It’s already been a wild primary season, and it’s just getting started, so let’s circle up, drink some drinks, and watch the returns on Super Tuesday. No matter who your candidate is, we’re all in …
Yesterday, Jess had us all thinking about breakfast sammies; here’s one from Espresso Royale for your consideration. I got this one from the store on Neil Street, but they are available at all. First of …
American Football are a highly influential midwest emo band, born right here in Urbana, and have lived as Polyvinyl Records’ darling for all time. Vulture issued their list of “100 Greatest Emo Songs of All Time”, …
Kohinoor, the Downtown Champaign Indian restaurant, turns three tomorrow, February 14th. To celebrate, the restaurant is offering some sort of special dessert. Be sure to consider Kohinoor for your Valentine’s Day plans. If you need …
You can now access the Champaign Unit 4 school district’s annual report via their website. It’s available in English, French, and Spanish. Print copies will be available in libraries and community centers, and they can …
If you’re a regular traveler and haven’t enrolled in TSA Precheck yet, you will have another opportunity to do so in April at Willard Airport. Enrollment at the airport will be from April 6-10. It’s …
This week I’ve had breakfast sandwiches on my mind. I’ve been seriously craving a BEC on an NYC everything bagel. It had me thinking back to the article I wrote last year about breakfast sandwich …
A couple of weeks ago, we told you about a new curling club taking root in Champaign. Did you know that there is also a speedskating club that meets weekly at the U of I …
If you’re looking for a unique gesture for a special someone (or yourself!) this week, how about a song on the Altgeld chimes played just for them? February 13-15 the ringers will be doing a …
I’ve always thought of Collective Pour as just a craft beer bar, which is certainly is — just look at the wall length row of taps behind the bar. However, I am just learning that they …
This will be the 12th year for the foodbank’s major fundraiser. They’ve set a goal to raise $130,000, which is the equivalent of 650,000 meals for those in Champaign County who are experiencing food insecurity. …
No, we are not Vermont, but we do have a sugar maple grove just a short ways down the road at Homer Lake Forest Preserve. On February 22nd or 29th, you can learn all about …
Cafe Kopi is beloved for good reason. The food is great, the service is lovely, and the space is large enough that you’re not crammed in on top of other people trying to “do work.” …
Zoe Willott’s indie pop project zzo has released a new EP, Temporary Bliss, which you can stream now. Here are two opportunities in the near future to see zzo perform: Friday, February 21st — Rose Bowl …
The date for this year’s Hogchute Collective summer show at Kalyx Center in Monticello, Hogchute Opry, has been announced via their Instagram: Saturday, June 6th. We’ve covered the show pretty extensively over the years, but …
The University of Illinois School of Social Work is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, and they are hosting a monthly Social Justice Film Series in honor of that milestone. This month the featured film …
On February 29th and March 7th, from 2-4 p.m. at Douglass Branch Library, Tafi Brown and Isis Rose are hosting Champaign-Urbana’s first ever “Know Your Rights” workshop for black birthing people. This workshop will prepare …
8 to Create, you know that great annual event featuring 8 artists creating 8 pieces of work live and in 8 real-time hours, has announced the line-up for its upcoming 6th annual event on March …
This marvelous local festival, that we here at Smile Politely named best new festival of the decade, will be returning for a sixth year on Saturday, August 29th from 1 to 9 p.m. at Japan …
Valentine’s Day is Friday, and if you’re interested in celebrating this (Hallmark) holiday, how are you doing it? Are you ordering a dozen Valentine’s Day-themed doughnuts from Ye Olde? Are you getting a bunch of …
Illinois History and Lincoln Collections, located in the Main Library, is hosting a little celebration for Abraham Lincoln on his birthday, February 12th. From 3-5 p.m. you can stop by the library for some refreshments, …
Queering Faith is an annual event hosted by the UCC Campus Ministry UIUC and Community United Church of Christ, along with Uniting Pride and the University YMCA. This year’s event, happening February 21st at 7:30 …
Quality will host a Big Thorn Farm tap takeover on Thursday, February 13th, from 5 to 10 p.m. Here are the brews on tap: Sassafras Vanilla Cream Ale Comet-Copper Wheat Pie Mad Coffee Porter Polar …
Her Creative Collective, Mahoment’s thriving new arts and wellness center, has announced a call for poetry as a part of their upcoming Boneyards Arts Festival 2020 event. Submissions are due on February 29th. Find out …
I love The Idea Store, because while they have a great selection of items that you know you can find there (school supplies, sewing and craft items, jewelry, and much more) but there’s also a …
Illinois Wheelchair Basketball is hosting their one and only home tournament on February 14th and 15th at the ARC. Both the men’s and women’s teams will compete multiple times throughout the weekend. If you go …
The first of a series of plant swapping events is happening at the Urbana Free Library on February 23rd from 2 to 4 p.m. This one will be focused on house plants. From the event …
If not, you do now. There are three slushies on the menu: rum twister, peaches ‘n creme, and strawberry Pimm’s cup. The other night I opted for the strawberry Pimm’s cup ($8): Tito’s vodka, Pimm’s …
Maybe, doing such a thing will summon back that spring-like weather we enjoyed on Sunday. The snow is pretty and all, and I know that snow is supposed to happen in February, but I’m ready …
It’s pretty cute, right? I ordered the hibiscus rose flavor ($5.02 with tax), and it was hot and fruity and delightful. The tea is available for dining in (as you see above), or to go …
It’s all over the news, every day, and it’s only natural to feel a little panicky. However, we have an amazing information provider in C-U in the Champaign-Urbana Health District. It’s their job to know …
Professor Bob Rauber and a group of University of Illinois graduate students are working on a NASA project called IMPACTS (Investigation of Microphysics and Precipitation for Atlantic Coast-Threatening Snowstorms). The project studies winter storms in …
The wine bar Crudo, located at 116 N Walnut in Downtown Champaign, closed recently, and with that announcement came the news that there would be a new arcade bar going in its place. Now, news …
J Gumbo’s, the Cajun/Creole fast-casual restaurant on Gregory Street in Urbana, permanently closed on January 31st. Top image: Two J Gumbo’s frequent visitor meal punch cards on a black table. The top card has …
We’re long-time fans of Fresh Press Paper, CU’s sustainable paper studio. And now it’s your turn to check out the studio and the papermaking process with a series of workshops starting with an introductory class this …
Each semester the University YMCA hosts a series of lunchtime speaker series centered around a particular theme. This spring, the theme is Praxis and the Power of Public Learning. From the press release: “Paulo Freire …
Damian Duffy, iSchool lecturer and Eisner Award winning author of the #1 New York Times bestselling graphic novel adaptation of Kindred, has completed his next graphic novel adaptation, Parable of the Sower. A brief description of the novel, …
If you’re not someone who’s into the world of science fiction and fantasy, you may not be aware that we are home to the editors of the award winning Uncanny magazine. Lynne M. Thomas and …
Okay so Iowa was a mess. Thankfully, here in Illinois, we have a lot more options for making our voices heard than showing up in a school gym for two hours: It’s exciting we live …
As someone who grew up in Central Illinois in the eighties, I had a lot of experience with Jumer Hotels. I lived in Bloomington-Normal, and had family in Peoria and Galesburg, all of which had …
This, of course, is wonderful and brilliant. Parents of kids ages 4-12 years can drop them off for an evening of fun, where they will be fed pizza, while they go out and enjoy a …
40 North is ready for their next exhibition in their 40 Point One space at 1300 S. Neil Street. It’s called DOUBLE TAKE, and here is the description from the event page: This special exhibition …
A divisive issue, no doubt! I’m sure we all prefer our family recipes; I know I do. Mac and cheese is so very personal because there are so many ways to make it. Baked or …
Japan House is hosting a couples Wagashi workshop on Valentine’s Day, if you’re looking for something unique to do with your significant other. There are two opportunities, one at 4 p.m. and one at 5:30 …
Local percussionist and educator, Ian Shepherd, is now accepting students at their new studio space, The Blue Room Percussion Studio. Blue Room will be accepting students of all skill levels for lessons in drum kit …
City of Urbana Poet Laureate Will Reger is challenging local poets to find inspiration in Urbana murals. The winning poems will be posted alongside the murals that inspired them. Entries are due by February 21st. …
Visit Champaign County Restaurant Week comes to close this weekend, and we want to know: What have been your favorite meals, dishes, or experiences? If you haven’t participated yet, no worries. The event runs through …
Approximately once a month, Champaign County Humane Society’s Humane Educator and Investigator April Faulkner visits area nursing homes with some of the animals from the shelter. They often visits patients in memory care units, and …
This will be an opportunity for incoming students to combine various disciplines across the college into a single program. The degree will incorporate the design, architecture, landscape architecture, and urban and regional planning. According to the …
