Cessily Thomas, a teacher at Centennial High School and founder of the Black Teacher Alliance, wrote these words and created a video featuring photos from Monday’s protest in C-U. Here’s what she had to say …
At the very heart of Smile Politely is a yearning for social justice, for change. Today, the live performance industry is taking the day off to honor and rest in the names of Ahmaud Arbery, …
Members of the Champaign-Urbana community and beyond gathered today for this peaceful protest in response to the murder of George Floyd and countless others. The protest kicked off at the Champaign County Courthouse where it …
Donate your money and/or time and/or knowledge to the following local organizations: Black Lives Matter C-U First Followers C-U Champaign County Bailout Coalition HV Neighborhood Transformation Other resources: C-U Show Up for Racial Justice 75 …
The nation is hurting, and our community is hurting. If you want to lend your voice and your physical presence in protest of the murder of George Floyd and countless others, there is a protest …
The highly contagious nature of the coronavirus has made large gatherings of people nearly impossible. We know that COVID-19 has affected black communities at a much higher rate than any other group, and we know …
Champaign Cypher Series and Champaign Showers teamed up for this rap battle competition, Verse4Verse Quarantine Tournament, which has been running for a few weeks now. This weekend marks the championship match up between Black Mage …
Popcorn, soda, and candy are now available for online order and curbside pick-up during select times at the Virginia Theatre. Curbside service is from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights, May 29th through …
The Champaign-Urbana Design Organization (CUDO) will be hosting a virtual send-off for its 2020 ABCU show on Saturday, May 30th, from 7 to 9 p.m. The Zoom reception will feature a special ABCU artist panel. Questions …
Japan House is launching a new online series, Japan House Shares, on May 31st at 4 p.m. The first installment will feature Omusubi, a Japanese snack. Director Jennifer Gunji-Ballsrud will share the food’s history, and …
Chambanamoms, Krannert Art Museum, the Urbana Arts and Culture Program, Museum of the Grand Prairie, and KOOP Adventure Play invited K-12 students to submit artwork and the stories behind their artwork during the month of …
Check out these social justice-themed coloring pages at the Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center. Pages are free, but you can always support the IMC here. Top image from the IMC’s Facebook page.
Pens to Lens, the annual filmmaking competition for local kids K-12, has announced that the 2020 festival will be presented digitially. For those looking for help getting their entries ready, Pens to Lens veteran Rachel …
Tomorrow, May 29th, CVS in Savoy will start offering free, contactless COVID-19 testing for those experiencing symptoms. A list of additional testing CVS testing sites nationwide is available here. You’ll need to register for a …
COVID-19 drive thru testing began on May 19th at Market Place Mall in Champaign, and in case you were curious on how the process works, there’s a video that showcases it so you can see. …
I love a good holiday, and National Burger Day is up there with Christmas for me. Here’s a list of our best 8 C-U burgers, ranked and a list of honorable burger mentions. If you’re not …
As an essential business, NuMed dispensary in Urbana has continued to provide services to their customers throughout this time of sheltering in place. Now, they are going a step beyond to support the community. They …
Last week, the Champaign County COVID-19 Relief Fund, established by Community Foundation of East Central Illinois and Champaign County United Way, received a $250,000 grant from the Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund. The money will be …
Broadway Food Hall is adding another food option beginning Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. El Paraiso, a Latin American restaurant, will be open for business from Wednesday through Saturday going forward. They are …
Dr. G’s Brainworks sells puzzles and games and coloring books and other brain activities, and if if you’re not sure what you want, the staff are willing to help. You can order online for curbside …
The Cinema Gallery has announced their plan to reopen on Friday, May 29th. Returning to the regular schedule of Wednesday through Saturdcay, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., they will be following IDPH recommendations, requiring face …
The Illini Union shared this fun fact on their social media pages yesterday and shared an aerial view photo. Apparently the original building, built in 1941, was specifically designed that way. Photo from Illini Union …
You can get your Esquire pineapple drink fix with their new pineapple slushie called “Not our pineapple margarita.” It looks so good. Esquire has a famously delicious pineapple margarita, but they cannot offer it right now …
Parkland College Community Education has seven online courses right now that are free to anyone, and could be a helpful addition to your career path. Some lean more toward personal development, while others are focused …
Chicago chef Stephanie Izard (Girl & the Goat, Little Goat Diner, Duck Duck Goat, Cabra) recently launched a new endeavor: Girl & the Goat-ceries, a meal kit service with local pick ups and national delivery. …
Sad news has been released by CU Woodshop Supply, stating that they will be permanently closing. Here’s the statement from their website: CU Woodshop Supply will be Closing its Business Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, …
Elective Reportage, a photo agency promoting local photojournalism and documentary photography, has announced that a new zine is coming soon. Learn more about them, and their upcoming publication, on Instagram. Top image: Black and white …
While supplies last, Siam Terrace is providing customers with masks for free when you order curbside pick-up or delivery. I reached out to Siam Terrace myself, and here’s what they said: With overwhelming support from …
Champaign County ReStore will be opening for limited hours beginning Tuesday, June 2nd. They are planning to be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Here’s what they had to say on …
Last Tuesday, I went to The Land Connection’s Tuesday Farmers’ Market in the parking lot of Busey Bank at the corner of Neil and University. The parking was free and easy to find. When I …
The future of events at Krannert Center is up in the air, as the University of Illinois continues to examine what the next year is going to look like. Director Mike Ross had this to …
As our region moves in to Phase 3 of the governor’s Restore Illinois plan on May 29th, which gives bars and restaurants the option to provide outdoor seating, the City of Champaign is working through …
It’s been almost a year since I sat down to talk with author and illustrator Matt Wiley about his book My Cat is Depressed. But I find myself rereading it a lot these days. Its …
As the nation continues to reel from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, I reached out to Sharva Hampton Campbell, host of this weekend’s Managing Grief and Loss Summit and author of the U.G.L.Y Project, …
The Champaign County RPC is launching the COVID-19 Relief Program to assist individual households most affected by this crisis. From the press release: The COVID-19 Relief Program aims to help low-income households maintain the basic …
Champaign Center Partnership shared this survey asking for your input about your readiness to re-enter the community as more businesses begin to open. The survey was put together by Champaign County Safe, the group of local organizations …
Governor Pritzker announced Wednesday that all of Illinois would be ready to move into Phase Three of his Restore Illinois plan. He also loosened some requirement on bars and restaurants, allowing them open outdoor seating …
This week Illini Football announced that it hired Ashton Washington as the program’s director of high school relations. Washington is the first African American woman to join the Illini Football staff. She most recently worked …
Community members, leaders, and educators are invited to join in a discussion about “solutions to address inequity in policies and community outcomes” on Friday, May 22nd from 12 to 1 p.m. The discussion will be …
REO Speedwagon is one of two musical artists to achieve massive — truly massive — success from Champaign-Urbana. The other is Alison Krauss. There are lots of bands and musicians who have done big big …
Just as the closing of pools and park programs was not unexpected, the cancellation of this annual event isn’t either. It’s sad and disappointing, but also understandable. Here is the press release: The Urbana Business …
Crane Alley has reopened with limited hours and menu for carryout. New hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. You can order online here; the limited menu does include beer and drink …
La Mixteca is a delicious Mexican place in Urbana. Right now, they are offering family packs for carryout. You can order the taco family pack which includes 14 tacos with your choice of protein (chicken, …
After temporarily closing the Champaign location to consolidate services to only six locations in Illinois, Planned Parenthood-Champaign Health Center will be open on Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can make an appointment …
On June 12th, Jupiter String Quartet will release their album Metamorphosis, featuring Beethoven’s Quartet Op. 131 and Ligeti’s Quartet No. 1 “Métamorphoses nocturnes.” The album was recorded at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts in March 2019. Liz Freivogel, …
Black Dog is serving up their signature barbecue goodness from their Champaign location with a limited menu. They also doing a different special each day. On Mondays, you can pick up their spicy, bacon-wrapped smoked …
As the school year and online school winds down this week, now comes a summer that is kind of a blank slate, with in person camps and experiences not a possibility. High school students that …
Wednesday, May 20th at 12 p.m., MTD will be hosting a virtual public hearing on proposed service changes for Fall 2020; changes that would go into effect August 16th. A video detailing the proposal will …
Leave it to the talented folks at Meanwhile…Letterpress to create the perfect pandemic postcards. Check out these punny chipboard cards and more on their Instagram. Top image: Photo of stack of “I’m Bored—Chip” postcards. Photo …
