SPlog

Halloween is just around the corner, kids, and what better way to celebrate this special time of year than with a little afternoon literary event? On Saturday, October 18th, from 4-7, local author Jake Aurelian …

From the Champaign Center Partnership press release:  THE 14th ANNUAL PARADE OF LIGHTS RETURNS TO DOWNTOWN CHAMPAIGN NOVEMBER 29th! The holiday season can’t begin until Santa makes his way through the streets of Downtown Champaign. The …

Uni alum Jonathan Faiman, pianist, will team up with Lawrence Stomberg on cello for a fundraising concert Sunday, October 19th at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. The duo will perform four Beethoven works, …

Big Grove Tavern is donating a portion of weekly lunch sales to different charities each month, and the month of October benefits The Land Connection. Sounds like a good excuse to try out the new …

Per a press release from Krannert Center: Captain Ian Gindes is an all-American pianist whose sensitive interpretations have earned him a reputation for inspiring performances of challenging masterworks. His father, who was a pianist and …

There are some pretty great things happening at the Tim Beckman Wikipedia page, which, at the time of posting this SPlog, still remain. Below are some screenshots for you to see. Here’s what the text …

A new issue of the Public i is out on stands now. You can read it online here. There are articles about the Salaita affair by David Prochaska, the Mahomet Aquifer by Claudia Lenhoff, anti-prison activism in California …

Champaign, IL – 40 North | 88 West proudly announces the 10th Annual ACE (Arts, Culture, and Education) Awards. All seven ACE Award winners embody the spirit of the local arts community with their passion, …

Check out the events that will be offered at this year’s Disability Resource Expo, taking place Saturday, October 18 at the Fluid Events Center:

Where am I?

The public is invited to a special public ceremony as a Bur Oak at 301 Griggs Street is honored as Urbana’s first living Legacy Tree. This tree is estimated to be about 150 years old, and is a …

BodyWork Associates, a group practice of massage therapists serving Champaign-Urbana since 1982, is now offering online scheduling for both their Campus office (inside the ARC) and also at their Windsor Road location. Clients can access …

I went to lunch today at Green Jade (on Windsor Rd. near Sun Singer) and saw this posting. It is a menu for people practicing the “ideal protein diet” and it was created in conjunction with Dr. Crawford of …

There’s a reason why this cost me and three guests $12.00 each. It’s a steal, by comparison to the average sandwich. And so simple. Baguette, thinly sliced ham, and Kerrygold butter.  Available on every corner …

Silvercreek will host a dinner with wine parings on Thursday, October 16, from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $55 per person (not including tax and gratuity), and can be purchased by calling 217-328-3402.  …

Join us tonight on Smile Politely Radio as we get the scoop on the second annual Oktoberfest, which will take place October 11th from 3 p.m. – midnight in downtown Champaign. Oktoberfest features children’s activities, live …

In addition to the other stage productions opening tonight around Champaign-Urbana, the Virginia Theater will host a Champaign Park District Youth Theatre production of Disney’s Cinderella. Details below, as culled from the Virginia’s website: Dates: Thursday …

Getting information about the U of I’s healthcare plans is notoriously difficult. Next Tuesday, university graduate employees can attend a session to learn about their health insurance, as well as local resources which are available to …

Weiskamp is hosting a FREE poster printing workshop Saturday, October 11th at 10 a.m. For first-timers there will be a 2-3 hour demonstration starting at 10 a.m. All materials are supplied. If you are a …

Krannert Art Museum will launch its second Global Africa Community Forum on Thurs., October 9th at 5:30 p.m. by asking “What Does Black Masculinity Look Like?”  The event, that investigates Blackness, Gender & Contemporary African …

From the Krannert Center building engineer regarding Krannert Center repairs: Otto Baum Company Inc. of Morton, Illinois was awarded the bid for phase 1 of the repairs to Krannert Center, which will correct a portion …

Per Plant Mode’s website: Plant Mode had a very fun and successful time at The Made Fest last weekend, I mean really, it was a blast. So much energy and time went into the prep, …

Thursday-Friday, October 2-3, 2014, at 7:30pm Director Mark Dornford-May and Music Director Pauline Malefane formed what is now ISANGO Ensemble in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2000, drawing its performers from the previously disadvantaged townships …

Per a Champaign Park District press release: Nominating petitions for two seats on the Champaign Park Board may now be picked up at the Bresnan Meeting Center, located at 706 Kenwood Road, Champaign. The seats …

Campus leaders are hoping social media will accomplish what phone calls and emails could not. On Wednesday, Student Body President of UIUC Mitch Dickey and Student Trustee Lucas Frye launced a social media blitz inviting …

Join us tonight on Smile Politely Radio as we chat with the one and only Katie Baldwin Prosise, who is currently directing the Station Theatre‘s latest production, A Kid Like Jake, which runs October 2 …

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch is reporting that Jimmy John’s believes patrons of their establishment may have had their credit cards compromised. JJ’s HQ calls Champaign home, and there are plenty of shops around C-U, so consider yourself …

The City of Urbana Public Arts Program and the Public Art League is proud to announce the installation of Asteray, a sculpture by Nicole Beck. The City of Urbana and the Public Art League worked …

Big Grove will be hosting a Silver Oak Cellars wine dinner tonight, and there are still spaces left. Check out the information below via their Facebook page: Have you made your reservation for the Silver …

The Made Fest is back for its second year and Dear Home will be setting up shop! This year, the fest is TWO days. Yep, a two-day, outdoor curated marketplace featuring handmade artists, makers, and …

From a Rantoul Theatre Group press release: Babes in Toyland Extended Audition Date: Sunday, September 28, 2014 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Where: Grissom Hall, Rantoul Theatre Group 914 Arends Blvd. Rantoul, IL 61866 Office answering …

The Sound of Science is a collaboration between composers and plant scientists from the University of Illinois. Musicians and scientists paired up to produce original compositions based on the sonification of primary research data. The …

From an Urbana Free Library press release: “The Secret History of Comics” Urbana Free Library Celebrates Banned Books Week Saturday, September 27 from 2 – 3pm at the Urbana Free Library In 1954, comic books …

I spotted this meter downtown just outside of Big Grove. The idea behind it is that you can put your change into it and the money will go to helping local homeless people. RealChangeCU.org is …

Tonight on Smile Politely Radio we talk all things Pygmalion with the inimitable Seth Fein and Caleb Curtiss. Music, literature, handmade and vintage items… This year’s Pygmalion has it all, and we’ll be getting the …

Billy Barooz, located in southwest Champaign at The Crossing, is serving up some BBQ tonight and every Thursday. Chef Patrick Spahr is plating up some tasty brisket for sandwiches and nachos, and ribs, all smoked …

Champaign Surplus is hosting a Whiskey & Whiskers event this evening, which features free music, food, and booze for the 21+ crowd.

Botanical Painting on the Farm Please join us for a day of painting, wandering, and eating on the farm. Artist Cara Cummings is excited to partner with Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery to offer a day …

Let the apartment hunt begin! Fall 2015-16 open leasing for JSM’s large apartment category has started. If you’re new to the apartment searching scene, this time may feel overwhelming but JSM is here to help. …

The second annual C-U Oktoberfest will take place 3 p.m. to midnight, Saturday, October 11th in Downtown Champaign. Event entry is $5, and the event will benefit the Developmental Services Center. White Horse Inn and …

As is usually the case (and as was previously reported on SP), the venerable Station Theatre in Urbana announced its 2014-2015 season with a bit of a gap in its schedule. The March/April show, to …

Interesting. It appears as though Uber, the cab/driver service (mostly located in metro areas), could potentially be coming to Champaign. Per an email we just received, it looks like it could be a possibility. Personally, …

The Allerton Park and Retreat Center is hosting a farm to mansion dinner, and the deadline to get tickets is tomorrow, Wednesday, September 17.  The dinner is Sunday, September 28 at 5:00 p.m. and will …

Per the IlliniHoops Twitter account, there have been more details revealed about the upcoming 2014-15 Illinois Basketball season. Sure, we’re only a few games into the Illini Football season, but let’s be real here. I …

Walgreens on Springfield Avenue is the only place in town that I have found to develop rolls of film. This may be changing come wintertime, though. They are slated to implement a new “dry print” …

                       September 19th, 12 p.m. at the University YMCA                                 …

The Color Run is happening in Champaign on Saturday, September 27th, and we’re hosting the official information for the event right here in Smile Politely. Check out all the information about the event below, how …

CONSTITUTIONAL SCHOLAR TO SPEAK ON ACADEMIC FREEDOM, SALAITA:  Columbia Law Professor Katherine Franke joins off-campus panel discussion What’s next, now that the University of Illinois Board of Trustees has voted down Steven Salaita’s job? This …