From our BEST Arts of the decade feature: One of the truest bright spots of this past decade in the arts here was the emergence of Langston Allston as a prolific muralist in Champaign-Urbana. The list of …
From our BEST Culture of the decade feature: We should truly consider ourselves lucky to be graced with the presence of Jan and her husband here, as they walk through Urbana’s Market at the Square …
From our BEST Arts of the decade feature: It’s no exaggeration to say that our current arts scene would not exist without the advocacy of Kelly White, 40 North’s extraordinary Executive Director. In the years that …
From our BEST Music of the decade feature: It’s not just that Kamila Glowacki has performed in… count’ em — 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 — bands. It’s not just that her …
From our BEST Food + Drink of the decade feature: Over the course of ten years, Champaign and Urbana have seen a boom in restaurants. We have more, for sure, but I’d argue we also …
From our BEST Culture of the decade feature: Prairie Fruits Farm is my favorite place in all of Champaign-Urbana. There’s a magic to the farm that is especially present if you’re there on a summer evening. …
From our BEST Arts of the decade feature: Choosing a single representative play or musical as the “best” thing produced in what we can confidently call a busy and ever-expanding theatre community is nearly impossible …
I don’t even have the patience to construct a gingerbread house out of a kit, so this just blows my mind. Also I’m not a professional pastry chef, so that might figure in to my …
From our BEST new restaurants of the decade feature: When Maize Mexican Grill took over the little shack on First and Green in 2011, it was without much fanfare or anticipation. The restaurant, which previously …
ICYMI, there are some heated discussions going on about the futures of Garden Hills Elementary School and International Prep Academy. The gist? The idea has been floated to move IPA to the Garden Hills building …
Finals week is winding down, and soon the University of Illinois campus will clear out for a bit. Because of that, MTD will be reducing service beginning this Saturday, December 21st, and continuing through January …
Fleurish is a quality stop for flowers, for sure, but I love to go in and check out the other fun and funky things they have. And, I usually end up buying something. This time …
If you’re on the Twitter, you’ve probably seen this video multiple times in your feed: Here’s a good solution for Xmas gift wrapping pic.twitter.com/gBFOHMFeHV — Interesting Engineering (@IntEngineering) December 16, 2019 I watched it like …
I hate winter so much. The cold and the dark might as well be a Vulcan nerve pinch. Last night, when it felt like 2ºF, I met a friend for dinner at Everyday Kitchen. It …
Carrie’s takes up a full corner of Crossroads Corner Consignment’s north store, and you can find all sorts of vintage treasures there. I know that you are starting to panic about finding some of those …
We aren’t NYC, to be sure, but I’ve noticed a few fun holiday window displays around town. Getting a glare free photo isn’t the easiest of tasks, but you’ll get the idea. Here are some …
Kudos to Fresh Press Paper, the local maker of sustainable paper and paper products led by Illinois Art + Design faculty member Eric Benson, for nabbing a 2019 rebranding award from Graphic Design USA Magazine. …
There’s a new sushi and Thai restaurant opening in Champaign: Sushi Siam. The restaurant is located in the Old Farms Plaza, at Kirby and Mattis, just next to Talbot’s and TCBY. A peek through the …
Illinois Program for Research in the Humanities and the Creative Writing program are bringing a year’s worth of renowned writers to C-U for the Year of Creative Writers. From their announcement: “It’s a veritable feast …
The city council voted 9-0 last night to sign a letter of consent allowing The Refugee Center to continue their work resettling refugees in our area. Because of an executive order signed by Trump back …
The Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center is looking for their next executive director, and you can be a part of that process. This Thursday, December 19th, from 6 to 8 p.m., the candidates for the position …
Look at them! They are gorgeous. I bet they taste great, too. The entire container full of these beauties is only $6.99. If you want to gift me something, like, right now, these cookies are …
I don’t do the sweet coffee drinks that much anymore; it’s taken years of weaning myself off of sugar and flavoring and half and half and such. However, every once in a while, I make …
Fans of Steel Magnolias will be happy to know that Jennifer Goran will be directing a production of it scheduled to hit Parkland College’s black box theatre in March 2020. If you’re a fan who …
Today through Friday you can find Santa at CUPHD from 1 to 4 p.m. There will be free books about winter, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and more, McDonald’s ice cream cone gift certificates, free certificates for …
Coming in just under the wire, with recreational cannabis becoming legal in just a few week, NuMed is now the second local establishment that is licensed to sell it. Phoenix Botanical was granted a license …
Salad Meister, the fast-casual salad restaurant on Sixth Street near the University of Illinois campus, has closed. According to The News-Gazette, the restaurant could reopen “if somebody else wants to take over the business.” You …
Consider it an early New Year’s celebration. For $135 (inclusive of tax and gratuity), enjoy a five-course dinner with five champagne pairings. Dinner is Saturday, December 28th at 6:30 p.m., and reservations are required. Call …
If a restaurant is skilled at the social media, you will see lots of beautiful photos of the foods that they are offering on their menu. But I feel like you rarely get much a …
Champaign Center Partnership is offering up the first Hometown Holiday Shop & Stroll this Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. From the press release: “Over fifteen shops and cafes will be opening their doors in …
The Henry Luce Foundation, which according to its mission, “seeks to enrich public discourse by promoting innovative scholarship, cultivating new leaders, and fostering international understanding,” just awarded 28 grants adding up to $9 million dollars. …
From our BEST Music of the decade feature: Owner Jeff Brandt knows that this whole thing is never going to turn around. We won’t ever return to a golden era of this business model, and …
And it was damn good, too. Sometimes I am surprised by the internet foods that speak to me, and when I saw that sugar cookie doughnut I said, “Oh, I need that,” even though I …
From our BEST Music of the decade feature: If there’s one idea that sums up the last decade, it is the idea of progress. No artist that’s ever spent time in C-U as one …
If you have someone that you really want to impress with your gift giving abilities (of course this isn’t the meaning of it all…it’s the thought that counts and holiday spirit blah blah blah), here’s …
The Great Cover Up has announced they are adding a fifth night to their 2020 installment, which will be added on Thursday Febraury 13th. You can check out the initial lineup here. Here’s the …
One of the best parts of this time of year is revisiting all of your favorite holiday movies, and it’s even more fun to get to see them on the big screen. All next week, …
Fourteen students from the Parkland College Painting I and II classes will be showing their work at the Springer Cultural Center for the next month, with an opening reception the evening of December 19th. Stop …
From our BEST Food + Drink of the decade feature: Look, when you roast the beans in house, and your sole intention each day is to pour coffee with expertise and love, you are probably …
Indeed, the holidays are a time to toast family and friends, share good cheer with those we love. But what becomes of a once jovial season when you lose the people you used to share …
Read a few of these bios and you’ll wonder what, exactly, you’ve been doing with your life. Here are the exceptional individuals we can claim as our own: Manu Edakara: Program Director of iVenture Accelerator …
If you’ve ever considered applying for an Urbana arts grant, here’s your chance to get some advice from an expert. Stop by the Starbucks on Vine Street in Urbana on January 6th anytime from 9 …
Did you see Watson’s new, seasonal alcoholic slushie? It’s called Cindy Lou’s Booze, and it’s a white chocolate peppermint concoction made with peppermint vodka and creme de menthe ($9). It’s topped with whipped cream and …
From our BEST Food + Drink of the decade feature: This decade has seen the rise of craft breweries nationwide, as well as right here in C-U, and while there are quality brews to be …
The City of Urbana’s Arts and Culture Program and the Urbana Free Library are hosting the opening reception for The Passions Project, an Artist of the Corridor Exhibition on display December 2019 – January 2020. …
Yesterday, CU Schools Foundation hosted a “Chopped Challenge” with students from Urbana High School and Edison Middle School vying for the title of best dish. The students utilized locally-grown ingredients and had to include the …
There’s a bit of a tight turnaround this year between Thanksgiving and Christmas, so maybe you still have a bit of decorating to do. Yesterday, I took spin around the North Store of Crossroads Corner …
The Urbana Park District and Champaign County Camera Club are hosting their 19th annual Print Competition at Lincoln Square Mall. It’s an opportunity for amateur photographers to have their photos publically exhibited and professionally judged. …
From our BEST Culture of the decade feature: I am simply unthrilled by the sale of The News-Gazette, like many of you. I understand that they ended up having no choice, but there was a reason …
