SPlog

It’s March Madness, and Nike has unleashed a new series that makes light of the grudges that hold fast long after big games have been played. This one hits home, I imagine for you Illini …

WHAT: “DOD Environmental Management Program,” by Dr. Alan Anderson, DOD-CERL WHEN: Friday, March 20 @ 12 noon WHERE:  204 AESB, 1304 W Pennsylvania Ave, Urbana Pizza and pop will be provided at 11:45 in the …

Krannert Art Museum has launched audio guides and podcasts on iTunes University. Audio guides for the permanent collection and special exhibits as well as recordings from various museum events are available as free downloads onto …

Austin, before the madness begins on Day Two: Keep Austin Weird: that’s the slogan for most hipsters that call the liberal oasis of Texas home. This lady was decidely not hip, but was definitely engaging …

Courtesy of The Baseball Zealot: the Vermilion Voles have released their schedule for the upcoming season. The vintage base ball team, which plays their home games in Kennekuk State Park, have a 12-date schedule, including …

These bank robbers inadvertantly decided to spread the wealth a little bit. On Monday, Centrue Bank on South Neil St. was robbed by two gunmen. They dropped “a few hundred dollars” when they drove off, …

Local music scene icon Todd Hunter talks about his WEFT show, why there are fewer shows in C-U than there used to be, etc.

Jookabox (sans Grampall — it’s official, Grampall died last month in a fiery storm of bullets) killed it in front of a capacity crowd at The Beauty Bar to kick off the Asthmatic Kitty Records …

While today’s a day to focus on what’s happening on the court, Illinois’ men’s basketball team is an even more consistent performer on the balance sheet.

Larkin’s Place has an announcement about “Spread the Word to End the Word,” which will be held on March 31 and sponsored by the Special Olympics. Quit using the “R-word,” ok? Try douchebag or asshole …

It’s started again. Equipped with G1 phone cameras, we’ll do our best to keep C-U updated with photos of interest, whether it’s bands from Champaign-Urbana performing here (there are just two) or bands that we …

The University of Illinois hockey team has advanced to the ACHA National Championship Game. Fans can listen to streaming audio at livesportsvideo.com. Jon Hansen of WPGU calls the game starting at 6 p.m. central time.

Last week, Mark Thompson, owner of Slot & Wing Hobbies, was arrested for disrupting a William Ayers speech at Allen Hall.  Champaign County State’s Attorney Julia Rietz decided not to press charges: “I am simply …

Congrats to local food blogger Champaign Taste for her recent media appearances. She was featured on both WILL and WICD last week. It’s always nice to see local bloggers who aren’t merely griping about their …

They told us to toss everything. Fortunately, we don’t have a lot of stuff right now. We didn’t have a full menu of anything, — Mike Wallner, director of golf for the orange and blue …

After yesterday’s plea for volunteerism to help secure the path in the upcoming Illinois Marathon, it seems like the community has risen to the challenge. Let’s hope this year goes off without a hitch, and …

Cool! Dr. Suzanne Trupin is twittering and blogging the same nifty info you hear from her on WILL-AM once in a while. I just found out a couple of hours ago that she was “Haloing …

Now you too can get a phone call from Illinois men’s basketball coach Bruce Weber. Weber will interrupt a press conference to give you a ring, or you can annoy that Purdue or Michigan State …

Ward Gollings has the eagle eye. Have you got the wallet?

Love film? Sure, we all do. But do you love film enough to dabble in the creation of one? If so, the Champaign Movie Makers, a group of likeminded film fanatics, meets tonight, March 18, …

Through a grant from the National Endowment of the Arts, the two main libraries in Champaign County have decided to promote the 1930 novel, Maltese Falcon, by Dashiell Hammett, for this year’s Big Read. The …

But Vilsack’s department matters most because of the health costs of the American diet. If Michael Pollan is right, the problem is rooted in politics and, in a sense, Iowa. I agree with C-U’s own …

The Illinois baseball team completed a four-game sweep of the Akron Zips on Sunday, improving to 11-2 on the season and climbing to #19 in this week’s national rankings: http://www.fightingillini.com/sports/m-basebl/recaps/031509aaa.html http://www.illinihq.com/news/baseball/2009/03/15/hartleb_wins_th_as_illinois_sweeps

A profile of Emerald Rum, performing tonight at the soon-to-be late, great Embassy Tavern: http://media.www.dailyillini.com/media/storage/paper736/news/2009/03/17/News/Community.Celebrates.St.Patricks.Day-3673612.shtml

Champaign police may pull key permits, which would force cancellation of the race, if more volunteers don’t step forward: http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2009/03/17/illinois_marathon_could_be_called_off_for_lack_of_volunteers

Gnight Girl does her part to support the troops when she and her husband helped a soldier on leave have a good time in Downtown Champaign.

Maserati (the band not the Italian car), from Athens (the one in Georgia, the state in the U.S., not the country in eastern Europe, as opposed to Athens, Greece, the birthplace of modern civilization), made …

IlliniPundit has a report from the Champaign County Republican Party’s Lincoln Day Dinner. Sounds like all is well.

The Board of Trustees decided last week that the Mumford House will stay on the South Quad, after talk that it would be relocated. The Daily Illini editorial board talks about how we got to …

Which is worse: an abandoned farmhouse with junk vehicles, or a Casey’s gas station? On East University just outside the Urbana city limits, residents would prefer neither, but they’re none too pleased about the Casey’s …

I was walking through downtown Urbana today, enjoying the great weather, when I was reminded of something that has always bothered me. Why are there 4 different law offices on the corner of Main and …

This is Chicago’s Cains & Abels at Mike and Molly’s friday night (a la crappy camera phone). They put on a great show, seemed to have a great time playing, and were really nice. I …

According to its website, the UIUC Engineering Open House draws about 20,000 visitors each year. People flocked to campus on Friday and Saturday to experience cutting edge technology, hands-on experiments, and free giveaways. Here’s a …

The city of Champaign public works has ordered the removal of 79 trees in the downtown area due to “a disease of some sort.” This one came down on Vine St. close between State and …

Dan Blah provided the above photo from the concert, which was spectacular. Will Oldham and his exceptional backing band played for about 1 hour, 45 minutes, and covered the full breadth of his catalog, from …

“… but what have I done to your country.” Will Ferrell portrays G.W. Bush on Broadway in his show, WILL FERRELL: YOU’RE WELCOME, AMERICA: A final night with George W. Bush. If you can’t make …

The first pitch against Akron was actually about an hour ago, and there’s a doubleheader tomorrow beginning at noon, followed by a single game Sunday at 1:05. Illinois Baseball Report breaks down the competition and …

Green Party candidates for Urbana Mayor and City Council Durl Kruse, Mark Mallon, and Gary Storm will hold an open forum on Monday, March 16 at 7:30 p.m. in the Urbana Free Library auditorium.

My son’s band, The Jips, just won the Champaign Park District’s teen battle of the bands this week at the Virginia Theatre. And yep, I’m quite proud. Plus, they’re very good!

Here are the new beers making the rounds this weekend. If you’ve been longing for Bell’s, you’re in luck. Crane Alley New draughts: Atwater VooDooVator Doppelbock, Dark Horse Too Cream Stout, Lagunitas IPA, Southern Tier …

From the U of I News Bureau: RESEARCHERS TAKE FIRST LOOK AT THE GENETIC DYNAMICS OF INBREEDING DEPRESSIONDeclines in reproductive success due to inbreeding are probably due to a few key genes that influence other …

The Hollywood Reporter reports (as it is wont to do) the teen “black comedy” Heathers has been slated to become “Heathers: The Musical”. Andy Frickman (“Race to Witch Mountain”, “Refer Madness: The Musical”) is developing …

This is a screenshot captured on March 11 at 5:15 p.m., CST. This is the “new and improved” Jupiter’s web site. … This particular slogan with the failed attempt at a joke is what comes …

Jonathan Dillon April 13, 1861. Fort Sumter was attacked by the rebels on the above date. Thank God we have a government. Dillon was a watchmaker who just happened to be working on Lincoln’s pocket …