Category > ChampaignCampusUrbana
Presidential Candidate Dr. Ron Paul wears black Rockport Pro-Walkers. All of those who work seven days a week can commiserate with his podiatric pain and lack of style. Some love him more for it. It is a reflected symbol of their gainfully employed homeliness. Stacy Adams, if we had our egomaniacal, attractive, Wall Street druthers — Pro-Walkers if we’re mensch. Rarely in life are individuals afforded the opportunity to meet their personal hero. Last night, nearly 5,000 raucous, energized, and …
As reported by the News-Gazette's Patrick Wade, the Champaign City Council upheld a local groundwater ordinance at its meeting Tuesday evening. The ordinance was upheld by an 8–1 vote, with Tom Bruno the only dissenting party. Champaign County Health Care Consumers, in conjunction with the Fifth and Hill Neighborhood Rights Group, had supported repealing the ordinance, which they claim does not go far enough "to clean up some of the most highly contaminated properties in Champaign." This decision, and some …
The crack of wooden bats, the smell of fresh cut grass, and the taste of a cold beer on a hot summer evening are three things that have been absent from the lives of Champaign-Urbana baseball fans for generations. However, with the caveat that it's extremely early in the process, Champaign mayor Don Gerard has begun laying the groundwork for bringing minor league baseball to Champaign. IF YOU BUILD IT...? Gerard stated that, unlike the most recent effort — which …
A large, upscale fundraiser occurred at the Virginia Theater in Champaign on Tuesday, May 10th, drawing hundreds of donors who enjoyed a night of music, film, and guest speakers in support of a new local non-profit, Merci's Refuge.
After his surprising victory over three-term incumbent Jerry Schweighart on April 3, Champaign mayor-elect Don Gerard hasn't gone out of his way to accommodate the News-Gazette's requests for a one-hour videotaped interview. According to a piece that appeared in Sunday's paper entitled "Incoming mayor yet to grant interview with N-G," by Patrick Wade, "[Campaign manager Angela] Patton later informed the newspaper that Gerard would be available to respond to questions via email, but The News-Gazette declined. The newspaper considers email …
On Monday, March 7th at 4:30 p.m., a tandem bicycle ridden by Champaign residents Cindy and David Combs was struck by a motor vehicle driven by Errol Maul, leaving Cindy dead and David critically injured (he remains hospitalized). If you're unfamiliar with this incident, a good place to start is Annie Weisner's article from March 23. MAUL PLEADS GUILTY TO PETTY OFFENSES This past Monday, in advance of his scheduled hearing, Errol Maul pled guilty to two traffic violations: failure …
Don Gerard is now the mayor-elect of Champaign, having defeated incumbent Jerry Schweighart by 230 votes in yesterday's election. As you can see in the table below, Gerard carried 24 of the 40 precincts (the City of Champaign has 38 precincts, but this election included two polling places in Champaign Township, as well). Gerard Schweighart Votes Percent Votes Percent City of Champaign 1 180 90.00% 20 10.00% City of Champaign 2 10 58.82% 7 41.18% City of Champaign 3 …
Despite Champaign's conservative reputation, the city has a pretty solid record of backing Democratic candidates, at least in recent elections. Whether that means much for tomorrow's "non-partisan" election remains to be seen, but there is food for thought available nonetheless. Consider: David Gill (54%) soundly defeated Tim Johnson (46%) in Champaign in 2010 Barack Obama (68%) scored a lopsided victory over John McCain (32%) in 2008, which wasn't a whole lot more uneven than Obama's win in Urbana (74% to …
In a press conference held at Busey Bank headquarters on Monday, marketing executives revealed that actor Gary Busey has been chosen as Busey Bank's new celebrity spokesperson. Busey, 66, has appeared in such films as The Buddy Holly Story (for which he was nominated for an Oscar), Lethal Weapon, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, The Firm, and Point Break. In the late 90's, Busey had a very public breakdown in which he confessed his addiction to cocaine and other …
The campaigns of both Champaign mayoral candidates are releasing new ads as they head into the final stretch before next Tuesday's election. Smile Politely has obtained the rights to exclusively debut both ads. In this ad from the Don Gerard campaign, another former local rocker stumps for the political newbie: You can check out previous entries into this series of ads here. Not to be outdone, incumbent mayor Jerry Schweighart just released a new ad, which is similar in tone …
Most Recent News Comments
Thank you for discussing Ron Paul’s “successors” - the future of the freedom movement. The movement didn’t begin with Dr. Paul, nor will it end with his exit from the political scene. How many future political leaders were in that audience of nearly 5,000 last night?
I went to the Ron Paul event last night. There was alot of energy & the audience responded to Ron Paul’s ideas which surprised me. I didn’t think most people would be aware of NDAA. Another person, who was there last night, observed that quite a few…
A really well researched article. Great job!
I love the Guitars
Hi my name is Harry Huffman, professional speaker…. keynote humorist and above all story teller. I have also been a ballroom dancer, competitor and instructor over 45 years.I’m looking to get on the story telling circuit or radio. Can you give me some advice. Thank you. My web site http://www.speakdance.com
Man, I cannot wait for these four records to be released by Parasol/Hidden Agenda - seriously great music for them to be working with. Thanks for letting me hang out in the studio and see you at the party…
Rob, I’m slightly confused about the media player you are referring to.
I’ve looked at this page with two different browsers, and four different operating systems. I’ve decided that the embedded media player is just plain busted.
$100K for a toy house? No wonder my taxes are killing me. http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/solar-decathlons-rainy-start_594112.html
Most Popular News Articles (60 days)
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Most Recent Comments
Did the Crave Truck get a permit to park in city metered spots and city right of way? Or did they just get a permit? The city clerk’s office seems to be a suspect here, but it’s not clear they did anything wrong. Did the Crave Truck…
High-profile whining. AKA Lobbying.
it’s quite choice. looking forward to seeing how it and its patronage grow and develop over the course of the year. could be a neat little ecosystem.
“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.
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What a great job by all the volunteers! This event was really put together fast, and well. What I noticed about the crowd was how many old faces I saw despite occurring on a college campus. I talked to quite a few, including students, who assured me…