SPlog

The scoop: Four home cooks. Two local chefs. Farmers. Wine experts. WILL’s Lisa Bralts is your host, and they’ll be cooking in prime time. But they need some help from you first. What’s that one …

The Urbana Park District and Champaign County Camera Club are proud to announce the 12th annual competition at Lincoln Square. This is a great opportunity for amateur (gross revenue less than $1,000 per year from photographic activities) …

From the press release: The wait is nearly over for fans eager to read Vortex, the second book in the Tempest young adult trilogy by Champaign author Julie Cross. The book will be released on …

Local filmmakers Shatterglass put together this short, 10 minute film about EbertFest and it’s simply filled with interviews and praise for the local annual happening. One of the better parts of your day, no doubt: …

On Thursday, January 24, Art @ the Y at the University YMCA will host the opening reception of “Artists on the Environment,” Paintings by Molly Briggs, Glen Davies, and Viktoria Ford. A viewing of the …

Five Illini players and coach John Groce preview Wednesday’s 8 p.m. tip-off against the #8 Minnesota Golden Gophers. About 700 tickets remained for the game as of 4 p.m., Tuesday. A special online deal has …

“There’s a basketball game” and “are you excited” and “is it important to bounce back” and “don’t you think stuff is neat?” For people who enjoy boxed macaroni, “Chicago Blues” festivals, and driving on interstate …

John Groce, Joe Bertrand, Brandon Paul. and DJ Richardson attended a media luncheon in the press box Thursday. Here’s what they had to say about Saturday’s Braggin’ Rights game in Saint Louis. Toward the end …

If you haven’t picked up local author William Gillespie’s novel Keyhole Factory, you should. But if you need more convincing, the popular online literary forum Numero Cinque has published an excerpt from the novel as a …

A very chilling Illini-Alert to receive on this of all evenings. Be safe everyone. Illini-Alert: Armed robbery at Springfield and Mathews, Urbana. Suspect fled Southbound armed with handgun. Avoid area. More information to come. Illini-Alert …

Ray Rice talked about Jeff Johnson and their championship team this afternoon at the Ubben & Corzine. Sam McLaurin added his own scouting report of the Colonels. In his regular weekly teleconference, John Groce also …

Today on Smile Politely Radio, we’ll be joined by local music magnate Isaac Arms and SP Music Editor (and birthday boy) Patrick Singer. We will be talking about the year in local music, and we …

It certainly looks like Gov. Quinn will get what he’s asking for. From ChicagoPride.com: State Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago) and State Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago) said Thursday they believe the Illinois legislature is ready to …

Today, On Monday, Quinn told reporters that he’s encouraging lawmakers to send a marriage equality bill to his desk during the lame duck session in January: “I hope that bill goes forward… The time for …

Centennial’s Class of 2014 power forward Michael Finke gave a verbal commitment to the Illini this afternoon. I talked with him for a couple of minutes, shortly before his phone exploded. Here’s what he had …

No word yet why the show’s been canceled. Here’s the announcement from Emerald City Lounge’s Facebook page: Sadly we must announce that we have been forced to cancel the concert this evening. I am personally …

…and postview Gonzaga          

Local DIY record label/zine/distro Crippled Sound gets a nod from Stereogum as Chicago’s Champaign-Urbana’s Witch In Her Tomb was rated one of the Top 40 Metal Albums of 2012 by the music blog. Check out …

Join the PAL this Thursday at Boltini to celebrate yet another successful year of bringing sculpture to the greater C-U area in 2012. Details here:

We, at Smile Politely, wholly endorse and love everything that Illinois Public Media offers our community. And now that we share our very own John Steinbacher, we love it even more. Pledge now! And check …

Sad news out of Dallas. “Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Josh Brent was arrested and charged with manslaughter on Saturday after practice squad teammate Jerry Brown Jr. was killed in the crash of a car driven …

Monday, December 10, 7:00 p.m., Millikin Richards Treat University Center The East, Parquet & Fireplace Rooms of RTUC at Millikin University EQALL of Millikin, PRIDE of Richland Community College, GLAD of Decatur, and The Civil …

On Tuesday, Dec. 11, the Urbana Civic Center will host a book signing to honor Dr. Ruth Nicole Brown and Dr. Chamara Jewel Kwakye, authors of Wish to Live: The Hip Hop Feminism Pedagogy Reader. …

From a press release issued by the GEO: Champaign, IL – The members of the Graduate Employees Organization (GEO) from the campus of the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign overwhelmingly voted by more than 95 percent …

Today on SP Radio, we’ll be joined by Traci Barkley, Water Resources Scientist and Robert Hirschfeld, Water Policy Specialist from Prairie Rivers Network. The organization works to protect Illinois’ rivers for people, fish, and wildlife. …

According to an annoucement from the Blind Pig Brewery, they plan to release different bourbon barrel kegs throughout the month of December, starting today, Thursday, December 6. The first two, on tap today, are Schlafly Reserve Bourbon …

VOICE | Thursday, December 6 | 7:30 p.m. | Krannert Art Museum | FREE! Michael Don and Laura Adamczyk are badasses. Their fiction has been featured in a variety of distinguished lit mags such as Passages …

Stumbling Through Tuesdays, a comedy/improv/ gameshow/sketch entertainment behemoth, sprung from the brain of Jason Dockins, will have a preview show tonight at Memphis on Main at 7:00 p.m. Featured among the insanity will be the awesome “B– …

Black Dog Smoke & Ale House will begin a late-night food and special cocktail menu starting this Thursday! Hours will run on Thursdays from 10 p.m.–2 a.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 p.m.–2 a.m. …

It was a rough meeting from the beginning. The Champaign County Chamber of Commerce knew they needed to shake things up, knew they had to find a way to connect with a younger demographic without …

So it’s that time of the year again, where we’re putting together our year-end lists for our picks for best local albums, local songs, and live shows of 2012. Just like last year, we want to …

Audio here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zantOKpmx0

Parkland College Theatre has announced the cast for its upcoming production of the classic comedy You Can’t Take It With You: Penelope Sycamore – Jamey Coutant Essie – Jesse Debolt Rheba – Hannah Kline Paul …

The World Health Organization reports that approximately 2.9 million people were newly infected with HIV/AIDS in 2010. Worldwide, that’s 7,945 people infected PER DAY, over five people every MINUTE. In the U.S. someone becomes infected …

Corkscrew will host its annual holiday whisk(e)y tasting this Sunday, December 2, and this year the lineup includes bourbon and Scotch. The tasting is $10, but if you pay in cash and purchase or order …

In case you don’t follow Big Grove Tavern on Facebook, here’s the news: Each weekday, you can get up on a bunch of awesome (and I mean AWESOME!) bar snacks at Big Grove Tavern between …

Today on Smile Politely Radio, we will be joined by Matt Fear (a.k.a., Billy Boudoir), the Co-Director/Founder of Carnivàle Debauche, plus a couple other performers from the group. We will talk about how the troupe …

Stories & Beer | Mike & Molly’s | Tomorrow | 5–7 p.m. | Free As you may or may not have heard, there’s a little shindig going down over at Mike & Molly’s tomorrow, wherein …

About five years ago, Mason Kessinger and I decided to launch Smile Politely, with the help of Chris Maier, and a host of many local writers and thinkers. Today, it’s evident that Mason simply enjoys …

Former C-U resident/musician Danny Wahlfeldt, whose brother Chris Wahlfeldt plays in local punk outfit Midstress, was featured on Pitchfork earlier today. They had some pretty kind words to say about his new track, “Over and …

Black Dog Smoke & Ale House will host a tasting of FEW Spirits gin and whiskey paired with small plates on Thursday, November 29 at 10:30 p.m. Josh Boyd, formerly the chef of Carmon’s Bistro, designed …

Bentley’s Pub announced on their Facebook page yesterday that they will be changing ownership as of December 1, saying: To our wonderful customers, friends and family. We are sad to inform you that as of …

Three years! Isn’t that about the time that toddlers start going in their “big boy/girl” pants and start saying NO. Like, all the time? And — can married men without children and a penchant for …

The Celebration Company at the Station Theatre announces open auditions for Sons of the Prophet, a play by Stephen Karam, to be directed by Gary Ambler. Auditions will be held Sunday, December 2, from 2:00–5:00 …

From the press release: The Graduate Employees Organization (GEO) from the campus of the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, will hold a “Unity at the Union” work-in at the Illini Union, 1401 West Green Street, on …

Meet the man who was almost fired by Mitt Romney. The Illini Union Board will host Caroll Spinney on Wednesday, November 28 at 7:00 p.m., in the Illini Union. Caroll Spinney played the beloved Big …

Parkland College Theatre announces open auditions for You Can’t Take It with You, by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman. The play will be directed by Joi Hoffsommer. Auditions are Saturday, December 1, from 1:00–5:00 …