Category > If You're Bored, Then You're Boring
First, I was invited to the event on Facebook. Then, I saw the two preview articles in Smile Politely by Dylan Health (an article about Sonia Warfel's master's thesis, which took place in the basement of Krannert, the basis of the performance at the Canopy Club on March 17) and Alyssa Schoeneman (which explored the various movements and reasoning for the show by Sonia Warfel). I saw posters all over town; I would pass Canopy Club and see the big …
When first hearing about Champaign-Urbana Pride Fest, my initial reaction was, "Super cool," followed by, "Why wasn't there one before?" Seriously though, why wasn't there one before? Well, as is the case with most things, it takes not only the desire to have one (and I'd go so far as to venture there's been plenty of desire for such a thing for quite a few years), but also people with the drive to get it done.
I went to Pecha Kucha a few months ago. I won't speak about it because Lord knows that Smile Politely has done quite a bit already, but one thing that stuck out to me there was how interesting something could become when you're observing someone else who is truly passionate about it (and how excited I was to go to the next one). We've all had that teacher, or that colleague, or that friend who just geeks out about something …
From reading articles here on Smile Politely, I've come to realize that my perfect Saturday seems to be the same as that of many other people. I wake up bright and early, hit some garage sales and haggle over some junk I can't live without, shop local at the Farmers Market, and finish up with a yummy breakfast at one of the great places in Chambana. Unfortunately, my perfect Saturday happens about once a month. The reason? Sleep. Man, do …
My topic for this week focuses on things to do south of Kirby, or perhaps things to do that are more fun in the Spring. If we're going the Sesame Street route, we can also say that "S" is my topic for the day. This was not by design, but my three things to do all involve that letter. I will admit, it helps to have a car to get to these places, but with bus service and the beautiful …
After bashing the "campus is all that exists" viewpoint in my last article, I felt a little bad for making it sound as if there's nothing on campus. As I said, there are definitely gems—particular things that I go to campus to do for fun and entertainment that I can't find other places. So here you go, things to do on campus that perhaps the townies and non-campus lovers might enjoy, even if it's only during spring break, winter break, …
The towns of Champaign and Urbana can often feel a bit stifling to students, particularly as their world is contained to somewhere between the blocks of University and Kirby (oops, I mean Florida) and somewhere between the blocks of Lincoln and Neil. Given that this teeny tiny area is what most students view as Champaign-Urbana's boundaries, it's easy to just sit back in your cramped little (totally bitchin') apartment and count down the days until you get to leave "Southern …
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@Jason: You’re right about that. I get groceries at Schnucks (they carry what I buy, which I can’t say of any other single grocery store in town), and if they have a beer I’m in the market for it’s usually a quarter or two cheaper per 6-…
Best Neighborhood Bar (& Grill) : Urbana - My ‘hood- the ‘Boom! http://www.boomerangbarandgrill.com Go on a Wing Wednesday or Fish Friday, or see a band play some night. Local blue-collar Urbana terroir galore. My only beer snobbish gripe is lack of a pale hopped ale, but you…
The one thing that’s bothered me for a while about the Friar is that, for most commonly purchased adult beverages, you can actually walk down the strip mall to Schnucks and get them cheaper. It makes no sense, but there it is. I suspect it’s because Schnucks…
Maybe I complained enough in person. One time I even explained to the (wholly uninterested) clerk how to navigate the Illinois Statutes web page, and Savoy’s Municipal Code database I wouldn’t know because I only go there when I want to pay 30% more for anything, which is never.
@Rob: You seem to have the weirdest experiences. I’m in Friar Tuck every other week (don’t tell my mom that I’m a lush). They never fail to ask for my birth date but never my age, they never card afterwards, and they often allow me to use…
This column affords me a long-awaited opportunity. I’ve wanted to write my own column called Fuck You Friar Tuck Liquors. but I always thought it’d be too pithy. Here, I can say Fuck You Friar Tuck Liquors and not feel bothered to stretch it out to 750…
Ha! Exactly. You, sir, are welcome at the bar in My House.
Why wait ‘til 3 pm?
I’m excited to go tonight- should be very fun!
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“It was at this point, before he started his business, that working with city employees should’ve raised red flags…” But they didn’t because: 1) The City Clerk’s office originally mis-interpreted the rules, or are indeed re-interpreting them. 2) Champaign’s brick-n-mortar merchants hadn’t yet started whining about The Crave Truck.
Super cool! Excellent track, Excellent band.
Looking forward to trying this place!
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…
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The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!