After a year of being open in Downtown Champaign, La Bahía Grill will now be open for breakfast. Beginning December 5th, they will open at 7 a.m. everyday, and will have their breakfast menu available through …
Heavy Spoon is the ice cream and cereal shop that just opened in Downtown Champaign, in the space formerly occupied by Aroma. Monday through Wednesday the shop opens at 8 a.m., so I thought I …
Tuesday, November 29th is the opening day for Martinelli’s Market, a brand new bakery and deli moving in next door to Wood N’ Hog and Stango Cuisine in Downtown Champaign. Martinelli’s Market Bakery & Deli will …
Regardless of how you celebrate, the editors at Smile Politely hope your holiday is everything you need it to be. Top image by Daisy Alvarez.
Urbana Park District is hosting the 55th annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning at Crystal Lake Park, if you’re looking to get some exercise before all the eating and lounging. Parking is available in the …
It’s Thanksgiving Eve, and I want to know what’s on the menu. What C-U foods will be on your table this Thanksgiving? I’m cooking the main and sides myself, but I’ve added a few locally …
The News-Gazette has reported that Lorraine Cowart has been elected to the Champaign County Board in District 11. She defeated Karen James. Follow along for details about the rest of the races at our 2022 Midterm Election results …
The News-Gazette has reported that Wayne T. Williams Jr. has been elected to the Champaign County Board in District 11. He defeated Karen James. Follow along for details about the rest of the races at our 2022 Midterm …
The News-Gazette has reported that Elly Hanauer-Friedman has been elected to the Champaign County Board in District 4. She defeated District 4 incumbents Jim McGuire and Brad Passalaqua. Follow along for details about the rest of the …
The News-Gazette has reported that Jenny Lokshin has been elected to the Champaign County Board in District 4. Having previously represented District 6, she defeated District 4 incumbents Jim McGuire and Brad Passalaqua. Follow along for details …
The News-Gazette has reported that Leah Taylor has been elected to the Champaign County Board in District 5, defeating Lucas Atwood and Von Young. Follow along for details about the rest of the races at our …
The News-Gazette has reported that Bethany Vanichtheeranont has been elected to the Champaign County Board in District 5, defeating Lucas Atwood and Von Young. Follow along for details about the rest of the races at …
The News-Gazette has reported that Democrat Chad Beckett has won the race for Sixth Circuit Judge against Republican Sam Limentato. Follow along for details about the rest of the races at our 2022 Midterm Election …
Rock/punk/hardcore group Dino Bravo are set to play their first show in years, come December. The group has two EPs out on Bandcamp, but hopefully this reunion means that more music is on the way. …
Champaign’s chapter of American Outlaws, a “a non-profit group dedicated to organiz[ing] support for the men’s, women’s, and youth US soccer teams,” is hosting a watch party for the US Men’s National Team on Friday, …
Now through December 16th, Parkland College will have winter coats and accessories available to anyone who needs them at three different locations: first-floor D wing near the spiral staircase first-floor college center (X wing) near …
I love Thanksgiving. I love the eating and the time with my family. However, it’s busy, and can be stressful. Maybe for you it’s very busy and stressful. Hatha Yoga has an opportunity for a …
Champaign native and former Smile Politely contributor John Milas has a novel coming out in July 2023. The Militia House is published by Macmillan. Here’s the blurb from the site: Stephen King meets Tim O’Brien …
40 North has announced two calls for art with submissions due in January 2023. The information below comes directly from 40 North’s newsletter. Best in Show: Photographers, it’s time to gather your best snaps and …
The National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame induction celebration was this past weekend, and former Illini basketball coach Lon Kruger was a part of this year’s class. Lon Kruger was only at Illinois for four …
In light of the tragic mass shooting at the Q Club in Colorado Springs, Uniting Pride is offering their office as a community safe space today until 4:40 p.m. They will have hot drinks and …
Mike Harden, owner and executive chef at Caribbean Grill, has published a cookbook where he shares 14 of his original recipes, as well as anecdotes about each recipe. He’s released And Just Like That…Soulful Holiday …
If you want to go out to eat on Turkey Day, check out Neil St. Blues’ Thanksgiving Day holiday buffet. The menu has not been released, but I bet we can count on seeing Southern-style cuisine …
The City of Champaign is hosting a Community Gun Violence Reduction Blueprint Response Meeting on November 21st from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Champaign Public Library. Community members are invited to gather in Robeson …
Preeminent American poets David Baker, Linda Gregerson, and Carl Phillips will be on the University of Illinois campus December 2nd for a reading and panel discussion. Find yourself at the Spurlock Museum’s Knight Auditorium from …
Visit Champaign County set the dates for Restaurant Week 2023. From January 27th to February 4th, you’ll have the opportunity to try special menus and get some deals at a variety of area restaurants. This …
While there are no specific dates yet for work to begin, you can look at and read about planned improvements for Altgeld Hall and plans for a brand new Illini Hall. Demolition of Illini Hall, …
If you’ve tried to dine out on a Monday evening over the past couple of years, you’ve probably found limited options. It’s understandable. As restaurants have settled into new ways of operating, often with less …
The Centennial High School Playmakers will be bringing Clue to the Aldridge Auditorium at 7 p.m., November 16-19. Tickets range from $5 for children 12 and under, $7 for seniors, and $10 for adults. Who …
The Best of Africa’s Food Store will soon open a new restaurant called Mama’s African Kitchen. The new restaurant will serve African dishes made by Chef Lisa Loboko in a family-friendly atmosphere. The menu and …
While ballots are still being counted today, the margin is large enough to declare Steve Summers the winner in the race for Champaign County Executive, per results posted on WCIA. Summers ran as the Democratic …
The City of Champaign is offering free two-hour parking at the Hill Street Parking Deck from December 1st through 31st. (Parking is already free on weekends.) More details are in the press release below. FOR …
If you are headed to nuEra in Urbana or Champaign this week, bring along some shelf stable food or a monetary donation for an area food bank. They are accepting canned meat, canned vegetables and …
Maize is once again sharing their delicious tamales with us for Thanksgiving. Right now you can go to their website, choose Pick Up Order at Maize at the Station, and place your order. They have …
It’s going to be very, very cold this week. Here are warming centers in C-U: C-U at Home Men’s Emergency Shelter, 70 E Washington St, Champaign Austin’s Place — Overnight Shelter for Women, 70 E Washington St, …
Urbana coffee shop Cafeteria & Company now serves Stango Cuisine’s hand pies and fresh ginger juice. The savory pies are available with Zambian-spiced beef, chicken, or vegetables inside a buttery, flaky pastry. I love the …
Urbana’s Hotel Royer, the remodeled Lincoln Hotel, is now a Hilton property. Renovations are underway. The new signage is up, and it looks pretty nice. You can see how the reimagined design pays homage to …
Triptych’s annual holiday celebration returns after a two year hiatus at noon on Friday, December 23rd. No details yet on food and drink options. (There will be beer, of course; probably some special taps and/or …
This Saturday, the brand new ice cream and cereal bar Heavy Spoon Co. will open in Downtown Champaign. The restaurant serves customizable bowls of ice cream and cereal with a variety of toppings. As reported …
Aaron Ammons has been reelected as Champaign County Clerk and Recorder of Deeds, defeating Terrence Stuber, per results posted on WCIA.com. Check our 2022 Midterm Election results article for future updates. Top image from the Champaign …
Republican incumbant Mike Marron has defeated Democratic challenger Cynthia Cunningham to retain his seat in the Illinois House of Representatives District 104. WCIA has called the race, and Marron has declared victory. This is Cunningham’s …
The Champaign County Forest Preserve District is offering a great opportunity for young makers to learn how to recycle, repurpose, and repair their own textiles. Open to kids ages 5 to 16, this one-hour workshop …
Bruce Adams, the co-founder of Kranky Records has released his new book You’re with Stupid: Kranky, Chicago, and the Reinvention of Indie Music. The book dives into Kranky Records’ journey, as well as the indie scene of …
Mottainai, the annual Japan House bazaar, returns to Japan House on December 9th and 10th and 11th. Last year they held it on a bit of a smaller scale, as a part of Allerton’s Holiday …
Pianist and School of Music professor Rochelle Sennet is joining Sinfonia Da Camera for a special performance this Saturday, November 12th, at 7:30 p.m. in Foellinger Great Hall. They will be performing “Concerto for Piano and …
The University of Illinois Asian American Cultural Center is hosting “Stop Asian Hate: A Panel Discussion on the Impact of Anti-Asian Hate on Mental Health, Families, and Our Communities” at 5 p.m. on Monday, November …
The Station Theatre is seeking female-identifying actors of any race and ethnicity for roles in Dream Hou$e by Eliana Pipes and 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche by Andrew Hobgood and Evan Linder. Auditions will be …
The News-Gazette is reporting that Dustin Heuerman has been re-elected Champaign County Sheriff, defeating Republican challenger John Brown. Though there are still mail-in ballots to be counted, there are not enough to make up the …
Josh Lucas of Flying Machine Avionics has confirmed that the City of Champaign is expanding the sidewalks on the north side of the building, which clears the way for the coffee shop to have a …
