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Let’s be honest. This world is full of a lot of depressing sh*t. But there are a few people out there trying to make it easier for us all by spreading kindness and positivity throughout …

Unless you live under a rock, you know that the midterm elections are pretty important this year. And you know who’s turning out at the polls? Young people.    A group of Centennial High schoolers …

Tom Ackerman’s ongoing series, A Building, A Feeling, A Latrine, is one of my favorite columns we publish here at Smile Politely. His latest installment was published this morning, and you should read it. While …

Now that Dublin’s Pub/O’Neil whatever it was called is closed, Sun Singer has become the home of the Original DeLuxe Fish Sandwich. (Dublin’s was making them earlier this year.) You can get this fish sammie at …

Mr. Eggwards, the controversial and much hated / revered sculpture perched next to Esquire Lounge in Downtown Champaign, is back and looking better than ever. He was subject to many  car keys, belt buckles, sharpies, …

Larry Kanfer’s photography gallery has been around for some time, and there’s a collection of his on display called Off the Beaten Path: Ireland, and you can check it out now until next Saturday, November 3rd. …

I don’t usually celebrate the flavors of fall, but something in me is either fixed or broken, and this season it’s been different. I’ve been drawn to pumpkins and apples.  Today I voted early, and …

Champaign Outdoors had their Grand Opening celebration this weekend, though they opened to the public this summer. It’s the new version of Champaign Surplus, which had been at it’s location at 303 South Neil since the eighties. …

Dublin’s Pub closed in July, and 301 Mongolia closed in September 2017, and now, a restaurant called Neil St. Blues will take over at 301 N. Neil Street in Downtown Champaign. While there isn’t a …