SPlog

The election isn’t until November, and you have until October 29th to request your ballot, but you should really take five minutes to request your mail in ballot now. Voting by mail is safe and …

Urbana Park District released their plans for Phase 4 of Restore Illinois, which means a few more things will be available for use. Here are some new guidelines for outdoor things: UPD Outdoor Basketball and …

The Champaign Unit 4 Board of Education has unanimously approved a resolution declaring that racism is a public health crisis. What does that mean, excactly? You can read the full resolution, but in short, it …

The Champaign Forest Preserves have been a wonderful respite as over the past few months as a way to get out in nature and spend some time out of the house. Now they will be …

Illinois enters into Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan today, which allows restaurants to start offering indoor dining in a limited way. However, not all restaurants are going that route. Notably, Farren’s has decided …

I’ve been ordering Papa Del’s pizza for many years, but just recently I decided to throw some arancini from the appetizer menu into the mix. If you’re not familiar, arancini are delightful balls of cheese …

Thanks to you exciting collaboration between Allerton Park and Retreat Center and the CU Poetry Group, you can come along on a virtual poetree hike on Saturday, June 27th from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. …

Illinois Global Institute and the Center for African Studies will host C-U and international youth as they discuss their lives in the midst of the global pandemic. As a sign of our times, the roundtable …

From the email blast:   FROM THE BOARD   The Board of Directors of Common Ground Food Co-op stands in solidarity with those in our community and across the US and the world who are …

The Preservation and Conservation Association (PACA) has been working with Unit 4 during the school district’s renovations of multiple properties. PACA is selling all sorts of things salvaged from Unit 4 schools, including lockers from …

Champaign-Urbana’s Youth Climate Justice Forum is a youth-led group of climate activists from schools around Champaign-Urbana working to collectively create change by empowering and inspiring their peers and their community, particularly through raising awareness about …

School of Music at University of Illinois has announced two workshops that students will be able to take this summer, “Black Lives Matter and Music” and “White Supremacy and Music”. Both are taking place predominantly …

From Urbana Park District’s website: Register now for the Power of Parks 5K virtual race! People itching to run a 5K race can now scratch that itch … virtually. Registration is open for the Power …

As reported in The News-Gazette yesterday, Champaign-Urbana Public Health Department is asking people who attended an “unofficial prom” at a house in Mahomet on June 13th to get tested for COVID-19. This “unofficial prom” was …

Though this isn’t exactly a hyper-local story to Champaign County, there’s a black bear that’s traveling through the state, and Illinois Department of Natural Resources is asking that you be nice to the bear if …

The Museum of the Grand Prairie, which is a facility of the Champaign County Forest Preserves, continues to do such amazing and powerful work, and its post about the history of Frances Nelson, for whom a …

This Friday at 7 p.m., Uniting Pride of Champaign County and Ricker Library of Architecture and Art will host a Zoom presentation of the award-winning film Moonlight, followed by a community conversation with Derrius Carter, MPH, a …

Cake Artist’s Studio has reopened. Pick up your cakes this week and next Tuesday through Saturday. They offer sheet cakes, layered cakes, cookies, gourmet cupcakes, mini cupcakes, giant stuffed cupcakes, and party cupcakes. In July, they …

Stephen Malkmus, mastermind of the legendary indie rock outfit Pavement, had a listen to the new HUM record Inlet, which was surprise-released yesterday. He keeps his thoughts short and sweet, and its awesome to see the record …

Neil St. Blues is re-opening today, Wednesday, June 24th. Starting at 11 a.m., you can order this Black-owned restaurant’s opening day special: $5 pulled pork sandwich or $5 pulled chicken sandwich, both served with fries.   …

Something to note, as you are walking around the parks these days, in consideration of how the hell 2020 ended up looking like the beginning to a Wes Craven film. When you ask yourself “how …

Here’s a friendly reminder for K-12 filmmakers that the deadline for the 2020 Pens to Lens filmmaking competition is June 30th. All films must be submitted to the Pens to Lens website by this date. Get those …

Champaign ABLM (All Black Lives Matter) and the UP Center are hosting the march and rally at 11 a.m. this Saturday, June 27th at West Side Park in Champaign. Per the Facebook event page: Champaign …

HUM have announced the release of their new highly-anticipated record, Inlet. You can stream the album right now on their Bandcamp page. Updates about the new record have been few and far between, which comes …

Look at those slushie machines in action at Black Dog Smoke & Ale House. You can get your ribs and an icy cold adult beverage. Try their amaretto stone sour slushie or a vodka Zeppelin …

Farren’s announced the return of their slushies. You can choose from three options: very berry Margarita, coconut pineapple daiquiri, and rum twister. They all look delicious. Place your order by phone at 217-359-6977 for curbside pickup, …

From the press release: CHAMPAIGN — The University of Illinois Research Park is launching a free technology training program to increase skills in programming and data analytics that will elevate the tech sector workforce in …

Joining City of Champaign’s small business grant program, City of Urbana has announced they will be assisting small businesses with financial relief. From the press release: CITY OF URBANA SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM In response …

Art for Mutual Aid in Illinois launched today to support mutual aid and social justice projects in East Central Illinois. Coordinated by Amy Powell, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at Krannert Art Museum, offers …

University of Illinois professor of Mechanical Science and Engineering, Taher Saif has conducted a study (with his team of researchers) finding that the use of face masks can greatly reduce the spread of COVID-19. Saif …

The Three Hierarchs Church, Merry-Ann’s Diner and Sam’s Cafe are teaming up together to serve meals for C-U homeless shelters during the COVID-19 crisis. The three are working toward their goal to provide 2,000 meals. They …

Little libraries have gained popularity in the last five-ish years — I bet you have a couple in a short walking distance from your house. These free book sharing spots are a delight to encounter. …

Local artists and University of Illinois School of Art + Design professors Patrick Earl Hammie and Stacey Robinson currently have work on view at Avionics. You can visit Avionics to purchase some beverages (and, in …

Class Act will be offering a series of four free Friday youth theatre classes via Zoom. Activities will include theatre games and creative time connecting with friends.  In lieu of tuition for this class, Class …

From the U of I Massmail: Modified on-campus instruction for Fall 2020 semester June 18, 2020 3:14 PM Dear Faculty, Students and Staff, As you know, our university leadership has been consulting with faculty, staff, …

Urbana Amble brings together two of my favorite things: art and gardens. If you are a gardener, artist, or both, register to participate. The two-day event, which will run July 3rd and 4th, is open …

An email went home to Unit 4 parents yesterday from Superintendent Susan Zola that outlined three possibilities for returning to instruction in the fall. All will depend on state and public health guidance. From the …

Father’s Day is this Sunday, June 21. What food and drink are you planning to get Dad this year? Share in the comments on our social media channels. Top image by Jessica Hammie.

Though they’ve been quietly open for a couple of weeks with some shortened hours, they are now letting the community at large know. They’ve also extended their hours, and will be open 12 to 7 …

Small businesses in Champaign that have been impacted by COVID crisis can apply for a grant of up to $15,000. According to the city’s website: “Eligible small businesses may request reimbursement for expenses incurred April …

The bookstore has been keeping their retail outlet closed since March, and is continuing to stay closed for now, but these sidewalk sales give shoppers the opportunity to browse books in person while maintaining a …

Sometimes we’re all just a little parched, and in need of some thirst quenching. One way to satisfy (or instigate) that desire is to head to Nando Milano’s Instagram page…because it’s a thirst trap.   …

In 2016, Mahomet residents utilizing the Mahomet Aquifer found their water source contaminated by a gas leak. With the help of Spiros Law, some of those residents moved forward with a lawsuit aimed at People’s …

If you are looking for documentaries, podcasts, and interviews related to race relations in the U.S., check out this list of resources compiled by Illinois Public Media. It points to broader platforms such as the Code …

Martin Burke, a U of I chemistry professor, spoke about this huge development during a webinar yesterday. The test will figure into plans to bring students back to campus in the fall. Here are a …

If you want a little art history education in response to the issues of racism that continue to permeate our culture and conversations, head on over to Krannert Art Museum’s Facebook page. They are utilizing …

Just BEE Açai is heading back out with their bright yellow shasta to serve up açai for C-U. After many weeks of home delivery (which will still be possible), Just BEE Açai will be open …

C&C Kitchen is local food truck specializing in Southern inspired American cuisine. If you haven’t tried C&C Kitchen’s food, you should check out their $10 meals. You can have your choice of catfish fillet, wings, smoked …