About Us
Smile Politely is Champaign-Urbana's independent online magazine. We provide the community with a passionate, trustworthy, informed point of view on local music, arts, culture, food+drink, sports, politics and news. Our writers range in age from college undergrads to fifty-somethings, and with that diversity comes a wide array of political, cultural, social, and artistic bents, as well as an impressive wealth of experiences from which to reference. Such variety accurately reflects the hodgepodge that is Champaign-Urbana, a university town with a decidedly Midwestern flair. Smile Politely's editorial staff immerses itself in the community it calls home, and our writers' coverage of events reflects that dedication.
Whatever entertains you, informs you, excites you, or frustrates you, is all likely to be covered in our magazine. And if it's not, let us know. We're always open to suggestions that further expand our coverage. Readers are encouraged to establish their own free profile accounts to take advantage of our unique, interactive site.
Smile Politely publishes articles daily, Monday through Friday.
A note about comments (revised March 22, 2012)
We welcome passionate and ideologically diverse views, provided they are stated respectfully and with decorum. Hate speech, bigotry, insults, and trolling will not be tolerated. If the Editorial Board decides that your behavior is uncivil, we will ask that you change it or your commenting privileges may be suspended indefinitely.
To prevent spam and to help promote civil discourse, Smile Politely requires commenters to register with the site. Registration requires no personal information other than a valid email address. Additionally, to combat robot spam, commenting on articles is limited to 30 days.
Smile Politely reserves the right to delete any comment for any reason.
Editors
Ben was born and raised in the Urbana faculty ghetto. He really likes live music and indian food.
Caleb Curtiss grew up in Champaign. He likes sandwiches and pizza and beer. Despite being undersized and out of shape, he has great intangibles and can take a charge without becoming emotionally invested in his own physical well being.
Joel Gillespie grew up in Iowa, went to college in Indiana, and lives in Illinois. He tries to hide his prejudice against states that don't begin with I, but, let's face it, he is naturally suspicious of their intentions. If you have trouble sleeping, give him a call and ask about soybean processing. And whatever you do, never, never, never ask him for real estate advice.
John Steinbacher went to school here, then lived in Minneapolis, then lived in Toronto, now lives here again. His daughter is both Canadian and American, so he reserves the right to make fun of both countries. He has a Master's Degree in Public Policy from the University of Minnesota and has worked in health care and disability policy for some really cool organizations. He has edited all kinds of stuff, including a cake decorating magazine. None of this has anything do with music. Go figure.
Josh is a self-taught technologist with an interest in social justice. He spends much of his time at the Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center, dabbling with hacking and activism for fun and lack of profit. If he ever makes money as SmilePolitely's webmaster, it may help keep his helpfulness from becoming terminal.
Justine Bursoni hails from Chicago. (Yes, really Chicago, not the suburbs.) She tried as hard as possible to leave here, graduating after three years of Art History school. It was Custard Cup that forced her to stay. She now lives in downtown Champaign, is working on her master's in art education, makes art when she can, and runs her own photo blog based on consumer culture. She always smiles politely.
Seth Fein was born in Urbana and now lives in downtown Champaign. He owns and operates The Nicodemus Agency, is the founder and curator of Pygmalion Music Festival, and is an assistant talent buyer at The Canopy Club. He loves the Purdue Boilermakers and his wife's marinara sauce.
Tracy grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana, but escaped that hell hole in the mid-90s, never to return (the occasional wedding or funeral being the exceptions). She works for the University of Illinois for 40 hours a week, and spends the rest of her time wallowing in Earthly delights. She's a patron of the arts and a gay rights activist, and volunteering for Smile Politely is one of the best decisions she's ever made.
Writers
Past Writers
A.B. Koontz
Abram Book
Adam Scott
Alisa DeMarco
Alyssa Schoeneman
Amanda Shively
Andrew Ang
Angela Delgado
Betsi Freeman
Bob Steltman
Brian Kagel
Brian Reed
Caitlin Cremer
Carly Doenges
Carlye Wisel
Chris Maier
Chris Wiberg
Clint Popetz
Don Gerard
Donnie Ferguson
Ellyn Newell
Elyse Russo
Emily Carlson
Eric Heisig
Gordon Oyer
Jaclyn Smith
Jake Thomas
Jane Boxall
Jenna Weglarz-Ward
Joshi Fullop
Justin McLeod
Kristin McCann
Laura Bandy
Lena Singer
Lindsey Gates Markel
Liz Jackson
Logan Moore
Marissa Monson
Matt Cohn
Matt Fender
Mike Armintrout
mrfred
Nathon Jones
Pat Schmitz
Patrick McCarthy
Phil Sudderberg
Ralph Petrella
Ria Roberts
Richard Anderson
Rose Marshack
Ryan Neaveill
Samantha Lee
Scott Frankel
Theo Long
Thom Herakovich
Thomas Cyrs
Thomas Gould
Tim Bailey
Tim Brookes
Tim Green
Tim Hayden
Tommy Griscom
Most Recent Comments
I’m in the middle (or the beginning or end, depending on how you look at it) of re-reading Slaughterhouse Five. What a great companion column.
Get yours early. The Rave’s CD will be available at Exile and at The C-U Flea on Saturday. C-U Flea details here: http://www.smilepolitely.com/news/sp_radio_podcast_c-u_flea_arrives/
I don’t know about Gerard and a random police sargeant. My (mild) outrage is based on this: “...he worked closely with Champaign City Clerk Marilyn Banks to make sure he was licensed properly as a transient food peddler, filling out the necessary paperwork and paying a $225…
Local Yocal pretty much nails it here. I suspect there will be merchants who oppose food trucks because they arguably don’t pay their fair share to locate their trucks in high traffic (high rent) areas. The food trucks take away business from rent payers, park in city…
Oh nice! I’d totally vote for Matt Campbell!
“Smile Politely sports writer announces candidacy for city government.”
I also got to visit Big Grove Tavern during the soft open and definitely enjoyed the pork belly the most of all the dishes I sampled. The cheesy grits and the vinegary pickled vegetables were a perfect compliment to the rich pork belly.
The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!
Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…
Not so much far-right Tea Party as a balanced, moderate viewpoint between letting businesses succeed and protecting society with reasonable regulations. In spite of what the city reps are saying, the interpretation of policy on this issue certainly has changed. Letting a business start up under one…
I think it’s neat that SP has turned rightward, now espousing a Tea Party-style frustration with government regulations & taxes.
This makes me so sad. (Happy to live in Urbana, though!) Crave Truck has been a GREAT addition to the food choices in C-U, and it’d be a travesty to chase them away. This town should be supporting small businesses. I’m glad to hear that they’ll still…
*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…
Actually, it’s kind of nice, the quiet. John Heoffleur’s engaging commentary/dialogue is sorely missed, however. In lieu of someone intelligent saying something, I’ve compiled a list of Honourable Mentions: BEST ROCK BAND: Take Care ::these gentlemen have four completely different sets at their disposal right now (which…
What? Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?
This weekend will mark the first appearance of Kayla Brown’s Fire Doll Candle booth at the Market. Check it: http://www.facebook.com/firedollcandles
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Looking forward to trying this place!