SPlog

So good to know that the powers that be at Thomasboro Grade School are kind of maybe thinking about asking people to vote on removing a racist mascot. Top screenshot from The News-Gazette website.

Columbia Street Roastery aged their Brazil coffee in a Jack Daniel’s whiskey barrel for a month, and now those beans are all packaged up and ready for you to take home. Here is the flavor …

The Hooey Holiday Show is coming soon to meet your holiday shopping needs with art, ceramics, jewelry, and other handmade goods created by some of C-U’s finest, including Lisa Kesler Studio, Hooey Batiks, Lydia Puddicombe, …

Brian Ogolsky, University of Illinois professor of Human Development and Family Studies, has completed research — and published a research paper — that has found that “when partners are close to each other, their heart …

Japan House is bringing back their annual bazaar, Mottainai, but this year it will at the Allerton Mansion, as a part of the Holiday Showcase happening December 3-5.  From Japan House: As a vendor, we …

A committee of 29 community stakeholders, led by co-chairs Angela M. Rivers and Barbara Suggs-Mason, is planning for a trail that celebrates African American history in Champaign County. There will be stops in Homer, Broadlands, …

Artists Sarah Marjanovic and Heather Sandy are in a two-person collaborative exhibition, Living Hosts: Culturing Collaboration, at the University of Illinois Illini Union Art Gallery. The exhibition opens December 2nd with a reception from 4:30 …

Yesterday, the House voted to censure Representative Paul Gosar (AZ-04) after he posted a photoshopped anime video of him killing Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) and attaching President Biden. The only two Republicans that voted for …

If you are wanting a warm, filling lunch, Kohinoor’s thali lunch special of Northern Indian dishes, rice, and naan hit the spot. In the Hindi language, ‘thali’ means ‘the plate,’ and the lunch is served …

If you can’t get enough of Buddy the Elf, the Historic Fischer Theatre’s got you covered with DLO’s upcoming live production of the musical. So don’t be a cotton-headed ninny muggins. Get your tickets today. See …

Everyday Kitchen will be serving brunch November 26-28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., for those wanting to get out of the house a bit and take a break from leftovers.  Their brunch menu features …

Volition’s reboot of their popular Saints Row game was set to be released in February 2022, and now that has been delayed. The new release date is August 23, 2022. From Jim Boone, Chief Creative Officer: …

With the rise in gun violence in Champaign-Urbana, both cities have been considering the use of Automatic License Plate Readers as a measure to identify possible perpatrators. The Champaign City Council discussed spending nearly $200,000 for …

Three years ago, HUM reissued their 1998 release Downward is Heavenward through Matt Talbott’s Earth Analog distribution. Now, a few years later, there are more copies to be bought from Polyvinyl Records, the label that …

The City of Champaign will offer two hours of free parking in the Hill Street Parking Deck December 1st through 31st as a means to encourage and reward spending your dollars in Downtown Champaign. Details …

This Friday, have your happy hour at the Esquire Lounge, where artist Phil Strang will be selling copies of his new book, Wild Phil, along with cards and prints and copies of his 2022 calendar. Music …

Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve will have Night Lights in the Garden beginning the first weekend of December. Every Friday and Saturday in December, and the first two Saturdays in January, you can see …

Have you tried the new sushi restaurant on Green Street? Opened last month by the same owner as Paris Super Crȇpes, Sushi Man serves Japanese appetizers, sushi rolls, sashimi, poke bowls, tiramisu, and cheesecake. The …

In an effort to address root issues in the community, and build up support in neighborhoods, CU Trauma and Resilience Initiative has created several part-time paid positions. They are looking to hire Neighborhood Wellness Connectors, …

After 25 years, the RENT National Tour is coming to an end, and you can see it at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are on sale now for the Sunday, November 21st show. If …

Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and several area libraries have partnered for an academic-year-long program organized around Octavia Butler’s novel Parable of the Sower. From the website: Parable Path CU community events and activities …

The legendary “rock and roll band with horns” Chicago is scheduled to make a stop at State Farm Center on April 12th, 2022.  Considered to be one of the best American rock bands ever with …

Opened in November 1997, Jupiter’s in Downtown Champaign is celebrating its 24th birthday. The restaurant has long been celebrated for its solid pizza and beer. We love the steak-n-chz grinders, too. Photo by Jessica Hammie. The next …

40 North’s Community Supported Art program borrows the Community Supported Agriculture model of selling shares, replacing local seasonal produce with locally created art pieces.  For $300, you can purchase a share of local art, equal …

Today is America Recycles Day, and the Urbana Park District and City of Urbana are teaming up to receive and repurpose or recycle items you might have around the house that you can’t just toss …

Facebook is generally the worst, but it definitely has its perks sometimes, like when I discovered this stellar EP from the Champaign/Urbana Area DIY group.  From Death Springs Life Eternal is a post-rock EP from Belle, …

Jarling’s Custard Cup has a selection of pies and cakes that are available for purchase year round, but they bring out their version of a pumpkin pie this time of year.  I’m going to be …

The Idea Store’s Jewelry Jackpot Sale is happening now, and you still have a few more days to find some jewelry or jewelry making treasures. The event is ticketed, and eight people will be able …

The Grainger IDEA Lab, located in the Grainger Engineering Library, is hosting a series of events next week showcasing entrepreneurial ventures, which the lab calls Dolphin Tank Days.  On November 16th, from 5:30 to 7 …

Maize at the Station is selling tamales again, and brunch returns November 28th. Preorder your tamales (rajas, which are poblano with cheese; pork in a red sauce; chicken in a green sauce) for pick up …

Fifth year pre-med student Elizabeth Spurlock conducts research with Aaron Anderson, the assistant director of the Biomedical Imaging Center, on the brain health of those who have served in the military. Veterans are disproportionately affected by traumatic …

Kokomono — the new project created by U of I student Jake Julian — has released their debut single “All the Way.”  The track is an ode to gospel, jazz, and hip-hop, all of which Julian has …

Beginning November 16th, all audience members attending a performance at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts will be required to show proof of vaccination or a negative test. According to KCPA, this is “in response …

Starting on Tuesday, November 16th, downtown Urbana’s Gilbert Gallery will be offering two-hour life drawing sessions for $15 per session.  For more information, email gilbertgallery102@gmail.com Top image from the Gilbert Gallery’s website.

On Friday, November 12th, the Champaign-Urbana Theatre Company will take to the stage of the Virginia Theatre to join a global celebration of local theatre. All Together Now!, which will be performed at 2,500 theatres …

Uncanny Magazine, the award-winning Science Fiction and Fantasy publication, is accepting poetry submissions through November 15th. Payment is $40 per poem; you can apply here. Uncanny Magazine is published by University of Illinois librarian Lynne …

A new documentary on Jay Bennett is premiering this Monday, November 15th. The musician was known for his seminal work in the band Wilco. He also lived and worked in Urbana for a period. He …

Champaign Center Partnership now has a shopping hub where you can find gift cards for several Downtown, Midtown, and Campustown businesses all in one spot. You’ll find options for Farren’s, Golden Weather Goods, Plantify, Illini …

Tasty Tart, the little tart shop on Neil Street, has added espresso to their menu. The coffee can be enjoyed at one of the tart shop’s indoor tables (with wifi!) or ordered to-go.  A cup …

School board meetings and elections in other parts of the nation seem to be very focused on what it means for students to learn about the history of race in our country and it’s implications …

Last weekend’s gorgeous weather offered the perfect opportunity to check out the fall foliage in our area. I snapped a few photos of trees I found striking; I’m partial to a nice ombré. This weekend’s …

The Parkland Men’s Soccer team, who finished their regular season at 14-3-1, has been selected as an at-large selection for the NJCAA DII Men’s Soccer Championship as a No. 5 seed. They will play in a …

Next time you’re waiting for the bus (or at a red light next to a bus), check out the artwork of MTD Art featured artists Sara Jahn, Lisa Kesler, Ruth Lantz, and Lydia Puddicombe.  Congrats …

Sreevani Jarugula, a graduate student in the Department of Astronomy at the University of Illinois, is the principal researcher on a project that has found water in a galaxy 13 million light years away. The …

Last winter my social media feeds were filled with photos of the holiday lights at Allerton Park. It was the fifth year of the annual event, previously known as the Winter Wellness Walk, but in …

The Stuft Bird makes wings stuffed with signature sides like mac-n-cheese, but for the month of November, they’re stuffing wings with turkey and dressing. The food truck serves seasoned and stuffed chicken wings alongside fries …

Seven Saints put Thanksgiving dinner in a sandwich, and you can get it for a short time for lunch or dinner. The open-faced Turkey Manhattan has roast turkey, mashed potatoes, and gravy. Throw some sweet potato …

The Illinois Institute for Sustainibility, Energy, and Environment is hosting a virtual TED Talk on November 15th at 6 p.m. The talk will feature Nichole Millage, Environmental Sustainability Specialist with the City of Champaign and Susan …