SPlog

Champaign County is set to receive $40 million thanks to the passage of the American Rescue Plan Act. The finance committee is meeting on May 25th at 6 p.m. for a study session, and they …

Fashion illustration combines two of my favorite things: design and illustration. And the way the students in the University of Illinois Fashion Illustration course do it is totally cutting edge (sorry, I couldn’t resist). The student-created …

On Monday, the FDA announced that it would grant emergency use authorization (EUA) of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for adolescents age 12 to 15. A vaccine advisory committee at the CDC is meeting Wednesday to …

University of Illinois School of Art + Design grad Yvette Mayorga (Painting, 2015) has her artwork featured on a digital billboard in NYC’s Times Square. How cool is that? Mayorga is now a Chicago-based artist …

Champaign Center Partnership is bringing 13 Thursdays back this summer. This is a promotion that encourages the community to explore Campustown throughout the summer while a large percentage of students are gone.  Every Thursday from …

If you’re ready to take to the skies again and want to be able to zip your way through the airport process, here is an opportunity to sign up for TSA Precheck.  Willard Airport will …

Students in Professor Mark Taylor’s Architecture 473 class are working with the Farnsworth Group architecture firm to transform the building at 303 North First Street in Champaign into the Urban Gardening and Prosperity Gardens headquarters.  Plans …

Illinois Newsroom’s work over the past year has earned them recognition from the Radio Television Digital News Association in three areas: Continuing Coverage” of the University of Illinois COVID-19 testing program “Digital” for both the …

The Downtown Urbana Historic District has been on the National Register of Historic Places since August 2019, but the City of Urbana has just launched a walking tour of the area. You can access the …

Charcuterie is having a moment, and Crafted and Carved is here to make beautiful boards of snacks for C-U. Creating charcuterie boards and grazing tables customized to your size of gathering and preferences, Crafted and …

‘Tis the season for gardening, and if you’re in search of some veggies or flowers to plant this weekend, here are a few opportunities to get what you need while supporting organizations that are doing …

Carle is hosting a six week bereavement program for anyone who has lost a loved one to COVID, regardless of where their loved one was treated. The program is virtual, and there are two separate …

The ever popular youth summer camps at the Champaign-Urbana Community Fab Lab are back this summer. Mark your calendar for the registration date: May 14th at 9 a.m. These camps have always filled up quickly …

Do you happen to have photos of the interior of the Landmark/Lincoln/Jumer’s hotel? The City of Urbana would like you to share them. The hotel was purchased by Icon Hospitality, who will develop it into …

There are so many cool things about this call that it’s hard to know where to start. But let’s begin with a definition. Ekphrastic poetry, based on the word ekphrasis, or, the careful description of …

It’s really, really good. Just look at it! It’s craggy, and the perfect caramel drizzle is nestled right on into them. Check the Ye Olde Facebook page for the daily menu, and then get there …

A “multimedia installation that brings together interior design, audio and visual art made with Black girls” Homemade, With Love: More Living Room, creates an intricate and impactful space within Krannert Art Museum. By asking “What …

Businesses seeking reimbursement for expenses related to COVID-19 have another opportunity to apply for the City of Champaign’s Economic Support Program. According to the press release: “Grant funds can be used to reimburse businesses that purchased …

There is a new business in Champaign where you pay to book a session of smashing a bunch of breakable items with a baseball bat, sledgehammer, or golf club. Really.  This might be the best …

MTD is looking for the public to share their thoughts on the proposed schedule and route changes for Fall 2021. Their presentation video as well as a written summary of proposed changes is now available …

Looking for a new recipe to make at home? Common Ground Food Coop featured C-U resident Darya Shahgheibi’s family recipe for this Iranian dish on the CGFC blog. In this family recipe, Shahgheibi shares the ingredients you …

Next Level Hair Parlor, a hair salon and barbershop, has opened in the space formerly occupied by Rogue Barbershop, a hateful place that required its “members” to sign waivers saying they didn’t support Antifa or …

Mahomet-based author Stephanie Davenport has published her sixth story within the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. But Read, Laugh, Repeat doesn’t do good by offering uplifting words. Its publishers are also donating a portion of …

*Editor’s Note: Since this was originally published, Governor Pritzker announced a date for Illinois to move into the Bridge Phase. Sholem and Crystal Lake have been able to remove the reservation times and resume regular …

Youth age 11 to 19 are invited to participate in Liberation Fest, a two day event organized by members of the graduate-level Liberation Psychology class at the University of Illinois community organizations including DREAAM House, Uniting …

Lisa Mercer, an assistant professor of graphic design in the School of Art + Design at the University of Illinois has teamed up with Terresa Moses, an assistant professor of graphic design at the University …

Rose Bowl Tavern has opened their parking lot patio, and they have a full schedule of live music, comedy, and trivia this month. Due to the loss of The Iron Post as a venue, the Rose …

Though violinist Alleya Weibel isn’t based here anymore, she hasn’t stopped playing and performing music as we knew her to do when she was based in C-U. She’s taken her talents across the pond to London …

Give mom the gift of caffeine with a Mother’s Day gift box from Columbia Street Roastery. For $20, she will get 1/2 pound bags of their Strawberry Shortcake and Red Velvet Cupcake flavored coffees, as …

Common Ground Food Co-op has extended their Owner Appreciation Days for an entire week, May 4-11, giving you plenty of opportunity to take advantage of all there is to offer. It also helps thin out …

Sometimes you need to treat yourself. With the warmer weather we’re having, it is a great time to get out of the house. I took myself out (leaving my family at home with peanut butter …

The final IllinoisX Space Technology Talk is this Wednesday, May 5th from 4 to 5 p.m. This virtual lecture will feature “Dr. Sonny White from Limitless Space speaking about the future of interstellar space travel …

Bend the Arc: CU Jewish Action is joining forces with NAACP Champaign County Branch, League of Women Voters of Champaign County, When We All Vote Champaign County, CU Moms Demand Action, First Followers CU, Delta Sigma …

May 5th is Kodomo no Hi (Children’s Day), a national holiday in Japan. This year, Japan House has assembled a fun gift box to help celebrate. Each box contains: Koinobori (Cloth Carp Streamers) Maxx Gogski Japan …

Campustown has another new restaurant worth checking out. Shawarma Joint is a 100% halal Middle Eastern restaurant on Green Street in Zorba’s old location beside Mia Za’s. The menu is quite large and features appetizers …

West University Avenue is Champaign is a lovely street to take a stroll on, and this Arbor Day you can bring along this tree guide to help you stop and appreciate the “urban forest” of mature …

I’ll be honest, bowling is one of those activities that I haven’t even thought about since the beginning of the pandemic. Did I really used to stick my fingers into a bowling ball and my …

In a massmail sent by Chancellor Robert J. Jones today, he indicated that by August 23rd, U of I will drop the COVID testing requirements for students, staff, and faculty that have verified proof of …

If you’ve been following our recent series, Performing Your Art in a Pandemic, you know that it’s been an especially challenging year for performing art students; one full of frustrating limitations and inspired innovations. Now …

The University of Illinois Robert E. Brown Center for World Music is premiering a video of new Balinese music and dance on Saturday, May 1st. Professor I Ketut Gede Asnawa is retiring, and “the center …

If you’re looking for an outdoor entertainment option now that the weather has turned a corner, Pour Bros. patio is a good place to be. Thursday Night Trivia has extended to the patio (with additional …

Allerton Park’s Greenhouse Café opens Thursday, April 29th (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) for a “soft opening,” but will open with regular hours beginning May 1st. The café is operated by Blue Dragonfly Catering; you …

This is the content we need for our Thursday morning: I get pretty excited about popsicles too.   For live and in person otter content, zip on over to Miller Park Zoo for an afternoon. …

Last spring, five high school students formed the group Paign to Peace. The group was very active throughout the summer, organizing marches and rallies to meet the moment racial reckoning. Now, as gun violence continues …

The Urbana Business Association, a member-driven non profit focused on supporting local businesses, will permanently close on April 30th. UBA cites the COVID-19 pandemic as a reason for its closure. This means that all UBA …

During the winter, several area restaurants added greenhouse style shelters to their patios to allow patrons to continue to dine out while indoor dining was closed. Carlos Nieto, owner of CMT Ventures, is finding ways …

Courtesy of Kelly White, executive director of 40 North, I’m happy to share the following calls for art submissions.  In order of deadline, they are:  Art for Health & Unity: The 2021 Art for Health …

This cake from Aroma Cafe has a big chocolate swirl, chocolate chip-banana cake, cream cheese frosting, and crunchy, crispies on the outside — and I ate it for lunch yesterday. As I was ordering a latte, …