SPlog

Flesor’s Candy Kitchen in nearby Tuscola has been in operation since 1871. Last year, Flesor’s Candy Kitchen received a $40,000 grant from the Backing Historic Small Restaurants Grant Program, which is helpful no doubt, but …

This Thursday, I’m thirsty for something fun and boozy, and it’s the bold-fashioned at The Space. This spicy take on an old-fashioned cocktail has Amargo de Chile liqueur, kicking the heat up with seven chili …

This year’s Juneteenth celebration by Champaign Park District is coming up, just a month from today at Douglass Park on Saturday, June 15th. From 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., there will be music, food vendors, …

This Saturday, Toast to Taylor Street marks the first street festival of the year, this being the fourth edition of the independent, woman-run, volunteer-driven series on Taylor Street next to Farren’s Pub and Eatery. The …

Illini Union Board’s annual Summer Movies on the Quad series returns net Thursday, May 23rd. Kicking the series off is Bob Marly: One Love, followed by Dune II, Arthur the King, and many more after …

In tragic news, Champaign’s Afghan Cuisine restaurant is now permanently closed. A message from the restaurant was posted on social media: We regret to announce the closure of the Afghan Cuisine restaurant in Champaign, almost …

After a long, long wait, things are finally happening at the spot for our very own H Mart grocery store. Even in the yesterday’s rain, there were construction vehicles and workers starting to renovate Urbana’s …

Huzzah, National Barbecue Day is tomorrow, May 16th. Thankfully, we have a lot of barbecue options in Champaign, Urbana, Savoy, and beyond. Our local barbecue joints offer different takes on American barbecue, each with special …

I’m so looking forward to diving into the newest exhibit at the Springer Cultural Center. Under a Milk Moon opened on May 4th and will run through June 15th. Featuring the work of artists Paula …

The VC Pride Coalition is bringing Pridefest back to Danville for its second year. Before the event last year, we spoke to one of the members, who was optimistic about bringing Pride to Danville. Over …

Last fall, University YMCA opened a time capsule that had been sealed for 115(!) years to commemorate their 150th anniversary. That is such a crazy time warp, and you can rewatch the opening of the …

There are many pieces of interesting architecture in our community, some of which I was reminded of after reading Amy Penne’s preview of what is to come in the arts this month. Mid-Continent Modern is …

In just a couple of weeks on May 29th and May 30th, Hamilton Walker’s will be hosting their next wine dinner, featuring their offerings in conjunction with Robert Mondavi Winery. Read Julie’s review of one …

The Black Joy Project’s Florence Adibu and Dr. Ruby Mendenhall (Urbana’s current Poet Laureate) hosted an open mic last Friday (May 10th) at Urbana’s Gallery Art Bar. In coordination with Epsilon Epsilon Omega Chapter of …

Tip of the cap goes to this person on UIUC’s ever-popular subreddit, but if you’re interested in potentially catching some aurora in the night sky, tonight is your night. Remember, Champaign County Forest Preserve District’s …

This weekend many people in Champaign-Urbana will celebrate Mother’s Day and / or commencement at the University of Illinois. It’s a busy, busy weekend for local restaurants; if you don’t have a reservation, well, good luck (there …

If you’re like me, you like bread. Bread is life and when it is good, there’s not a out there that’s better. Earlier this week, Central Illinois Bakehouse introduced their Bread Buyers Card, which seems …

MenoPatch, a new transdermal skin patch developed by students at Carle Illinois College of Medicine, just took home the top prize at this year’s Founders Forge 2024. That event brings together a wide variety of …

I swear if I don’t get extra caffeine on cloudy days, I’m going to be asleep. Let’s put some pep in our step this Thursday with iced Vietnamese coffee at 83 Vietnamese. The Champaign restaurant’s …

Square waffles are out, and rounded waffles are in. After just one bite of Happy Lemon’s bubble waffle, I was hooked. The bubble tea store’s bubble waffles come in a few flavors (chocolate, cheese, matcha, …

Yummy Future, the robot coffee shop of Campustown, will open a second Champaign location this summer. The new location will also be on Green Street in the spot that used to be Bombay Indian Grill, …

Here’s an opportunity to have your voice heard as MTD is planning to showcase and hear feedback about their proposed Fall Service changes for the upcoming service year. Tomorrow, Thursday, May 9th, they’re hosting this …

Before I dive in, I just want to acknowledge that Mother’s Day can be a really hard day for so many people (myself included). Whether you have lost a mom, have a strained relationship, are …

Next Wednesday, May 15th, Experience Champaign-Urbana is hosting their annual celebration giving praise to tourism creators in the community. This year’s 2024 Tourism Impact award winners include The Great Pumpkin Patch, Ebertfest, State Farm Center, …

Sometimes, when you watch YouTube a little too much, you think you can start to restore anything, any old piece of furniture you can find just to say you can do it. Well, those folks …

Dr. Larry Smarr, one of the founding directors of National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) is paying a visit to University of Illinois on Thursday. He’ll be giving a lecture, “From NCSA to the National …

Owner Appreciation Days wrap up Common Ground Food Co-op in Urbana tomorrow, Tuesday, May 7th, so if you haven’t been able to get over there to snag some deals, it isn’t too late. One sale …

Starting next week, you can add another thing to see in Uptown Normal to your list with live music. They’ll be kicking off their Normal Live series, which is a series of live music performances …

Coverage of the local music scene has been a core component of Smile Politely since its founding. Our music section covers a wide variety of genres — from rock to hip-hop to classical and more …

I can’t stop — and don’t want to stop — eating bagels by Good Judys’ Bagels. I bought some of the new C-U bakery’s bagels at the first Market at the Square of 2024 on Saturday, …

CU Broad Comedy is a group with a mission to “help diversify the CU comedy community and uplift women comedians.” They will be at the Harvest Market mezzanine with performers Michelle Lore, Kathy Brennan, and …

When the outdoor farmers markets open for the season, you know summer in Champaign-Urbana is on its way. We’re lucky to have two outdoor markets in C-U: the Tuesday afternoon market in Downtown Champaign and …

Next week, there’s an opportunity (amongst several outlined by our Culture Editor Louise Knight-Gibson, though not all take place next week!) to treat your mom for Mother’s Day. The CU Flower House, which celebrated two …

We had our quarterly writer’s party at Maize last night, but before I joined the festivities, I had to swing by to witness my favorite rite of Spring: the erecting of the tent for patio …

Warm weather makes me carve margaritas. And on this warm Thursday, I’m thirsty for one of my favorite margaritas: Maize’s mango habanero margarita. Made with 100% blue agave tequila and Naranja liqueur, this beaut of …

CU BIPOC Collective is a new community formed by the City of Urbana Arts and Culture Program and the University of Illinois College of Fine and Applied Arts. It was created for local artists and …

Red Herring Vegetarian Restaurant is hosting an upcoming ticketed dinner under the moniker Feeding Tomorrow, which is one of two fundraising events to help expand their food justice program, Sharing Table. Red Herring and Channing …

Last month, WEFT 90.1 FM, the community radio station which played host to Smile Politely Radio for years until it went on hiatus a handful of years back, posted an interesting story about Bill Taylor. …

All 22 students in the Centennial High School AVID Cohort have a post-high school graduation plan and a 100% college acceptance rate. And for the first time in Unit 4 AVID history, a current senior, …

The Odyssey Project, an adult learning program through the Humanities Research Institute, is accepting applications for their summer 2024 program. The program is open to low-income adults who are looking to further their learning through college courses. …

University of Illinois’ Assistant Professor of African American Studies Dr. Bobby J. Smith II wrote a new book called Food Power Politics, and it’s getting national recognition. Food Power Politics has been nominated for the …

National Poetry Month may be wrapping up, but Urbana’s new poet laureate will be featured at the University of Illinois’ Spurlock Museum this Sunday. Dr. Ruby Mendenhall brings a wealth of knowledge and creativity to …

The Messthetics, featuring the dynamic rhythm section of Fugazi and renowned saxophonist James Brandon Lewis, are poised to captivate audiences at Gallery Art Bar in Urbana on May 8th. Riding high from their latest album …

The Winter Market just wrapped up this past weekend in Downtown Urbana, and starting Tuesday, May 14th, the Land Connection’s market will shift outdoors and over to Downtown Champaign. Champaign Farmers Market will take place …

This year’s graduating students at the School of Art & Design at the University of Illinois will have their work on display from May 4-11 at Krannert Art Museum. The U of I News Bureau …

This week amongst our Smile Politely editor group, we were just floored by the amount of trash that was collected by volunteers for the Boneyard Recycling Day back on April 20th. 23,000(!) pounds of trash! …

Allerton Park & Retreat Center is already an incredibly beautiful place to check out and visit, no matter what time of year. This weekend, they’re hosting their inaugural Bluebell Festival, which they describe as a …