SPlog

The CU Community Fab Lab is hosting an online holiday market this year to help raise money for summer camp scholarships. They have some pretty amazing summer camps that introduce kids to cool stuff like …

In the most recent allocation of CARES Act funds, the City of Champaign received $760,141 in stimulus funds to respond to the pandemic.  They are inviting the public to offer comments on the proposed uses for …

The Stuft Bird is a new food truck in town, specializing in fried chicken wings stuffed with fillings. Parked just off the corner of University and Fourth in Champaign, this silver truck serves up wings …

This holiday season, the makers of the Mistletoe Market will offer a curated, COVID-safe, shop local opportunity in the form of a wooden, outdoor booth on Main Street in downtown Urbana. Presented by Norden at …

Illinois Country, the Illinois Public Media documentary that came out earlier this year, has been awarded two Mid-America Emmys: for Documentary – Cultural and for Musical Composition/Arrangement for its original song “Backroads”. In case you …

Triptych has done the very important work of coming up with a Thanksgiving six-pack that will pair quite nicely with all of the traditional dishes on your table. For $17.99, you can bring home one …

There’s a Champaign resident on this year’s Food Network’s Holiday Baking Championship, and her name is Julianna Jung. This is the seventh season of the Holiday Baking Championship on the Food Network, and this season …

Democrat Mike Ingram has defeated Republican Mark Shelden in the race for Champaign County Recorder. This was a close race, and with the election results being entirely tabulated now per the Champaign County Clerk, this can …

Democrat Jordan Humphrey has defeated Republican Jon Rector in the race for the District 5 County Board seat. This was a close race, and with the election results being entirely tabulated now per the Champaign County …

Republican Brad Passalacqua has defeated Democrat Kellie Lee Mansfield in the race for the District 4 County Board seat. This was a close race, and with the election results being entirely tabulated now per the …

in the absence of things, “an experimental short film that blends spoken word, art song, and movement with deconstructed concert recordings from Somi’s new live album “Holy Room—Live at Alte Oper with Frankfurt Radio Big …

In the normal times, Common Ground Food Co-op transforms their salad bar into a Thanksgiving buffet of their delicious side dishes. Do not fear, they still have you covered.  This year all of the Thanksgiving …

IL-13 Representative Rodney Davis has yet to make a statement about Trump losing the election and Biden winning the election. He’s one of three Illinois dummies who haven’t commented on the election, despite reality, which …

Now it’s even easier to pick up your favorite Aroma drinks and treats. Order online then take advantage of curbside pickup to bring breakfast or lunch back home. I’m thinking I need a Chicken Caprese Wrap …

Reema Dodin, 2006 graduate of the U of I College of Law, has been named Deputy Director of the White House Office of Legislative Affairs. From her biography: Reema Dodin currently serves as a volunteer …

Last year I asked about your favorite shortcuts for Thanksgiving meal prep. Frankly, I don’t remember what you all said. The last 365 days have been longer than any 365 many of us have experienced, …

Suzu’s Bakery opened last Tuesday, and it is a beautiful addition to Downtown Champaign. Led by Chef Suzuko Enomoto, this bakery offers a variety of baked goods and drinks in a gorgeous, minimalist spot that used …

The grant comes from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and it will used to construct an outdoor learning pavilion at Anita Purves Nature Center. From the press release: The project will construct a 30 …

Jersey the bat-eared pup has had quite the life. It could easily be made into a movie or a comic book: The Adventures of Jersey. Spoiler alert: there is a happy ending. Learn more about …

There’s a lot to be upset about these days. However, chocolate is one of the things in life we can enjoy in the comfort of our own homes, and eat it to excess if we …

The show is definitely going on at Urbana High School Theatre’s virtual cabaret, available for streaming at 7 p.m. on November 20th and 21st. MuThVaSh 2020 will present a variety of “musical theatre songs performed by [the] …

Back in the spring, Columbia Street Roastery launched a virtual cupping class, giving budding coffee connoisseurs the opportunity to experience their popular event from the comfort of their homes. Now, just in time for holiday …

Earlier this week, Café Kopi and Farren’s posted photos and notes thanking Maize for dropping off food to their establishments as a means to express solidarity with other Downtown Champaign restaurants. That’s pretty nice! A …

If you’re a C-U artist or maker looking for COVID-friendly ways to sell and promote your work, register to be included in 40 North’s local art holiday gift guide. The deadline is midnight at Thursday, …

If you’d like to bring a little of Japan House to someone you love this holiday season, be sure to check out their new Holiday Gift Guide. I typically love browsing their annual Mottainai Bazaar, …

This probably isn’t a surprise, as we watch cases rise in the area. From Director Mike Ross: “While we long to gather with you again in our theatres in person as soon as that is …

In light of rapidly escalating COVID cases, the Champaign Public Library will return exclusively to virtual and curbside services beginning Friday, November 20th. If you don’t have a library card, you can sign up here. …

…that Kevin Cronin of R.E.O. Speedwagon will be doing a virtual halftime show for the U of I homecoming game on December 5th.  Actually, I just saw it in The News-Gazette. R.E.O Speedwagon was formed …

Over two weekends in December, Miller Park Zoo will be hosting their annual Wild Lights event, with some modifications of course. There will not be the usual vendors and activities, but the zoo will be …

Jonathan Coppess, Assistant Professor and Director of the Gardner Agriculture Policy Program and the Bock Ag Law/Policy Program at the University of Illinois, has been named to President-elect Biden’s USDA transition team. Coppess is a …

The University of Illinois Press and Bookwoman are hosting a virtual launch of Queer and Trans Migrations: Dynamics of Illegalization, Detention, and Deportation at 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 19th. Don’t miss the chance to …

This time last year I discovered something wonderful: the Thanksgiving Zone from D.P. Dough. Here is how I described it: “It has your Thanksgiving dinner all tucked nicely into a pocket of dough. There’s turkey, …

Caribbean Grill just launched a brand new app that you can download from the App Store or Google Play. The app lets users place their orders and select the pick up date and time. Here’s …

Cunningham Township Supervisor’s Office, in partnership with Common Ground Food Co-op and the Bucket Brigade will be tabling at Lincoln Square Mall on Sunday, November 22nd from 1 to 4 p.m. They will be stationed …

When the Orpheum Children’s Science Museum closed its doors in June, it didn’t really go away. While it will no longer exist in the Orpheum Theatre building, the organization is still functioning and looking ahead …

Just when we could really use some good news, 40 North announces the winners of the 2020 ACE Awards, reminding us of CU’s many talented and generous artists, art educators, volunteers, and arts businesses and …

Five years after establishing Solar Urbana-Champaign, a group purchasing program designed to make solar energy more accessible for Champaign County residents, the City of Urbana is launching an expansion into geothermal systems. Urbana is once …

Allerton Park and Retreat Center has announced the beginning of a new artist in residence program, which “offers artists and naturalists the opportunity to live and create on the Allerton estate,” and “brings awareness to …

Chaundra Bishop is running for Urbana City Council, in the Ward 5 seat being vacated by Dennis Roberts. Municipal elections are in April 2021. Democrat Bishop ran for Champaign County Coroner, but was defeated by …

Current Urbana Mayor Diane Marlin has filed for re-election (the next election is April 2021). First elected in 2017, Marlin is running on her expereince lead[ing] the charge to restore Urbana’s financial health. Under her …

Thanksgiving is next week, people. Two weeks ago, we shared a list of C-U places offering prepared Thanksgiving meals, sides, and pies. If you have not yet decided what to order, you probably should decide …

There’s a new bakery in Champaign called Suzu’s. We told you about the bakery in September, and now the bakery is opening for business. Suzu’s grand opening will be tomorrow, Tuesday, November 17th. This Japanese …

Democrat Susan McGrath has defeated Republican Katie Blakeman in the race for Champaign County Circuit Clerk. Blakeman announced her concession on her Facebook page. Keep up with the results of the 2020 Election here. Here’s a …

Anyone else a little jealous? I wouldn’t mind getting the hell off this planet for awhile. The Department of Aerospace Engineering is hosting a virtual watch party to view Mike Hopkins, a 1992 grad, command …

From the press release: Champaign Unit 4 Schools Pivoting to Remote Learning  Pursuant to guidance from Champaign Urbana Public Health District, Champaign Unit 4 will be moving to a full remote learning environment effective Monday, …

In May 2019, students in CobraVenture, a cohort of student entrepreneuers at Parkland College, presented their ideas to a panel of judges. The winner received $3000 dollars in seed money to advance their project.  The …

The long awaited Bea Nettles: Harvest of Memory exhibition at Krannert Art Museum opened last week for in-person viewing. But on Thursday, November 19th, KAM will host an opening celebration via Zoom. The event will …

Yesterday, La Mixteca shared a series of photos illustrating the building of a burrito with Flamin’ Hot Cheetos inside. This nod to California-style burritos, which were invented in San Diego and contain carne asada and …