SPlog

It appears someone has broken into Japan House just south of campus. It appears that nothing of that much value was taken, but still, it’s jarring to say the least. More info can be found …

While I was over at Quality for their pumpkin carving contest, I heard Shady Dawgs was giving away free hot dogs in front of the Brass Rail. Naturally I went to see (and taste) for …

It is with deep sadness that we report that Ray Spooner, a terminally ill Champaign-Urbana resident who was seeking to ride his bike across the country to raise awareness for ALS, has crashed along ride …

The Y Thai Eatery — one of the best places on campus to get a cheap, decent lunch — will be re-opening next Monday, October 26 after what seemed to be a permanent closure. The Y …

Tonight on Smile Politely Radio we’re joined by Matt Minicucci, an instructor at the U of I and author of Translation, a book of poems. Translation won the Wick Poetry First Book prize and was …

Tonight’s entertainment, Katie Flynn, at Krannert’s Uncorked was really entertaining. She sang songs from the past and dressed the part too. On top of that she had a great stage presence and bantered with the …

There’s a new-ish pizza joint that’s located on Green Street (505 E. Green) called Azzip Pizza — serving up personal pies in just a few minutes each. Fellow Editor Boswell Hutson and I stopped by …

A new Afro-Brazilian Dance Studio, part of Capoeira Angola Center of Mestre Joao Grande Dance School — based in New York, is opening up in Downtown Urbana and will host their ribbon cutting ceremony this …

From the press release: URBANA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION WELCOMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR URBANA, Il.—The Urbana Business Association is thrilled to welcome Paris Blalock as their new executive director to lead the organization and to serve at …

Part of the reason I love living in Champaign-Urbana is simply because of the unique nature of the community. Those who want to organize unique activities are continually supported, and in turn, we have a …

A couple of local outfits are planning to release albums of their own next Friday, October 30th at Cowboy Monkey: Penny Horses and Waterfowl. They’ll do so alongside Flamingo and Finer Feelings, and we have …

Champaign Park District is anticipating Halloween by bring Hitchcock to the big screen at Viriginia Theatre, five times over! The movies start from October 26th to October 30th and each day will show one of …

From the press release: Locally filmed CONSUMED coming to the Art Theater CO-OP  Three additional screenings added after premiere sells out in 3 hours CHAMPAIGN – (Oct. 14) –  Local film producer and co-owner of …

There’s a new establishment opening at some point in the near future in Downtown Champaign — located at 34 Main Street — though they are in the process of looking for a General Manager. It’s …

From the U of I News Bureau:  U of I appoints new Willard Airport executive director CONTACT: Mike Helenthal, Assistant Editor, Inside Illinois 217-333-5491; email mhelenth@illinois.edu CHAMPAIGN — The new executive director of the U. of I.’s Willard …

Did you not win your grade school spelling bee? Have you always dreamed of the massive fame and acclaim that would have accompanied your victory if only the moderator hadn’t screwed you over? Well, today …

Personally, I don’t collect tapes. I mean, I totally used to growing up, and I think it’s great that cassettes are actually on the way back. It’s no secret that we have a deep love …

Although Steve Weatherford has been out of an Illini uniform for some time now, it’s still good to feature these things when we can. As pointed out by Deadspin yesterday — he’s doing some solid trolling of Philadelphia …

Centennial teacher Stacey Gross has been named 2015 Illinois Art Educator of the Year. The award presented by the Illinois Art Education Association shines a spotlight on one outstanding IAEA member, for exemplary contributions, service …

Parkland College’s Entrepreneurial Network will be hosting another instance of their PEN this Thursday, and will feature Cracked food truck founder and local entrepreneur Sean Baird.  For those of you who don’t already know, Sean …

From the Facebook event: This week’s show will be dedicated to Breast Cancer Awareness. Recently our good friend Tiff Meyer (former owner of Memphis on Main in Champaign) was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and we …

(and the cheese, and the sour cream, but still…) OK, so the first chili I learned to make was vegetarian — it had five kinds of beans, olive oil, and eight tonnes of spices. It was …

Lady Fest threw a secret party last night at “The Hummingbird.” The website describes the Hummingbird as “a place where time stops so that you can savour each moment, and appreciate the things you love.” …

For all the fans of Uber in Champaign-Urbana, they recently announced that in addition to UberX, UberXL is now available. Essentially, more room for you and your pals. Check out the details from the email:

Tonight on Smile Politely Radio, Jason Finkelman joins us to discuss the Sudden Sound Concert Series, which presents leading artists in the fields of improvised music and the jazz avant-garde. Sudden Sound is a program …

What You Will Shakespeare Company has an illustrious history of taking an irreverant, yet updated, approach to the master of theatre and poetry.  In that spirit, they are announcing their production The Knight of the Burning …

The highly anticipated Fall Sidewalk Sale at Champaign Surplus is finally here. This weekend, the deck will be overflowing with men’s, women’s, and kids’ jackets, coats, apparel, hats and gloves, shoes, boots, socks and more! …

Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen, Mayor Laurel Lunt Prussing, and citizens of Champaign and Urbana have joined with over 7,500 communities around the nation to celebrate the importance of afterschool programs by declaring October 22nd, 2015, …

You heard, folks! Tickets for the 18th annual Ebertfest will go on sale Monday, Novemeber 2nd, at 10 a.m. This five-day film festival has drawn a crowd of film lovers to C-U since 1999 to …

WEFT is offering a two-session airshifter this Thursday (10/15) and next Wednesday (10/21), both starting at 6 p.m. Airshifter training is required for community members interested in hosting their own radio shows. Trainings take place …

The Champaign Center Parntership has annoucned a new series that will show you what Champaign businesses feel and look like on the inside, with a new behind the scenes series: It’s A Champaign Life: Business …

The University of Illinois’ student concert production club, Star Course, announced a couple of shows for the Fall semester. The first is Rae Sremmurd, a hip-hop duo from Mississippi who achieved massive acclaim with their …

There was a great turnout this morning in support of Clifford-Jacobs workers.  These workers were locked out of work on September 29 after rejecting a 4-year contract with no wage increase but a higher employee …

In March, Common Ground Co-op announced the location of its second store in Downtown Champaign. In April it launced an Owner Drive, with the hopes of adding 900 new members to help with costs of …

According to the News-Gazette, Papa Del’s Pizza will close the Green Street location right before Christmas and open the new South Neil Street location in January. This information was also confirmed by the Papa Del’s Facebook …

WILL is in the midst of their Fall Fund Drive, and they posted this video the other day, which I thought was particularly enjoyable. Probably because it was simply showcasing a large coffee mug “in …

Local businesses built around and centered upon art are the focus of a program tonight, being held as part of the CU Spinners and Weaver’s guild monthly meeting. This fun and informative session will showcase …

Sarah van Gelder, co-founder and editor of YES! Magazine, will be In-Residence at Unit One/Allen Hall October 18-22 Sarah van Gelder speaks and writes on innovative approaches to today’s biggest challenges. Van Gelder is co-founder …

Champaign’s favorite guitar store, The Upper Bout, just held a contest in conjunction with the 2015 Pygmalion Festival where they are giving a 2015 Gibson Les Paul Junior to whoever submitted the best air guitar …

The Colts faced the Stallions yesterday in the semifinals. The Colts ended up beating the Stallions and will advance to the championship game next Sunday at Memorial Stadium. Stay tuned for more coverage!

Hospice Hearts is a Central Illinois pet rescue that fosters and adopts animals whose owners are terminally ill or transitioning to nursing homes. Bidding ends October15th.

Hope you’re enjoying your Sunday, readers. This is happening at [co][lab]: Lé Meow CATfé. Seriously. Per the Facebook post:   meow meow meow Posted by Colab on Saturday, October 10, 2015

V. Picasso is moving quickly to establish itself as a fine-dining option in C-U. It will be hosting a dinner at Urbana’s Willow Creek Farm, the farm that exclusively serves the restaurant, on Wednesday, October 21st …

This is not a drill. No, you’re not dreaming, either. You read that headline correctly – adult dodgeball is, in fact, coming to Urbana. I know, I know, we all pine for those days of …

When Champaign-Urbana shares a state with Chicago — quite literally a world-class city — it often gets overlooked for various “best of Illinois” lists that tend to focus exclusively on our massive megalopolis to the …

Check out these music-themed candles by Tracks on Wax, which are currently available at Exile / Dandelion: Each candle represents a musician or song and is combined with a scent to capture a story. Currently …

The indomitable Matt Cho joins us on Smile Politely Radio this week for reflections on The Pygmalion Festival‘s new Tech component and updates on Sipyard. Tune in if you know what’s up. Smile Politely Radio …

bacaro is hosting a wine dinner on Wednesday, October 14th featuring vini from the northeastern part of Italy: Wednesday, October 14th, you are cordially invited to join us for an unforgettable Italian wine dinner, where …