Smile Politely: News

SP Radio Podcast: C-U Flea arrives

John Steinbacher — 2012-05-22T11:00:57+00:00

On this episode of Smile Politely Radio, we talk to C-U Flea organizers Cole Rabenort and Millie Wright about their brand new flea market in Urbana. Debuting this Saturday at the old location for Parasol Mail Order, C-U Flea will be a bi-monthly community flea market that will feature clothes, original artwork, handmade collectibles, houseware, etc. Plus, there will be food, DJ's and bands. We discuss how this all got started, the type of vendors to expect and what to look for in a good flea market.

All ages concert with live bands begins at 3pm:
Co-ed Pageant
Hathaways
Deathtram

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SP Radio Podcast: Anna Karenina/Anna Karina

John Steinbacher — 2012-05-17T00:53:39+00:00

Download this week's podcast here.

On this episode of SP Radio, we are joined by Cole Rabenort and Luke Bergkoetter of local band Anna Karenina/Anna Karina. AK/AK released their Autobiographies EP last weekend. We chat about recording the new EP, play some songs, talk local music, other projects, what type of sewing maching Cole recommends, and much more. Good times.

Photo by Chris Davies

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SP Radio Podcast: Broadband for the masses

Jason Brown — 2012-05-09T14:00:22+00:00

Download this week's episode here.

On this episode of Smile Politely Radio, we talk to John Kersh, Visiting Urban Project Planner for the Urbana Champaign Big Broadband (UC2B) project. We discuss what exactly UC2B is, how it came about, and what its long term goals are. We also delve into how the project is trying to attract local businesses and how it will help peope in underserved areas.

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SP Radio Podcast: Going down to market

Jason Brown — 2012-05-01T13:00:25+00:00

Download this week's episode here.

For this week's SPRadio podcast, we chat with Lisa Bralts, director of Urbana's long-running Market at the Square. Set to open the season this Saturday, May 5, The Market at the Square has more space, new vendors, more products, and plenty of good reasons to wake up early each weekend. Lisa fills us in on some of the changes and additions for this year, gives us just a small peek at some of the challenges that go into making the Market happen each weekend, and more. Plus, some tips on how to make it out each weekend (Hint: Have an umbrella ready so you don't miss out on anything).

Smile Politely Radio airs live each Friday at 5:30pm on WEFT 90.1 FM in Champaign, and is available for download the following week.

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SP Radio Podcast: Speaking for (and about) the trees

John Steinbacher — 2012-04-24T11:00:05+00:00

Download/listen to this week's episode here.

On this episode of Smile Politely Radio, we are joined by Sharon Lilly from the International Society of Arboriculture. ISA is a professional organization promoting urban tree care worldwide and its headquarters is in west Champaign. We discuss what exactly an arborist does, how to find the right arborist, and why exactly ISA is located in the middle of Central Illinois. Plus, we talk about proper tree care for the nonprofessionals and all the great benefits we get from urban trees, including our mental health.

Sharon is ISA's Director of Educational Goods and Services and a Board Certified Master Arborist. As Sharon mentions in the interview, more information about treecare and ISA's public outreach and education is availabe at www.treesaregood.org.

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SP Radio Podcast: Champaign Urbana Design Organization

Jason Brown — 2012-04-18T11:00:43+00:00

Download this week's episode of Smile Politely Radio here.

This week on Smile Politely Radio we invited Maya and Paul from CUDO, The Champaign Urbana Design Organization, to chat with us about the vibrant creative community in Chambana. CUDO began the now highly popular Pecha Kucha events here in C-U, bringing together speakers and presenters from all areas and fields in the community to share their insights on creativity. In addition, CUDO hosts a number of networking events, portfolio review opportunities for burgeoning designers, and other activities to foster the design community in Champaign. Download this week's show to hear more about these events, how CUDO got started, and just some of the ideas they're working on to continue supporting and expanding the design community in Central Illinois.

CUDO is participating in this weekend's Boneyard Arts Festival with ABCU, CUDO’s third annual typography exhibit and fundraiser

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SP Radio Podcast: Turn It UP! 2012

John Steinbacher — 2012-04-10T11:00:23+00:00

Download this week's podcast here.

On this episode of SP Radio, we talk with Tom Miebach, the organizer of the UP Center's annual fundraising event, Turn It UP!, which is happening this Friday, April 13 at 7 p.m. This is the third year for this event, and the line up this year is extremely full of local musicians, artists, spoken word performers, comedians, and much more.

In addition to this event, we talk a little about the services the UP Center provides and the continued momentum of the local GLBTQA community.

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SP Radio Podcast: Record Store Day 2012

John Steinbacher — 2012-04-03T10:59:01+00:00

Download this week's episode here.

On this episode, we are joined by Jeff Brandt, owner of Exile on Main Street, and Isaac Arms, local musician guy extraordiare, to discuss the plans for Record Store Day 2012. The annual holiday for music geeks will take place on Saturday, April 21. In addition to discussing several special releases for sale, we talk about the full slate of bands playing all day long at Exile. Smile Politely will have much more coverage closer to the official day.

Scheduled bands:
The Dirty Feathers
Elsinore
New Ruins
RedLeg
Mille Nomi
Midstress
Curb Service
Deathtram
Withershins
An Evening With Your Mother
Take Care
DJ Kirkwood West
Kate and James Hathaway
DJ Reed Richards
DJ Mertz
emerges from his cave!
Megan Johns
Mayor Don G & Chloe Rose
Coed Pageant

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SP Radio Podcast: DoCha Chamber Music Festival

Jason Brown — 2012-03-27T11:00:17+00:00

Download this week's episode here.

This weekend, the third annual DoCha Chamber Music Festival will set up shop at the Orpheum Theater in Downtown Champaign. Executive Director Sally Bernhardsson joins us on Smile Politely Radio this week to talk about the festival, its founding, and some of the musical experiences awaiting attendees this weekend. Designed to expand the reach of classical music beyond concert halls and black tie events, DoCha features live performances that blend a variety of arts including music, dance, poetry, and more. There are also educational programs and events for children and families to participate.

This year's festival begins Friday, March 30th and continues until Tuesday, April 3rd. View the DoCha website for complete schedule of events and performances, videos, and additional information.

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SP Radio Podcast: Eating well (and meatless) in C-U

John Steinbacher — 2012-03-21T13:00:39+00:00

Download this week’s podcast here.

Vegetarian eating in C-U means a lot more than just a bean burrito from Taco Bell. On this episode of Smile Politely Radio, we talk to SP writers Amelia Bowen and Jeremiah Stanley about the best places to eat vegetarian and vegan in town. This includes totally vegetarian restaurants like the Red Herring, plus all the great options elsewhere in town.

During the show, Amelia frequently refers to an article she wrote about her Top Ten meatless meals of 2011. You can read that article here. And here’s Jeremiah’s recent review of the Red Herring, which he calls his favorite vegan restaurant in town. But do check out all of SP's extensive archive on vegetarian and vegan dining.

Warning: Do not listen to this week’s show unless you have easy access to food.

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