SPlog

I spotted this Instagram post from Fleurish the other day, and just seeing it brought a smile to my face. What better time to treat yourself (or someone else) to some day-brightening flowers then during …

Art can open minds, create conversation, and spark heated debate. And thanks to the good folks at Art Coop, it can help support local shelter pets. Now in it’s ninth year (one for each of …

Rick’s Bakery has opened in Downtown Urbana, in the space formerly occupied by Mirabelle. It was a first unclear whether or not the Philo Road loaction would remain open, but, alas, it has been permanently …

November 16th from 5 to 7 p.m. will be one of only two opportunities for public viewing before the manuscript is sent off for preservation. From the Facebook event: Join The Rare Book & Manuscript …

“Our goal is to reshape C-U nightlife,” says owner Dario Vullo. This will be the second burlesque show they’ve hosted, and they are hoping to make this a monthly occurrence. This Saturday will feature two …

Julie posted about Hessel Park late last week, and it inspired me to go check out Champaign Urbana History today. Mike Moran always comes through in the clutch in that Facebook group, and he posted …

University of Illinois MC Ausar just released his first new track of 2018, “Familiar”. The move comes at an auspicious time for Ausar, who has had a quieter year content-wise, but has played a lot of …

Thanksgiving food is my favorite. It’s warm and comforting and generally full of carbs and it makes me happy. Also, one of the best parts about Thanksgiving is eating Thankgiving leftovers.  This week Aroma Café …

Last week, Pour Bros. began a weekly trivia night. It’s free, it’ll be on Thursday nights at 7 p.m., and you can be a team of anywhere from 1 to 8 players.  This week will …

Post rock/ambient outfit Take Care are back with a new self-titled record, due out December 14th on Heirship Records. The double LP will be the final release on the Heirship label, and coincide with the …

On Thursday, November 22nd, members and friends of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church will gather to assemble, package and deliver turkey sandwich lunches to people throughout Champaign-Urbana who are stuck working on Thanksgiving Day. Operation Turkey …

The saga continues with Urbana’s Landmark Hotel. After the recent sale of the hotel at $1.3M took place back in September, the initial winning bidder bowed out, and then, the second highest bidder entered into …

Douglas Rain, the voice of the fictional computer HAL 9000 in Stanley Kubrick’s legendary 2001: A Space Odyssey, has died at the age of 90. The HAL 9000 story begins here in Champaign-Urbana, as it was “born” in …

Common Ground Food Co-op will now sell sustainable seafood. Get to the store early on Fridays to get some of the limited amount and selection. From the email announcement: Here’s how it works. Every Friday, …

Man of many talents Nick Offerman will return to C-U the first week of December. Here’s the official announcement from JH: Humorist Nick Offerman returns to the site of his youthful matriculation with a collection …

For the more classically inclined, renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman and pianist Rohan De Silva are set to perform at the Krannert Center on Saturday night. Perlman, a winner of the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award for …

The park was originally outside the city limits of Champaign, and was part of a planned real estate development by Fred Hessel called Highland Place, and was initially supposed to have a lagoon for boating …

Elsinore is back with a new single and visual, titled simply, “O”. The Police and David Bowie-influenced pop sounds of Elsinore supply some nice late fall-time, first-snow musical accompaniment. The track comes as a taste …

Dynamic quintet Deafheaven is descending upon Canopy tonight for a performance that is sure to crack some heads. Along with DIIV, Brooklyn native Zachary Cole Smith’s band, the two acts should make for an interesting …

Real talk. If you like snow and winter more than fall, you’re lying to yourself. Some of us (me) are having trouble coping with the recent snowfall and fact that autumn is ending faster than …

There’s a new YouTube Original series, Champaign ILL, that is coming out December 12th on YouTube Premium. The show stars Adam Pally, who came to fame in Happy Endings as Max Blum, Sam Richardson from the …

It’s soup and hot sandwich weather, and Cafe Kopi has excellent options for both. I had a meeting there yesterday, and had the tomato bisque with the open-faced turkey and brie sandwich ($9). The thing …

Last night Champaign-Urbana citizens took part in a nationwide protest calling for the protection of special counsel Robert Mueller’s probe into possible collusion between President Donald Trump’s campaign and Russia — aka Trump’s dirty laundry. …

Each year, Common Ground Co-op goes all out for the Thanksgiving holiday — it’s a great place to procure all of your turkey day dinner needs. Here’s what they have to offer:  Fresh local turkeys from …

The Illini Student Musicals production of Mamma Mia! is the perfect antedote to midterm elections week. After all the Winner Takes It All, and Gimme, Gimme, Gimme!, it’s time for an SOS to your inner Dancing …

Don’t get caught unawares as you are driving through Downtown Champaign. From the City of Champaign Facebook page: “Drivers in and thru Downtown Champaign should be aware of the newly activated traffic signals located at the …

Tonight at City Center, 40 North will present its 14th annual ACE Awards, which highlight amazing contributions from different people in the different sectors of our arts community. It takes place at City Center in Champaign.  You …

The Museums at the Crossroads Consortium is a local collaboration of museums that have been working together since 1996. From their press release: “Brought together originally for a Museums in the Classroom grant, the organization …

One of the U of I Research Park‘s biggest and best events is happening today at the iHotel — Big Data Summit 2018. Though registration is closed, if you’re still interested in seeing if you …

This latest Parkland theater production, directed by Mathew Green, opens tonight at the Harold and Jean Miner Theatre. Here are the details from the press release: When their latest Broadway musical closes after the murder …

Civil liberties are not just at the heart of current political debate—they are also front and center in the Urbana High School Theater’s fall musical, Urinetown. The following content has been shared directly from the …

If ya need a little assistance with your baked item needs this Thanksgiving, Pekara has you covered. Orders can be placed in person or over the phone at either location (see contact info below), just …

Visit Champaign County has announced that Champaign County Restaurant Week 2019 will take place Friday, January 25th through Saturday, Februrary 2nd.  Last year’s event was well attended and enjoyed by attendees. It’s a fun way to …

Good Morning Illini, a weekly morning show put on by students that airs on Fridays, has begun a weekly series showcasing area artists. The show selected U of I rapper IsaiahG for the segment last …

Chesney, who hasn’t been to town since 2005, has included Champaign on his recently announced Song for the Saints 2019 Tour.  There are no details yet, but you can check back on the State Farm …

Have you had a meal at Intermezzo Cafe in the Krannert Center for Performing Arts? It’s a solid breakfast or lunch option offering a variety of soups and sandwiches, at least one daily special, and …

Incumbent Republican Representative Rodney Davis has defeated Betsy Dirksen Londrigan in the race for the 13th District Congressional seat. Though Londrigan hasn’t conceded, multiple sources have confirmed 100% of the votes are in — New York …

Darlene Kloeppel has defeated Gordy Hulten in the race for Champaign County Executive. Check out the full listing of races at our Midterm Election article for the rest of the updates for other races.

Democrat Aaron Ammons has won the race for Champaign County Clerk, as 100% of the precincts are in vs. Matt Grandone. Follow along here for more information about the election overall.

Kwame Raoul has defeated Erika Harold in the race for Attorney General of Illinois. Harold has a long history and connections to Champaign-Urbana. Check out other race results here. Erika Harold is conceding to Kwame …

Democrat J.B. Pritzker has defeated incumbent Governor Bruce Rauner. Rauner has conceded the race to Prizker.  Stay tuned for more details about the rest of the races at our Midterm Election results article.

If you’d rather rely on a more local news source to give you the scoop on what’s happening tonight, then WILL has you covered. You can find NPR/Illinois Newsroom/The 21st coverage on WILL-AM 580 or …

The library will be hosting a lecture/reception on November 28th from 4 to 6 p.m. that provides insight into an upcoming Krannert Center production: No Blue Memories: The Life of Gwendolyn Brooks. From the press release: Both …

Today is Election Day. Here’s a shortcut to help if you’re heading to the polls today. U of I alum and universally beloved actor Nick Offerman has endorsed Betsy Dirksen Londrigan in the 13th vs. …

Oh, hey there, Election Day. There’s not much else we can say about voting, except, please do so. (Here’s a run down of our recent coverage.) Some local food and drink establishments are interested in …

If you are planning to vote on Tuesday (which of course you should unless you’ve already voted), MTD is ready to help get you there. They will be offering free rides to polling places tomorrow. …

It seems that voting at the Illini Union is up in this midterm year, rivaling the 2016 early voting turnout and well out pacing the total 2014 midterm turnout. Here’s what’s happening today: The line …

Election Day is tomorrow, Tuesday, November 6th, and there’s a lot happening this time around. Here’s an overview if you haven’t cast your ballot yet: General Election Guides: Here’s a somewhat angry, slightly off the …