SPlog

Bryce Hays plays guitar in local bands Withershins and The Marathon Guitarkestra, but is also responsible for a solo project, Dr Responsible. Dryads, his new tape, falls somewhere between ambient and trip hop, with chill …

That Maryland win was a lot of fun, wasn’t it? Unfortunately, without Rayvonte Rice, the team that showed up against Nebraska is closer to what the Illini are as a group. Malcolm Hill is a …

In a recent list put together by Popular Mechanics, Urbana (though Champaign-Urbana can be included here all in one) was ranked within “The 14 Best Startup Cities in America”. Check out the whole list here, and the …

William Fleming, the owner of Crossroads Corner Consignment, had a first at his business today. A woman walked in carrying a box. She set it down on the counter and said, “I can’t take care …

One Winter Night, which takes place on Feb. 6, 2015, is asking for  3 things from the community to ensure their event is a huge success: Box Dwellers, people willing to sleep outside in a …

The owner of Poggerino Winery in Tucany, Italy will be visiting bacaro to help host a wine dinner with his wines this Friday, January 16. Piero Lanza will team up with Paolo Cerruti, distributor of Valgiano …

For all you old Jolly Roger pizza junkies out there (like myself) this one is for you.  Turns out, Michael Timpone has opened up Jolly Roger 2.1 in Ft. Myers Beach, Fl. and was recently …

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — After a successful debut event in 2014, the Hatch Trashion Show will return Feb. 27 to Urbana’s Lincoln Square as part of the two-week-long Hatch Creative-Reuse Art Festival. Hatch organizers are seeking …

After a couple of years of great lineups, the local DIY festival Skeletal Lightning Festival will not be happening in 2015. This isn’t to say it won’t happen in the future, but per an announcement …

Art @ the Y presents Assemblage Humans and what they make, and what nature makes, coexist in the world, giving rise to the term “juxtapose” to describe these close and contrasting relationships. Because these relationships …

Hello everyone! I normally hold coffee hours to meet with the community to discuss school board issues before our school board meeting. If you would like to discuss the current issues with Unit#4 please come …

The Upper Bout will be celebrating turning one year old this weekend. Check out the Facebook event (and information below from that listing), as well as Chris Davies’ piece on the store last year. Congrats on …

From the press release: PRESS RELEASE:  For Immediate Release Senatorial Vacancy to Be Filled Monday morning. It is expected that Scott Bennett of Champaign County will be appointed Monday morning as State Senator for the …

Over and over again, since I’ve been listening anyhow, I’ve heard individual members of the Unit 4 school board suggest to this community that if “someone has a better idea out there, please bring it …

If you weren’t aware — Tommy Craggs is from C-U. That’s him, right there. He grew up here, his parents still live here, and all that good stuff. He’s one of our pals doing awesome …

Per a press release from Rantoul Theatre Group: Rantoul Theatre Group will conduct auditions for its upcoming production, The Tale of Snow White.  Director Katie Johnston is seeking adults and children to fill 20-30 roles. …

Acting classes at CLASS ACT at SoDo Theatre are beginning soon for ages 4 through adult. See the website for dates and times. Classes and ages listed below, per a press release: ACTING CLASSES Creative …

The Champaign County Alliance for the Promotion of Acceptance, Inclusion, and Respect is a collaborative campaign to challenge discrimination and promote inclusive communities. We love the arts! The Alliance initially hosted free screenings of “anti-stigma” …

The folks at Visit Champaign County have tasked themselves with eating at 30 local restuarants in 30 days, and will be sharing photos on Instagram (@visitchampaign). They have also asked the community to join them: …

I attended my first Unit 4 School Board meeting last night. After the meeting, I received a phone call from Board Member John Bambenek who explained that yesterday’s meeting was not your typical board meeting. …

I thought you might like to see how Dublin O’Neil’s makes their Irish coffee. Being that it is freezing out and your kids are probably driving you nuts, you should consider stopping into Dublins this …

On Monday John Groce addressed his team’s last two games by saying, “We’re just not real good right now.” Then, on Tuesday, he confirmed that Ray Rice was out for a long time (rumored to …

Maybe you listen to them, maybe you don’t — but the duo of Boers and Bernstein dominate the Chicago sports radio talk world.  Here’s their take on the what-have-you from over the weekend. I get …

So many choices for new mug prints at Einstein Bros. Time to get your mug refill on, and are those K-Cup packs I spy, front and center? I think so.

Many sources are now reporting that Rayvonte Rice, Illinois basketball’s best player this season, has suffered an injury to his hand or wrist in practice and will miss significant time. CBS Sports was the first …

The News-Gazette has reported this morning that Strawberry Fields Natural Food Store — after announcing it would be closing its doors just a few weeks ago — will be reopening. Here’s some information from their …

Check out the Facebook event for this upcoming, as well as some information about the event below. STAND-UP COMEDY SHOWCASE at THE IRON POST Friday, January 9 9PM 120 S Race St Urbana Enjoy a …

From the press release: Bryan Smith has joined the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District (MTD) as Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Smith is the manager of MTD’s Operations, Maintenance, Safety and Training, and Marketing/Customer Service/Communications Departments. Mr. …

Recent events remind us once again that “Black Lives Matter” and that our youth need more support. Our C-U community is holding an annual event that is part of turning this heartbreak into hope.  Local …

In a disappointing display of insensitivity and racism, the publicly funded school district in Tuscola, IL, home of the “Warriors” has decided to invite the ghost of “Chief Illiniwek” to perform at halftime during next …

Oof. That’s the best way to sum up Illinois’s loss to Michigan. After leading by as many as 14 points in the second half, Illinois pissed it all away with poor perimeter defense, allowing Aubrey …

Are you a U of I student? Looking for a valuable internship opportunity? How does an internship right here in C-U sound, working alongside some of the best people around?  Sound good? Well, look no …

When Uni High School Junior, Joaquín Gutiérrez Malik, started tinkering around with the FLL Robotics Club in fourth grade, he had no idea it would propel him to the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) …

From the press release:   Interested applicants should submit a statement of interest via email by Jan. 2nd and attend an informal meet and greet on Jan. 9th.   The Champaign County Democrats seek applicants …

Over the weekend, Autumn Berry Inspired was featured on Huffington Post‘s “Eat The Enemy” series, which HuffPo describes as: This story is part of “Eat The Enemy,” a HuffPost series on edible invasive species, non-native …

BodyWork Associates now offers the ability to purchase instant printable gift cards for massage therapy online at their website. You may choose a dollar amount or purchase a specific service, such as a half hour …

Champaign Surplus is your one stop shop for shopping this holiday season. Friday, December 19th from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. we will offer FREE gift wrapping for any purchases made in store. We’ll help you find …

“The toughest game to coach.” “A heavyweight fight.” “Throw the records out.” These are three platitudes John Groce used to describe the Missouri “Braggin’ Rights” game, which tips off at 1 p.m. on Saturday. The …

Tonight on Smile Politely Radio we’re getting ready to relax over the winter break by chatting with the folks at Live Action Games on University. We’ll discover the best things to plug into over break and …

Per a press release from Krannert Center/Illinois Theatre: Illinois Theatre is pleased to announce the extension of its acclaimed fall production Oh What a Lovely War. After a highly successful November run, Oh What a …

Hello, weirdos. If you can’t get enough of local personalities, skits, funny podcasts, sofas, and only slightly awkward on-camera interviews, then do we have a treat for you. From a missive sent to Smile Politely …

The first issue of Vym Magazine, an art/idea magazine about drag, features an interview with local drag artist Veronica Bleaus, a frequent performer at local venues. Bleaus the self-proclaimed “worst drag queen in the midwest” and …

Hi, market lovers — The staff here at the Holiday Market would first like to offer our sincerest thanks to all that supported us this season — our wonderful vendors, loyal shoppers, sponsors, performers — …

December 16 through 20, the Virginia Theatre will host its considerations for The Best Christmas Movies Ever. (Although, personally, I’m a White Christmas man, their choices are pretty good.) All shows begin at 7:00 p.m., …

From an Urbana High School press release: Urbana High School’s production of Little Women: The Musical has been selected to perform at the Illinois High School Theatre Festival, January 8-10, 2015. It is the second time …

You might be familiar with local artist Langston Allston and his insanely awesome artwork and murals around C-U (Mike N Molly’s, Exile on Main/Dandelion, Cafeteria & Company, and more). I stumbled upon this video, which …