SPlog

Though the semester is over, that doesn’t mean the University shuts down. One of the campus entities that remains open to the public throughout the summer is Krannert Art Museum, and what a great time …

The Land Connection Champaign Farmers’ Market launched its 5th year of setting up shop in downtown Champaign yesterday. Vendors will gather in the parking lot at Neil and Washington every Tuesday 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. …

Once again the Illini Union is hosting its Summer Quad Cinema Series, and it starts this week. They will have a free movie every Thursday from May 16th to August 24th (no movie on July 4th), …

It’s important to note that it is JUST the resale shop closing. All other Courage Connection services will remain in place. From the press release: Connections, located in Lincoln Square, has been the resale store …

Condiments and sauces are important. They often act as the literal glue bring all of a dish’s components together and offer the missing flavor or acid that allows the main ingredients to shine.  Other times, …

CATALYZE is a professional networking event put together by Champaign County EDC and the University of Illinois Research Park, and their spring installment of the event is next week. Check out the full description below. …

Even if this video is totally fake, it is still funny and worthy of discussion as finals have come and gone at the University of Illinois.  A lot of us have been there: The dreaded …

The Community Coalition, a “System of Care Network that includes: local government; law enforcement; juvenile justice; behavioral health; education; child welfare; and community based service providers” announced last week that they were implementing neighborhood forums …

Ben Grosser is a professor at the U of I, and his recent supercut of Facebook overlord Mark Zuckerberg has been circulating quite a bit. I noticed it published in Fast Company‘s article about the video, …

The City of Champaign and Champaign Park District are partnering again this summer to host three neighborhood block parties.  Each event is free and open to the public, and will include games, face painting, inflatables, …

Outdoor drinking season is just about here, and Triptych is ready with a new pergola: It looks so beatutiful and inviting. See you there?   Triptych 1703 Woodfield Dr Savoy M-W 3 to 10 p.m. …

Part of Illinois Public Media’s Reel Midwest film series, The Gun Shop is a behind-the-scenes look at a gun shop in Michigan where, from the film’s description, “customers come to get advice, handle the weapons, …

Atlas Obscura, a website that highlights unique and awe inspiring places and foods and stories, gave a nod to Altgeld’s Math Library on their list of “14 of the World’s Most Charming Libraries.” Curated from …

You’re likely familiar with Cheese & Crackers’ fresh fish list; it’s a fantastic way to get fresh seafood in the middle of this corn field we call home. This week is the first opportunity to …

If you are a regular MTD rider, and your rides typically take you through campus, be aware of reduced summer routes and changes due to Phase 4 of the MCORE Project, which will be ramping …

Girls Pint Out is a national organization that helps connect beer drinking women: Through social media, blog posts, and local events hosted by chapters, Girls Pint Out offers a forum for discussion, education, and fun. …

Beer garden season is upon us, and Pour Bros. Craft Taproom is ready to open their newly created Artist Alley, a beer and music garden.  They’ve got six months worth of live music lined up …

Carly Beth, a poppy, punky, girl-power-inspired group comprised of Kamila Glowacki, Isabel Skidmore, and Christine Pallon, has released their debut demo. The three artists have been longtime collaborators on several different local projects (think Nectar …

Belle and Beast will be making their way to Parkland College’s Jean & Harold Miner Theatre this June thanks to the Champaign-Urbana Theatre Company (CUTC).  Beauty and the Beast, directed by Whitney Havice, will run …

Pizzeria Antica makes some of my favorite pizza in town. I’m a huge fan of the pizza bianca: It’s a white pizza with fresh mozzarella, chèvre, ricotta, and pecorino ($16). Sure, it’s basically a fancy Italian …

In honor of this University of Illinois graduation weekend, here are some items from the University of Illinois Library’s Mapping History Project. The above photo is not the first commencement, it’s from 1915. But here …

If you’ve ever wanted to participate in a build for Habitat for Humanity, this Saturday is a good opportunity. Habitat of Champaign County is in need of a few more volunteers for the upcoming build …

This is kind of awesome.  We talk about public art quite a bit here at SP, but I love the idea of public science.    Photo from Orpheum Children’s Science Museum

The celebration of 50 years of Krannert Center for the Performing Arts continues into 2019-2020 with their 50th season of “inventive commissioning projects and new works, cherished familiar faces and compelling newcomers, and innovative collaborations …

Urbana’s Rose Bowl Tavern will host The Red Herring for a recurring happy hour pop-up on Thursdays in June. But you can stop by between 5 and 6:30 p.m. this Thursday, May 9th, when the Red …

It happens every year. Summer encroaches and I start to look at everything in my house with a “Do I realllly need this” glance, and I start in on the all-the-rooms-and-closets-I’m-going-to-organize list. Hosting my own …

Hogchute‘s summer installment, Hogchute Opry at Kalyx Center in Monticello, will take place on June 1st. They’ve announced their lineup, which you can see below via their Instagram. The Fights (which appears to be a …

Grilling season is just about here, if the rain ever lets up, and one of my favorite places to grab grilling meat is at the U of I’s Meat Science Lab. No, it’s not some …

Suburban Express, the shuttle/bus company owned and operated by Dennis Toeppen, will soon close as per this report in The News-Gazette. After a long running legal battle surrounding Toeppen’s antics — which you can read more about here …

This past Saturday, a “rally” in support of President Trump took place on North Prospect in Champaign, and our Editor Steve Pratten went and caught the action. Rally organizer Mark Thompson discussed his efforts with Pratten, …

The Illini Union is offering free graduation photos on the Quad this Thursday and Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. All you need is yourself and your cap and gown. Now, the weather is not …

Orpheum Children’s Science Museum is hosting this event as part of a national celebration led by Arizona State University, in collaboration with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).  From the Facebook event:  The Astronomy …

U of I graduation is this weekend, marking a slowdown of the pace of life on campus. We talk a lot about various ways to take advantage of this situation, and you should include doing …

Did you know that Jupiter’s offers half price pool and large pizzas every Tuesday at both locations? It’s a deal that my household often takes advantage of, especially if we’re looking for an opportunity to …

Shakespeare fans rejoice. The Celebration Company at the Station Theatre’s next show will be The Taming of the Shrew. Performances will run June 6th through 22nd.  More details and ticket information can be found at …

The event, which is open to the public (and all ages*) is from 7:30 to 10 p.m. in the Harold and Jean Miner Theatre. Doors open at 7 p.m, and there will be a meet …

On Sunday, the Champaign County Humane Society and Triptych Brewery partnered to hold the annual Mutt Strut fundraiser. The event included activities & contest for dogs and beer & foodtrucks for their masters. The fundraiser …

Museum of the Grand Prairie has announced a new exhibit, that will take the place of the Children’s Discovery Area on the lower level. Freida Mumm’s Discovering Home is an interactive exhibit centered around the idea …

Judging by all of the plant sales this weekend, it must officially be gardening season. And that means free tomato plants at First Federal! Today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., you can visit either …

The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and the patio at Maize is now open.  Let’s us all rejoice. Photo from Facebook

On May 16, 1969, an influential music “happening” did in fact happen, right here in C-U at the Assembly Hall. Called HPSCHD (a shortening of “harpsichord”), the project was commissioned by a Swiss harpsichordist who wanted …

Espresso Royale‘s location on Daniel and Sixth Street is closing on May 17th, per District Manager Doug McCarver. The coffee shop has been open at this location since 1991, and this location will be demolished …

Graduation is just around the corner; have you spent the last year(s) writing a thesis? That stack of paper can make you some money right now: Bring it to Seven Saints, hang it up, ring …

Here’s an opportunity to add some efficiency to your flying process. Willard Airport will be hosting the enrollment event June 3-7, with appointments from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. From the …

The potato is versatile vegetable, and it is the main ingredient in some of my favorite appetizers and side dishes. The humble French fry is always a winner, but I am also a big fan …

Dr. Holly Tuten, a researcher at the U of I’s Prairie Research Institute, wants you to send her your ticks. Yes, you read that right. For science, of course! Apparently, tick season is going to …

The local chapter of Showing up for Racial Justice is hosting this workshop on Saturday, May 11th from 2-4 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Urbana-Champaign in their Fellowship Hall (Wheelchair accessible via elevette at …

Set sail for fun on the water! Development Boats Inc, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation, in cooperation with the Clinton Lake Sailing Association and US Sailing First Sail, is offering a free introductory sailing lesson for …