face …

Episode Two: Mapo Tofu Episode 2. Mapo Tofu The way of cooking the Perfect Mapo Tofu! (Five Factors! Spiciness, Aroma, Heat, Color and Numb!) Phew… the subtitle took me FOREVERRRRR i hope it make sense …

Today at 5:30, community members and a coalition of local organizations will meet at the Champaign Police Department (University and First) to protest Officer Matt Rush’s continued presence as an active duty officer in Champaign. …

I spoke with Mandy Danowitz who is the current operator of what was once Indigo Artist Co-op. Danowitz says: Indigo is no more and it has been very confusing for the public so we are …

Ebertfest 2016 is right around the corner, but you can now relive parts of 2015’s festival below, as published by Shatterglass Studios. Check it out below or over at Indiewire: h/t to the News-Gazette, which …

The second annual Bourbon, Beer & Bacon Festival will return to the Fluid Event Center on Saturday, April 30th, 2016. From 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., you can sample plenty of booze and food, and …

Registration for Parkland College Community Education spring classes is now underway, with a brand new lineup of courses, workshops, and cultural events for the New Year.  Community residents can use Parkland’s spring 2016 noncredit schedule …

For proof:  Episode 1. Awesome Fried Rice ALL HAIL TO THE KING OF FRIED RICE! (iv decided to make our OWN COOKING ANIMATION series! Episode 1. Awesome Fried Rice! Posted by Golden Harbor on Sunday, …

Dude is a monster.  Can’t stop. Won’t stop.  Yes, that is the Smile Politely CMS open and ready to publish.  Happy birthday, Patrick. 

Furniture Lounge would like to give back this Holiday Season by taking donations for the Champaign County Humane Society. Bring in an item from their wish list OR drop a cash donation at our desk and …

The title of the article on Washington Post pretty much says it all: “Call this number and a live person will sing you any Christmas song, 24/7. Really.” Dial-A-Carol is set up in U of I’s …

The Art Theater’s anticipated screening of In Jackson Heights is set for Monday, Dec. 14th at 7 p.m. The second scheduled benefit for Members  was originally slated for last Monday but it was delayed due to …

UIC (1-5) All-time: 13-2 (last Illinois 74-60 UIC, 12/28/13) Tip-off: December 12th, 1 p.m. TV: ESPN3 So far this season, UIC has beaten NAIA team Roosevelt and no one else. So, if anyone’s wondering why …

Good news: The University of Illinois Extension will be hosting Master Gardener Training in January 2016 for everyone that wants to learn more about working with plants. Each class allows the students to tackle a different …

Papa Del’s is moving to their new location on Neil Street in January, and we have official word that the last day of operations for their Green Street location is December 19th. We learned a …

For those of you who love local brewers Triptych (as well you should), they have just announced an awesome holiday party at their Savoy location. Included will be a Dragon Fire “pizza feast” (the truck …

Smile Politely Radio is back after a two-week hiatus. Join us at 5:30 p.m. for a conversation with Andrew Fell Architecture about design and building history in Champaign County.  Smile Politely Radio airs each Friday …

Musicians + gear lovers, listen up — Analog Outfitters is moving, and they’re getting rid of some things. Perhaps just in time to treat yourself or a friend for the holidays. Per the Facebook event: …

Ahead of her headlining show at Cowboy Monkey tonight (as 1/2 of Mother Nature), Champaign emcee T.R.U.T.H drops a bit of a pre-game, a new track entitled “Stop Killin My People.” There’s a lot to …

Downtown Champaign newbie Nando Milano is serving up some sea bass as a special tonight, per Facebook: “Sea Bass Alla Provenzale prepared with roasted green peppers, onions, capers, black olives, potatoes, in a citrus tomato …

Warm minestrone and a slice with pesto, artichokes, tomatoes, pepperoncini, goat cheese and mozzarella? Yes, please. This will probably cost about $10, and surely be well worth it. Photo from Facebook. 

If you have ever wanted to experience the wonders of nature at night, now is your chance. On Tuesday, December 22nd from 6:30-7:30 p.m., Urbana Park District will be offering a guided Winter Solstice Hike …

I stopped into today to Snow Meets Coffee, the new coffee shop downtown, to try one of their bubble teas. Looking at their menu I noticed there was no green tea bubble tea and so …

Ever want to talk to someone who has ran quite literally all over the world? Champaign Surplus is hosing Outdoor You on Tuesday, December 15th at 6 p.m., and will be offering just that. Neena Tripathy …

Yale (5-3) All-time: 2-0 (last meeting Illinois 73-47 Yale (11/23/2010 in Champaign) Tip-off: 7 pm at State Farm Center TV: ESPN3 Remember the days when a blowout win against a bunch of Ivy nerds was …

For those of us who have been hangin’ around Champaign-Urbana for a long while, and those who have also been thinking about music for the duration, we remember Periscope Records and remember it fondly.  It …

Urbana unveils a new Artist of the Corridor, displaying Travis Hocutt’s artwork in the Urbana City Building at 400 S. Vine St. from December 1st to February 29th. He will also have an exhibition at …

This past weekend, The Highdive was open as The Highdive for the final time. It has been announced that venue will undergo a rebrand and change in 2016: The venue will become The Accord.   …

La Carta Nuestra, a new digital alternative media source, is now live after celebrating its launch event next week. The website is dedicated to social justice, empowering and promoting solidarity among communities of color. LCN is …

Some news from Champaign Cycle, as they have announced they’re closing the Urbana location at the end of 2015. The shop opened in Downtown Urbana in March 2014. Here’s some information they sent out in …

At 6 p.m. on Thursday, December 10th, Crane Alley will tap four different New Belgium beers:  New Belgium La Folie Sour Brown New Belgium Le Terroir Dry Hopped Sour New Belgium Love Oscar Dark Sour …

A few hours ago, Roks Tacos’ Facebook announced that they will closing permanently. Folks are chiming in as to reasons why and also posting sentiments to the delicious food the truck served. RIP Roks. ROKs …

THIRD ANNUAL JAPAN HOUSE POP-UP HOLIDAY BAZAAR December 12-13, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. both days. Japan House is holding its third annual Holiday Bazaar this weekend, with proceeds going to fund its internship program. Just a …

From the press release: 2016 Innovation Celebration Finalists Announced DECEMBER 7, 2015 | Category: BUSINESS, CHAMPAIGN, CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, COMMUNITY, INNOVATION CELEBRATION, NEWS ROOM, PARKLAND COLLEGE, RANTOUL, RESEARCH PARK, TECHNOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, URBANA The Champaign County Economic Development …

Western Carolina (3-4) All-time: 0-2 (last Illinois 72 – 64 WCU, 12/4/12) Tip-off: 2 p.m. at State Farm Center TV: ESPN3 Western Carolina’s wins have come against UNC-Asheville, Hiwassee, and Warren Wilson…yep. Maybe, finally, the …

Here’s some cool news coming from bacaro founder Thad Morrow: He’ll be featured as a contestant on Food Network’s Cutthroat Kitchen, hosted by Alton Brown, on January 17th at 9 p.m. CST. Check out our feature on …

One of the coolest things about Downtown Urbana has been its ability to foster some really awesome and unique creative businesses — including Norden. Starting tonight and running through December 20th, they’re hosting a pop-up …

As you probably know by now, Common Ground is expanding to Champaign with a second location in addition to their Urbana store. Next Friday, December 11th from 5:30-7 p.m., they’ll be holding an event in …

Last week I was walking down Neil St. and noticed that Weiskamp did not have a display up in their window. Instead, I was able to see inside of the business and got a glimpse …

If you’re a Downton Abbey fan — keep reading. WILL-TV is offering a free preview showing of the Season 6 Premiere of Downton Abbey at 7 pm, December 10th at the Virginia Theatre. That’s right — you …

This Saturday, Kessler Optical is having a trunk show to display their three new frame lines at their office, 44 E. Main Street in Champaign. The designs that will be featured include: LA Eyeworks, funky …

Ever wanted to sit and drink whisky with U of I alum Nick Offerman? Well, here’s your opportunity… uh, virtually. Earlier today, Offerman was featured in this yule log video: Offerman sits alone, silently, with a …

On Friday night, Dec. 4, there will be a victory party for the Campaign for Prison Phone Justice as the Independent Media Center (202 S. Broadway, old Urbana post office). The event will take place 5:30 …