SPlog

Last year, the Champaign Park District and Human Kinetics announced they were partnering to build a community center on the north side at Human Kinetics park. The park district website has some renderings of what …

Bloomington-Normal’s Epiphany Farms will open a speakeasy called Bakery and Pickle in Downtown Bloomington on September 5th. Bakery and Pickle is a cozy marketplace located in historic downtown Bloomington, IL. Push beyond the fresh bread and …

From Unit 4 and the City of Champaign: Sympathies Extended to Families and Students Impacted by Student’s Tragic Death Champaign Unit 4 School District and the City of Champaign extend their heartfelt condolences to the …

The planetarium has been closed for the month of August, and now they are ready to reopen with a new “full dome” show, “Experience the Aurora.” From planetarium director David Leake: “Winner of two Telly Awards …

Per their post on Facebook and their event page: Pour Bros Craft Taproom is opening officially on Saturday, September 1st at 12 p.m. They’ll be open until 2 a.m. and have live music as well. …

The annual fundraising event for Champaign County Humane Society — appropriately titled the Fur Ball — takes place this year on Friday, October 5th at 5:30 p.m. at the iHotel. There are tons of auction items, …

Staghorn has announced a two week tour in Europe, which begins in a couple of weeks, in support of their new record Wormwood III. Read our interview with the band here, and check out the full slate …

Beginning August 31st, if you are driving on I-74 between I-57 and Cunningham Avenue, be aware that the speed limit will now be 60 rather than 70 mph. From the Illinois Department of Transportation: “IDOT …

One of C-U’s newest imports, rapper Ausar, made an appearance on Wyclef Jean’s Twitter today — and apparently, Ausar will be featured on Jean’s forthcoming mixtape, Wyclef Goes Back To School on September 6th.  Jean came …

… on the chalkboard wall in the bathroom at Bentley’s. That’s how. Presumably, this is the men’s room, as I know what the men’s room looks like there, but it could be the women’s restroom? …

The Plan our Plaza team has taken input from the community and come up with a concept plan. Here is their overview: “The concept design replaces a portion of the parking through parallel parking on …

The Daily Meal has published a gallery of the “50 Best Burritos in America,” and our very own Maize is number 11.  We are all very well aware that we have delicious things in C-U, but …

Allerton is definitely one of the more beautiful places to spend your time in this area, and this particular weekend has a lot to offer. This will be the second year for the festival, and …

On September 30th, Triptych is releasing its märzen lager at the new taproom location (across the street from the current location), and is celebrating with sausage.  Consider this an early Oktoberfest celebration, of sorts. Triptych …

Sometimes Chicago’s Best, a show which seeks out and highlights favorite Chicago-area eating establishments, goes on the road to find places beyond the Chicagoland area. A couple of weeks ago, they were here in C-U …

Through a program called Illinois Committment, beginning in 2019, the university will “provide financial awards to cover the tuition and campus fees for in-state students whose family income is less than $61,000, the current median …

It’s no fun to sign yourself up for a fitness class, then realize after one class that it is sooo not your jam. At the beginning of each season, Urbana Park District offers a full …

If you are friends with people who have school aged children, no doubt your social media feeds have been bombarded with photos of kids standing on porches in their back to school best, holding those …

There’s so much to love about Urbana in autumn. Carle Park. A walk in Meadowbrook. A day fishing off the dock at Crystal Lake. The sounds of the Illini Marching band off in the distance. …

You have until September 1st to try these out. I feel like that cannoli poke cake is definitely going to be worth the visit. 

The 14th annual Innovation Celebration by the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation has been announced: March 29th, 2019 at Parkland College. The event is free and open to the public. Innovation Celebration is an annual event …

First up for the fall season is The Fall of the House of Usher: “The Fall of the House of Usher is Poe’s classic tale of the end of a long and aristocratic bloodline, as its …

Defy Gravity Pole Fitness & Aerial Arts Studio is offering an opportunity to come check out the studio and see what they’re all about this Sunday, August 26th, from 5 to 7 p.m. From the …

Know an individual or organization that has made an impact on the local arts community this year? Nominate them for a 40 North 2018 Ace Award. Here are the categories from the nominating form: Advocate …

Krannert Center for the Performing Arts will celebrate 50 years of existence in 2019, and they have so much planned that the celebrating will actually extend over two full seasons. The kick-off to this will …

This will be the 3rd and final Farm Dreams Workshop of the year, and it will be happening September 10th from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. These workshops are designed to provide an insight into small …

Avionics has some new menu items for the new school year. (You can read our review here.) Check them out:   Good news everyone! We have some new menu items for the start of the …

Motes released their new record Crash the Day earlier this year — read our interview with the band, and our review of the record — and they’re going to be releasing a new video for their track …

Betsy’s Bistro, currently known as a food truck, will run the cafeteria space in Parkland College’s Student Union beginning September 10th. There will be hot food made ready-to-order, and prices will range from $3 to …

Rabbi Benjamin Frankel founded The Hillel Foundation in 1923 at the University of Illinois, and it is has since spread to campuses across the U.S. and internationally, serving 200,000 Jewish students on 550 campuses. Now …

Mayor Deb Feinen has responded to feedback from residents who would like to be able to enjoy a beverage out and about while taking in events such as Friday Night Live. For this final installment, …

Common Ground Food Co-op is now selling take and bake pizzas. They’re the same types of pizza you can order from the deli, but you’ll cook them at home. Find them in the freezer near …

The owners of Radio Maria are ready to retire (at least according to the listing), and have put the restaurant up for sale. Interested in owning and running a restaurant? It’s definitely in an excellent …

The Red Herring‘s popular Wednesday night vegan fusion dinner resumes this week. All of the students aren’t back yet, so if you’re looking to get on to campus a little more easily, now’s the time …

According to TripAdvisor reviews that is. This weekend USA Today published TripAdvisor’s best burger in each state based on customer reviews. Our very own Farren’s was the winner for Illinois, a conclusion I’m sure this …

A few weeks ago, C-U’s Ja’Naea Modest’s story went viral after she attended a job interview during her lunch break, and was caught on camera by WCIA at the interview. This week, she’s holding an …

Yes it’s only August, and yes the kids just went back to school, but preparations for CU Ballet‘s annual performance of The Nutcracker are well underway. Though the show does not makes it’s appearance at …

And you should. There are those movies that are just meant to be consumed on the big screen, and this surely is one of them. I have not had this experience — my only viewing of …

Our Smile Politely team is looking for writers in all areas: Arts, Culture, Food & Drink, and Music. You do not need to be a professional writer, but please take the time to read through …

HUM is hard at work on their much-anticipated new record, but in the meantime, lead singer Matt Talbott will embark on his first ever solo tour this fall/winter. He’ll be doing living room shows via …

Yeah, it’s true. Find the truck at the Pygmalion Festival next month. Photos courtesy of Maize

The U of I Community Credit Union has a scholarship program that it offers annually to local students looking to attend a college or university in Illinois. They award up to $1000 to selected students. …

Despite erroneously calling it a soft opening, Collective Pour in Downtown Champaign is now simply just open. (Because so many businesses do this, please allow me this PSA. A soft opening is when you open a business and …

If you weren’t aware, Nando Milano originated in Chicago, before owner Dario Vullo and his brother Alessio, executive chef, opened a second location here in Champaign. Now the Chicago location is set to be featured …

It may be 90 degrees outside, but school started for many today, and fall is nipping at our heels. If you’re ready to get that fall vibe happening in your house (well hello apple spice …

This year’s calendar kicks off soon, with the faculty exhibition beginning next week. From the press release: This year promises to be an exciting exhibition season. Kicking off the fall semester is our annual Art …

Sustainable gardening. Does it sound like it would take a lot of time and money? Ironically, however, it does not take any more time than chemical-laden lawn and garden care. And it’s very cost-effective. Plus, …

The Champaign County History Museum has announced a contest to name its new mascot. The contest runs through August 18th, and you can vote online, at the museum, or at Taste of C-U this weekend. Check …