SPlog

Whether you’re trying to impress the in-laws with your vast knowledge of wine pairing or you just want to make sure they stay a little tipsy during their visit so they’re too impaired to criticize …

Today on Smile Politely Radio, we are joined by Luke Boyce, co-owner and creative director for Shatterglass Studios and co-founder of the CU Film Society. We will talk to Luke about the Shatterglass Studio’s origins, …

It appears as if the Champaign Public Library has been recieving some high praise from Library Journal‘s list of “America’s Best Libraries.” You can read more about it from the press release: Champaign Library Earns Star …

David Bazan will be transmitting a live, personal performance via the internet exclusively to Exile on Main Street this evening for Pedro the Lion Day, an event featuring local artists performing songs from the band’s …

Southern Illinois Against Fracturing Our Environment (SAFE) is showing the documentary Split Estate on Tuesday, Nov. 20, at 7:00 p.m. The film will be shown at Parkland Community College, Room C118. According to SAFE’s website: …

The ground breaking ceremony for the Boneyard Creek Improvements Project is scheduled for Wednesday, November 14, at 3:00 p.m.  The ceremony will take place at the northwest corner of Griggs and Race Streets. According to …

This Wednesday night (and every Wednesday night), Memphis on Main hosts its Open Mic Comedy Night. No cover. Go see and hear some comedy, or try your luck yourself. To sign up for a set, …

On the this week’s episode of SP Radio, we are very pleased to welcome William Gillespie on the show to discuss his book Keyhole Factory, which will officially be published next Tuesday, November 13 by …

Illini basketball starts tonight, Tip-off is 7:00 p.m. The opponent is Colgate University Remember to be silent until Illinois scores its tenth point. Then, yell a lot. Here’s what DJ Richardson, Sam McLaurin and Tracy …

It appears as if Radio Maria will be hosting a benefit in the form of a beer tasting night next Wednesday at 7 p.m. to support the kids and their education. Here’s the information from …

From the press release: GEO WILL STAGE “WE WANT TO WORK” RALLY, THURSDAY AT NOON Champaign, IL – On November 8, from Noon until 1, the Graduate Employees Organization (GEO) will stage a rally outside of …

Beginning Thursday, November 8, Illini Student Musicals will present The Drowsy Chaperone, a “Musical Within a Comedy,” with book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar and music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison. …

If you attend Friday night’s season opener against Colgate, remember to make no noise until Illinois scores its tenth point. Then, make a lot of noise. “Orange Hush Night” alludes to/honors John Groce’s alma mater …

I’m sure there are some that I’m missing, but I’m very sleepy, so feel free to add them in the comments. And the winners are: Our president, dear readers: Barack Hussein Obama 52nd Illinois Senate: …

Ultra marathoners can rejoice knowing that the Clinton Ultra registration is now open. To register for the 10 mile or 30 mile race, visit here. For more information on the Clinton Ultra, visit the Second …

Sunday, November 11, 2:00–3:00 p.m. Lewis Auditorium Author Lania Knight will be Urbana Free Library’s guest to talk about her recently released debut novella, Three Cubic Feet. The story centers on a gay teenager growing …

From press release: CHAMPAIGN – Listen live to WEFT 90.1FM beginning at 8:00 p.m. Tuesday night for special election night coverage hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzales of Democracy Now!. Tune in for live …

Some may still feel like this:   I pretty much feel like this. (NSFW)   But most, including my spouse, probably just feel like this.    

  This week, INNER VOICES Social Issues Theatre program will present Universe City, a new performance piece examining the diversity of human interaction — its beauty, its complications, and what is required of us in …

Today on SP Radio, we talk to Assistant Professor of Biology Katy Heath and graduate students Dan Scholes, Abby Berkey, and Lisa Powers. They are part of a graduate course in Integrative Biology that is …

Keyhole Factory Book Release | Corkscrew Wine Shop | Tuesday November, 13th | 6-8 p.m.     Yesterday, William Gillespie sent me one of the more exciting emails I’ve had the privilige to receive in some …

Genome Day is an opportunity for the community to learn about genomes, genes, DNA, and evolution at the Orpheum Children’s Science Museum in Champaign. All members of the community will be welcome. Exhibits and activities …

The annual Roger Ebert Film Festival, aka Ebertfest, takes place this upcoming April 17–21, 2013. Today, festival passes went on sale and are available in a few ways. You can head over and buy them at …

Pizza FM is an upcoming freeform, noncommercial, college radio station run by a handful of students at the University of Illinois and they are looking for some help. Using an Indiegogo campaign, they are looking …

The Wedge Tequila Bar and Grill opened quietly in downtown Champaign last Wednesday at 415 N. Neil St. in the old Carmon’s Bistro space. Their menu boasts more than 100 different tequilas and food with …

HuffPo. Thank you for this. #2 is better than #1.

Those of you interested in saving a few dollars ahead of the 2013 Illinois Marathon should register today (10/31). Rates go up tomorrow (11/1). Check out the IM webpage for details on rates.

Chef Raymond Timpone, in conjunction with Corkscrew Wines, will host a dinner featuring the Tuscan winery, Isola e Olena on November 14 at 6:30 p.m. for $85 per person. No menu is available yet for the pairing dinner, …

Tim Beckman’s regularly scheduled weekly press conference.    

For those of you who regularly make the Monday night pilgrimage to Mike N Molly’s for the improv comedy stylings of The Abe Froman Project, please note that there is no show tonight. About 75% …

Game Time Set For Illinois-Minnesota Game on Nov. 10 Illini and Gophers to start at 2:30 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network The Big Ten Conference announced today times and television information for the weekend …

You can watch the video here.

We have a pair of tickets to give away for The Dirty Feathers’ Night of the Living Dead Halloween show tomorrow night at Cowboy Monkey. They’re playing with The Uglies and locals Love Toy. Should …

In a segment about the government picking winners and losers (about 7:00 in), the Daily Show ignores topography completely. There ain’t no bluffs for 200 miles.

According to a tweet by WCIA News, a civil suit for stalking was filed today against Mayor Don Gerard. We don’t know any details, but you can read more here.

On this week’s edition of Smile Politely Radio, the podcast is hijacked by the cast and crew of the Station Theatre’s upcoming production of Hamlet. Hear tales of life on the wicked stage, and learn …

Unit 4 is providing free supplemental education services (tutoring) for students. Of the eleven elementary schools only one has made the Adequate Yearly Progress. Of the ten that did not make AYP only seven were …

Tonight at 8:00 pm, a trio of rock n’ roll bands will converge on Mike N Molly’s pub. See the guitar-loving (and epically named) Concrete Rivals, the Hershey Squirts, and the Caramel Mints wind their …

Local DJs, Milk N Cookies, were busted last year with powder cocaine bagged up for distribution and $2,240 in their apartment after an extensive investigation by local law enforcement. Despite that compelling evidence, Class X …

On November 5, from 6–8 p.m., Art Mart will host a Food and Wine Event 2012 to benefit CASA of Champaign County. The event will cost $35 per person and include access to a variety of …

This Halloween, Psychic Joker will bring some classic campfire stories to life, right before your eyes during its second annual Week of Wickedness. All events at SoDo Theatre. Doors open nightly at 7:00 p.m. Tickets …

Looking for an affordable, weeknight change of pace? Check out Thursday Night Vegan Comfort Food at The Red Herring Vegetarian Restaurant this Thursday, October 25, from 5:00–8:00 p.m. The menu this week is vegan lasagna, …

Sun Singer Wine and Spirits is holding its 9th annual gala wine tasting on Wednesday, Oct. 24, at 5:00–8:30 p.m. Over 250 wines from select vineyards around the world will be offered. Generous discounts will …

Well, I guess you could say the University of Illinois has “reached its climax” (excellent word choice, I must say), as it was voted #1 in terms of sexual health, according to the 7th annual …

Champaign Centennial power forward Michael Finke’s stock has skyrocketed in the last six months. He now has scholarship offers to play basketball for fourteen different programs.  

Conductor James Blachly and soprano Jacqueline Piccolino headline three orchestral pieces tonight at Smith Music Hall, on the Quad.

The University of Illinois is hosting its annual Book and Print Sale on Thursday, November 8. Materials will include books in a multitude of subject areas, prints, and much more. $3 Bag Sale begins at …

The Illini basketball season kicks off Monday night with the annual Orange & Blue Scrimmage. The scrimmage starts at 7 p.m. and will consist of three, eight-minute quarters. Each quarter will be contested as its …