SPlog

This heavenly looking picture is of The Seaboat sandwich at the Seaboat on Kirby Ave. Fried fish, lettuce, cheese, onions, pickles, and tartar sauce on a hot dog bun.  Luckily I chose The Seaboat Jr., …

The parking garage in downtown Champaign is now open at the corner of Hill and Randolph, just north of Nitaya Thai and Farren’s, and just west of M2. The first hour is free, and it’s …

And here’s the proof. Common Loon opened the evening on a splendid, reverb-drenched note.   Matthew Campbell and Robert Hirschfeld of Common Loon show off the New Ruins’ new vinyl (with the Ruins’ Elzie Sexton …

1) The men’s team lost to Michigan State on Senior Day, 74–66, assuring the Illini they can finish no higher than second in the Big 10. 2) Luther Head was cut by the Houston Rockets, …

Can you name the street or intersection where this photo was taken?

Do you think this guy knows it?

For those of you following the current Ticketmaster and LiveNation merger, you should know that former local music promoter gone HUGE time, Irving Azoff, is in the center of it all.  In this photo, my …

  A Sunday morning track from local group Cheetah, from the forthcoming album, Pumpkin Eatah.

Polly wanna cracker? (In this recurring post, we’ll be suggesting items for sale on Champaign-Urbana’s Craigslist that you really shouldn’t have to live without.)

It would be awesome if WPGU would replace the version of Elvis Costello’s “(What’s So Funny ’bout) Peace Love and Understanding” that’s on its computer with one that didn’t skip. I’ve been listening to WPGU’s …

“I Have Laid In the Darkness of Doubt” Mazes played at the Canopy Club last night. It was a late show, but a good one. Mazes went on shortly after midnight, followed by Elsinore and …

Here’s Dan Blah cruising down Green Street during Critical Mass last night. It was a chilly ride, but well-attended and confrontation-free. Dan has a ride report with great slide show here, plus a picture gallery …

“Never trust a honey bee that is hopped up on cocaine.” U of I researchers are investigating the effects of cocaine on pollen and honey production.

I’m always amazed by the number of University of Illinois students that I meet who have never stepped inside the Assembly Hall. So, if that includes you, here’s a nice view of the spaceship from …

Revisit the glory days of high school calculus. I never did learn how to use one of these. (In this recurring post, we’ll be suggesting items for sale on Champaign-Urbana’s Craigslist that you really shouldn’t …

Smile Politely will soon be sharing with you the newest beers available at some of C-U’s finer drinking establishments. For today, we’ll focus on just Crane Alley, downtown Urbana’s premier watering hole for those seeking …

The monthly Champaign-Urbana Critical Mass ride will be held tonight, starting at 5:30 p.m. from the Alma Mater. Brave the chilly temps and engage in some low-level anarchic behavior. I’ll hopefully get some pics of …

Johnny “Red” Kerr, a former standout for the Illini men’s basketball team whose jersey hangs inside the Assembly Hall, died Thursday at the age of 76 from prostate cancer. Kerr played for Illinois in the …

From Bob Andrews at Undertow Music Collective: David Bazan is doing a nationwide house show tour, and the Champaign stop is April 7. He’s doing 50 shows playing in people’s houses. All with very limited …

Tristan Wraight took time out from his busy schedule to share some news on Headlights. The group is busy finishing up its new album (to be released on Polyvinyl) and preparing to go on a …

It should be obvious by now, but there is no such thing as “clean coal.” The Coen Brothers wanted to make sure that you know. Fantastic. As usual.  

According to the Associated Press, Gov. Quinn will be reversing Blago’s decision and reopening seven more state parks: Castle Rock State Park; Lowden State Park; Illini State Park; Hidden Springs State Forest; Moraine View State …

  Anatomy of a Cupcake is coming to C-U starting March 1st! A pastry catering business dedicated to the science of sweet and pleasing hungry people! We offer all kinds of goodies for any occasion …

This Saturday, Mike & Molly’s hosts a benefit concert for Catsnap. Check out the lineup below: 1 a.m. to close: Terminus Victor Midnight to 12:40 p.m.: Golden Quality 11 to 11:40 p.m.: The Number One …

Pardon me, but I thought I’d at least get come cookies and milk with this wasted 12 minutes of my life. If the GOP thinks that this is their answer to Barack Obama, then they …

Big Bluestem String Band will bring their eclectic bluegrass mix to Iron Post this Saturday, Feb. 28, from 6 to 9 p.m. Cover is $3.   Check out our profile of Big Bluestem here.

Authors Kathleen Rooney and Kyle Minor will read at the Illini Union Bookstore on March 3 as part of their 25-city Live Nude Girl in the Devil’s Territory Tour. Joining them will be special guest …

Welcome to Worth Sharing. This is where we’ll share what we think is some of the best of what is out there on the internets beyond C-U. Up first, your chance to buy the new …

To all the Merediths in Champaign-Urbana, the love you have from your mom, dad, and Joseph is immense — and this billboard proves it.  Meredith, we don’t know who you are, but a very happy …

Warning! University Ave. in downtown Champaign will have “closer” lanes starting March 2nd. I hope they end up being closer to my house.

If you’ve been wondering, “Where can I catch a cheesy film about cave explorers being menaced by giant centipedes?” you’re in luck. This year’s Insect Fear Film Festival, which has been dubbed “Centipede Cinema,” features …

I drive through rural Illinois daily, shooting pictures with my phone, VX LG3850 (cheap). The aesthetic rivals box cameras or Polaroid sensibilities, I guess. I call the pix in to blurrycellphone.blogspot.com.

Julian Bond, civil rights legend and former Chairman of the NAACP, is speaking on campus tonight.  7 p.m.Alice Campbell Alumni Center601 South Lincoln Avenue Full details at the Department of African American Studies website.

We’ve got some mighty fine rock and roll DJs in town right now. Matter of fact, most of the DJs at Mike & Molly’s on a given night are worth the one-dollar cover and then …

How did I miss this? These two Tesla coils are being controlled using something called a “Lippold Haken Continuum Fingerboard,” some sort of Midi device under the control of local musician/engineer Mark Smart. This March …

Here’s a song from our album If This Country Had a Heart, That’s Where I Was Born, which was reviewed on Smile Politely. We’ll be playing on WEFT 90.1 FM on Monday, March 9, and …

We looked very carefully at whether to spend the money for a new bookmobile in this time of tightening budgets. The cost of a new vehicle, along with annual operating costs, didn’t seem like the …

A new post from last week’s featured C-U Blogger. Halfway to Normal examines what people don’t like about hypocritical Christians, and examples of the alternative, non-hypocrisy. (read SP’s interview with Kristin here)

Big changes to this year’s LMAs. We at Illini Media continually appreciate your feedback, and we have decided to change the way the awards are working this year. For all the information, read the above …

He admitted the facts, and the judge found him guilty. –State’s Attourney Julia Rietz In a sad and twisted case that involved more than a few missteps, it seems like Gene Amberg is going to …

This is fairly old by now, but new to me. Here’s a link to The Escapist‘s video review of Saints Row 2 from Champaign’s own Volition (sorry, it didn’t want to embed). There’s some NSFW …

Here’s a preview of first year foundation students’ artwork displayed in the Link Gallery at Krannert Art Museum. See you there tonight from 4–6 p.m.

Microfinance aims to assist underprivileged, third-world citizens in building profitable businesses through a series of lending and investments. UI Professor Arends–Kuenning, from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Economics, speaks on the topic tonight, Feb. …

Creepy Coyote: Oschkers! The Minor Mennonite: Yet Another Oscar 2009 Recap A Mom for All Seasons: Oscar Recap Charlie Johnson: The Best (Gayest) Oscars Ever Who else are we missing?

Whether you’re shopping for some new wall decor, seeing if you can rap in front of something other than a mirror, or just sitting back and watching the stage, Red Herring’s open mic night brings …

How’s this for a teaser to the upcoming Station Theatre production of Whitey? Old basements are always dark and creepy places. The one at Bobby Lee Charles’ rural Kentucky home gets even darker and more …

“Police clear out event.” That’s on the cover of the print edition of today’s Daily Illini. And while it’s certainly not the DI‘s responsibility to force its opinion into the news story, I am left …

Don’t miss out on your free short stack of pancakes from IHOP tomorrow, especially if you never got your Grand Slam from Denny’s. In exchange for their generosity, IHOP suggest you show some of your …