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"It's great to hear people's critical approaches, talking about what they think about the latest album from so-and-so, but I care about that so much less than listening to artists that I love talking about their music or the music that they love." — Jon Stone, co-founder of Prairie Hymnal It's been said that no one's more Catholic than a convert, and in the same way, it seems that often those who are most enthusiastic about Midwestern culture are those who grew …
Local real estate developer Eric Bussell was a longtime contributor to follower of IlliniPundit (and a one-time op-ed contributor to this site), and had been looking for a way to promote his business, or supply "content as an affordable way to market your expertise," as he puts it. When IlliniPundit founder Gordy Hulten was appointed to the Champaign City Council earlier this year, he decided to step away from IP, and Bussell thought that could be an opportunity. "I actually …
Regardless of your political orientation, whether you have children or not, the state of the local school district is an exceedingly important part of any community. And for a city the size of Champaign, the school system's operations can be complex enough to befuddle most unschooled observers. That's where Charles Schultz comes in. Schultz, author of the outstanding website A citizen's blog about Champaign Unit 4, wasn't always interested in the machinations of his local school district. "I was happy …
Champaign-Urbana can be a isolating place for mothers of young children, and the mainstream media options for parents left Laura Weisskopf Bleill and Amy Hatch cold. So, rather than complain about it, they took matters into their own hands and started ChambanaMoms.com, a one-stop shop for C-U parents, which launched in November. BLOGGING TO CONNECT "It was Laura's idea," Hatch explained. "She realized there was a total vacuum in town as far as parenting goes. You try to find …
"The idea of the bike is profoundly simple and powerful. Even if it's mass-produced and a piece of crap, it's still an amazingly powerful tool that's very bulletproof." — Robert Baird The tagline of All Bikes R Cool, the most frequently-updated of Baird's blogs, states that it's "A Blog about any and all bikes, parts, riders, and bikeish stuff, since it's all good." And that idea permeates the site, as he bounces from topic to topic and celebrates all things …
The idea of working within a set of rules, yet creating your own thing, and sending that to somebody else ... is just interesting and fun. — Dorie Schwarz Anyone who maintains a blog (or any project, really) over a period of time has to be inspired and supported, and being a part of a community can help maintain the momentum. Sometimes, though, it can be intimidating at first. Dorie Schwarz, who has been blogging about her crafting activities at …
Cynthia Voelkl was in a tough spot when she started her blog, The Sandwich Life, in 2006. "I just needed an outlet," she says. "I was in a lousy job situation, my dad's Alzheimer's was really starting to show, and it just wasn't a good time." So, what started as an online mom's group when her eldest son was born turned into something more personal. "I remember posting on that [mom's] board once, 'Somebody else better post or I'm going …
On May 1, 2006, Lisa Morgan and her husband went to The Great Impasta for a birthday dinner. She snapped a couple pictures of their entrees, wrote a quick summary of the experience, and just like that, a blog was born. Three years later, Champaign Taste has developed into a reliable source for all sorts of Champaign-Urbana food information, from restaurant reviews to recipes, videos, and even an Oscar contest. Morgan drew inspiration from another local blogger for this broad-based …
They say all politics is local, and IlliniPundit.com proves that point on a daily basis. Whether it's the final days of a heated mayoral campaign or deep in the doldrums between elections, there will still be hundreds of folks in Champaign-Urbana wanting to talk politics. IlliniPundit gives them an online forum for that urge. When site creator Gordy Hulten (pictured at left) reorganized the site in 2006 to more of an open discussion from its earlier Republican incarnation, he wanted …
The dècor of Secret Micro-Film Headquarters — otherwise known as Jason Pankoke's tidy Champaign apartment — offers a clear window into Pankoke's heart. From the shelves and shelves of DVDs and VHS tapes lining the living room ("half of them are screeners") to the vibrantly colorful concert and movie posters occupying the rest of the available wall space, it's apparent that Pankoke has a deep appreciation for the visual arts.
Most Recent Culture Comments
@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!
Most Recent Comments
“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!