SPlog

I thought this would be a particulary important thing to share, because this isn’t entirely common knowledge. One of those “the more you know” moments, I suppose. If you’re visiting Allerton Park over the next few …

Tonight on Smile Politely Radio we chat with Will Patterson, Professor of Educational Policy and host of WEFT’s own Hip Hop Xpress. We’ll be chatting about hip hop in C-U and Patterson’s courses at the …

You are invited to a Pickle Party Potluck, Saturday, November 14th from 3-7 p.m. at Sipyard in DT Urbana. BYOP (Bring Your Own Pickles), bundle up (like a pickle in a jar) and join us …

Tonght at 7:00 pm, the IMC will host a talk by James Kilgore on his new book Understanding MassIncarceration: A People’s Guide to the Key Civil Rights Struggle of Our Time.  You can listen to James talk about his book at Smile Politely …

And these characters are ones you should watch.  This weekend, Urbana High School is putting on The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and I have to admit, I had a great time watching it. The …

Smile Politely Radio, one of the freshest local community radio shows around, got crazy on our fifth birthday, and we are now on iTunes. You heard me right: iTunes. You may have heard of it. This …

The Land Connection is hosting a Holiday Happy Hour at Pizzeria Antica on Thursday, December 3rd. Tickets are $20, and can be purchased here.  Details are in the press release:  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Holiday Happy …

If you don’t already, you might want to follow Old Time Meat and Deli on Facebook. The store offers various deals (this week’s is a sweet deal on tri-tip beef).  Check it out; the deals …

KoFusion has been around Downtown Champaign for quite some time now, and recently opened a second location in Gregory Place near Krannert. Now, they will be expanding to their third location — this one in …

Update (11/16): Common Ground has announced an extension to their loan program – it will now be going until the end of this week, so there’s even more time to give and support an awesome …

I don’t need to convince you that Josh George is a badass. You can find those things out pretty easily without me saying them. World record holder. Marathon champion. The list goes on.  Check out …

Pekara Bakery is back with its special Thanksgiving menu for November, which is packed full of delicious classics, but with a special twist. There are now breads in every style and flavor available to celebrate …

On Saturday the 14th, from 11:00 to 3:00, the Urbana Park District will be hosting their version of America Recycles Day at  the Anita Purves Nature Center. Patrons will be welcome to create something from recycled …

From the press release: B Fit Training to Open in Downtown Champaign  Opening Party on November 14th  Champaign, IL, November 9, 2015:  B Fit Training will become the newest business in Downtown Champaign when it …

According to Brian Bennett, Big Ten reporter for ESPN.com, the University of Illinois’ Atheltic Department will be firing Mike Thomas following the release of an independent investigation. The investigation is set to be released at …

Bring out your dead! (or those getting better…) While everyone was all excited about 10-21-2015, most people overlooked the important 10-14-15, which was the 40th anniversary of Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The Virginia Theatre, …

The short answer: cinnamon orange hot tea from Cafe Kopi. Ask the barista to use some regular water and then add some honey. Now, for the long answer.  Tis’ the season for coughs, colds, and …

Former Champaign-Urbana songstress Megan Johns is back, but this time, her project goes by the name of Moonwish. The first single, entitled “Gemini” features production from C-U heavy-hitter James Treichler as well as Shannon Swords. …

Tonight on Smile Politely Radio we welcome Claudia Lennhoff of Champaign County Health Care Consumers, which works to provide quality, affordable healthcare for all citizens in Champaign County. Join us at 5:30 p.m. to hear …

From the Illini Networkers: Illini Volleyball team member Allison Palmer has organized a food drive to benefit the Eastern Illinois Foodbank. This event will be held during the home match vs Northwestern at Huff on …

Local folk/Americana outfit Rebecca Rego & The Trainmen have announced their Kickstarter campaign in which they hope to raise funds for their next record. Their previous album, Tolono, was released in 2014. Check out the …

Hey, U of I students: Are you passionate about the community of Urbana? Do you love seeing local businesses thrive? How would you like to part of a spirited organization that strives to promote the …

The pop-up shop is a modern phenomenon that usually seems to rule in cosmopolitan environments, but these next couple of weekends, Norden at home will be bringing their own version of the pop-up shop to Downtown …

From the press release: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                     November 5, 2015 …

The crew at Seven Saints has a new hand-selected reserve barrel to add to their ever-increasing collection. Starting Thursday, November 12th, a specialty Seven Saints barrel of the award-winning Koval Rye will be available for …

I would strongly encourage anyone even slightly interested in or curious about opera to attend this weekend’s run of Beatrice & Benedict. People unused to operatic drama will find the English dialogue and familiar plot …

Here they are, folks: Fried Cod lemon caper aioli, fries and house salad • Chipotle Bison Burger pepper jack cheese, cajun remoulade, fries and house salad • Pan Seared Salmon fried potatoes, dill cream sauce …

Silvercreek is hosting a Thanksgiving-themed brunch on Sunday, November 22nd (note: this is the Sunday before Thanksgiving).  Among our classic Sunday Brunch Buffet offerings we will be featuring several Thanksgiving favorites such as turkey, dressings, casseroles, …

This Friday, Joe’s Brewery is hosting a mechanical bull riding contest. That’s right — a mechanical bull. Just like a small-town bar in Texas in an episode of Friday Night Lights, you, too, will be able …

Sunday, November 8th starting at 9 am, the Champaign Park District will be hosting a 5K Run, Roll, and Recreational Walk at Dodds Park. To sign up, register at any CUSR or Champaign Park District …

In late October, local studio Shatterglass Films took their ongoing project, The Death of Innocence, to Chicago’s International Film Festival for the inaugural “Industry Days”. This invitational event brought film-industry professionals to the Midwest for the first …

In adults 15-24 years old suicide is the second most common cause of death.  Parkland College is offering a free information session on Wednesday, November 4th from 12-1 p.m. at Parkland room D244. You can …

Tonight, Sundiata Cha-Jua and the North End Breakfast Club will host a screening of a documentary entitled The Black Panther Party: Vanguard of the Revolution. The screening takes place at 7:30 p.m. at the Art …

Starting this weekend, Downtown Champaign’s own Big Grove Tavern will be transitioning to its fall/winter cocktail menu. This change comes in conjunction with seasonal changes in the kitchen. The menu is a product of collaboration …

From the press release:  We are pleased to announce the 11th Annual Innovation Celebration in recognition of those individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions, taken risks, and provided leadership to ensure the continuing economic success …

This Halloween, Bacaro, a restaurant usually specializing in local food in downtown Champaign, will be serving all Italian food, for one night only. Dinner will be served from 5-11 p.m. (or until they run out!) and karaoke …

Join us tonight on Smile Politely Radio as we talk with educator and social activist James Kilgore about his new book, Understanding Mass Incarceration: A People’s Guide to the Key Civil Rights Struggle of Our Time. Kilgore, …

Tonight, friends, family, faculty and colleagues gathered on the U of I Quad to share memories, laughs, and tears as they remembered Brett Lerner.  Lerner was a U of I student who tragically died in …

The Illinois MakerLab will be hosting their innaugural 3D printing conference on November 13th. As per the Illinois MakerLab website: Join us for our First Annual 3D Printing Conference on Friday, November 13, 2015. We …

Tomorrow, Krannert Art Museum is proud to present a special performance as part of the 20th annual Chicago Asian American Jazz Festival in partnership with the Sudden Sound Concert Series. CAAJF is presenting 4 shows …

Registration is now open for CUTC’s “Broadway Basics” workshop series. Students in 5th through 8th grade can register for theatre training sessions that will culminate in a performance of Into the Woods, Jr., a one-act version …

I mean, truly, the worst. Part of me apologizes to the folks that will read this here on Smile Politely, but honestly, this is one of the worst places on the internet, definitively:   The …

Sipyard, a new beer garden in Downtown Urbana, opens Thursday, October 29th.  Per the UBA press release: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 27, 2015 Contact: Jessica Snyder Marketing and Events Coordinator Urbana Business Association Phone: 217-344-3872 …

Want to see what academic labor looks like? Stop by U of I’s Main Quad today between 11 a.m.-2 p.m., where the Non-Tenure Faculty Coalition (NTFC) will be hosting a teach-in and rally to draw …

Throughout Champaign County, nearly 35,000 people have limited availability to nutritionally adequate and safe foods. University of Illinois Extension Serving Champaign, Ford, Iroquois, and Vermilion County has developed a partnership with the ADM Institute for …

I’ve detailed my feelings on Champaign-Urbana hip-hop before, but over the past year, a marked improvement by both emcees and those in the local music community to support hip-hop has been inspiring to say the least. …

The second annual CSA Fair is happening Monday, December 14th, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Urbana Civic Center.  Organized by Urbana’s Market at the Square, the Urbana Business Association, and The Land …

I was tipped off by a tweet from the University of Illinois Research Park this afternoon about this situation — which U of I College of Engineering Dean Andreas C. Cangellaris put together a response to …