Category > Quote
Vanattica keeps being the BEST
From the Facebook page SP Music Editors picked as the BEST for 2011:
Keep up the great work fellas!
No more dogs at the Market
Urbana's Market at the Square will no longer allow pets at the farmers market.
The number of observed negative interactions between animals and other animals as well as animal and humans has also increased. A negative interaction can include growling, barking, snapping, or being on the receiving end of other unwanted attention.
Here's the official announcement.
Be sure to tune in to Smile Politely Radio this Friday at 5:30 p.m. on WEFT (90.1 FM), when we'll grill (interview) Market Director Lisa Bralts about this controversial decision. If we somehow have time left, we'll also talk about other market-related issues.
Based on the online discussion I've seen so far at other sites, I'm sure that the comments on this topic will be reasoned, well-thought out and not-at-all divisive.
Lincoln Trail to Champaign Library: No you didn’t
The Lincoln Trail Libraries System has updated their policies so the Champaign Library can no longer charge user fees to Tolono and Mahomet residents.
"We recognize some people perhaps overuse their privileges of reciprocal borrowing to the point that it's detrimental," Lincoln Trail director Jan Ison said.
When the Champaign library announced its new nonresident fee last year, director Marsha Grove said it was to correct inequities in demand on library materials. She said residents of the Mahomet and Tolono districts (the Tolono district includes Savoy residents) were making heavier use of Champaign's resources than they were of their own libraries for which they pay taxes.
"We recognize that," Ison said. "But at the same time, we also recognize the importance of people being able to use a library that's convenient."
Get the full story in Patrick Wade's article at the News-Gazette.
Common Ground Co-op expanding; Whole Foods need not apply
According to an email just send to co-op owners, Common Ground Co-op will be expanding from 2150 square feet of retail space to 6000 total square feet of shopping space. The planned expansion will take place at the current location and start in fall 2011 and is scheduled to be completed by the end of March 2012.
Here's the most excited paragraph to local foodies:
We will definitely be adding the following amenities to the store: a from-scratch, in-house bakery; a self-service hot and cold food bar in the deli; sandwiches to order and an espresso bar; a fresh, regional meat case; a classroom space with a demonstration kitchen; and a packaged beer and wine section with local and organic selections.
This is very good news for those of us who have had to make the regular post co-op trip to Schnucks for meat.
City plugs up pipe that “doesn’t appear” to be leaking toxins into the Boneyard
From Patrick Wade's article at the News-Gazette:
Responding to a threat of a lawsuit from a health care activist group, the city (of Champaign) has agreed to plug a pipe near the Boneyard Creek that the group says is draining hazardous chemicals into the waterway.
While the city can quibble about at what point and how often toxins were leaking, it seems to be doing the right thing by plugging the hole and cleaning up the dirt in the area. And of course city staff is going to use language that absolves Champaign of any legal responsibility, so you should probably take everything they say with a grain of salt.
For more about the Champaign County Health Care Consumers "claims" and "allegations" regarding the Boneyard, listen to the SP Radio podcast on the issues facing 5th and Hill area residents here.
More mayoral election analysis
Over at halfwayinteresting.com, Doug Larson (who the internet tells me owns Joe's Brewery, though apparently I was just supposed to know that) gives a pretty interesting analysis of the election results from the perspective of the Gerard campaign.
Richmond Declares for NBA Draft
Illini earned Big Ten All-Freshman Team Honors
Champaign, Ill. - University of Illinois freshman guard/forward Jereme Richmond (Waukegan, Ill./Waukegan H.S.) announced Tuesday that he is declaring for the 2011 NBA Draft and will not return to school. Richmond is working out in Chicago and will weigh his options regarding signing with an agent.
"I enjoyed my time at the University of Illinois and would like to thank the coaching staff and my teammates for everything they've done for me," Richmond said. "At this time, I'm ready to follow my dreams and achieve my life-long goal of playing in the NBA."
Richmond earned Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors after averaging 7.6 points and 5.0 rebounds in 31 games for the Illini during the 2010-11 season. He shot 52.8 percent from the field and ranked third in the Big Ten in field goal shooting during conference play at 60.4 percent. Richmond scored in double figures 10 times, led by a career-high 18 points on 9-of-12 shooting against Ohio State on Jan. 22. The team's third-leading rebounder on the season, Richmond led the Illini in rebounding in six games, highlighted by a career-best 12 boards versus UIC on Dec. 18.
"Jereme is an extremely talented player who helped us at nearly every position," Weber said. "His versatility and ability to impact the game in a number of different areas are skills that will help him greatly as he pursues his dream of playing professional basketball. We wish Jereme the best and thank him for all he has meant to the Illinois basketball program, from the time he committed as a high school freshman through his contributions this past season."
Computers continue to conspire against Schweighart (UPDATED)
Mayor Jerry Schweighart says he reported a $1,000 campaign contribution the day he received it but that a software glitch prevented the donation from being recorded until Friday morning. ..."We reported it March 8. I have a receipt from the state election board that we reported it March 8," Schweighart said. "When we found out there was a problem, we called them and they said it's not in their computer and apparently one button wasn't hit. We talked to the election guy when we filed it and I have a receipt that says we filed it March 8."
UPDATE (3 p.m., 4/4/11): Here's Dawn Schweighart's letter to the State Board of Elections, taking responsibility for her error and not blaming it on a "computer glitch."
Gerard and Schweighart go to the mat on campaign funding
Here are some notable quotes if you want to whet your appettite before reading Patrick Wade's piece in the Gazette.
Taking a large amount of money from a liquor establishment that's he's going to have control of," Schweighart said, "that's more damaging, I think, than me taking money from a Champaign business." [...] "He don't have to have nine votes (as liquor commissioner)," Schweighart said. "He's in control."
Gerard also questioned contributions Schweighart may have received from local developers or engineers, which in past years have totaled in the thousands, according to the State Board of Elections website. Developers often work with city officials as they plan residential subdivisions, and sometimes receive monetary incentives based on how many jobs are created within commercial or industrial developments.
"You know, when he releases his [penis list of donors], I'll release mine," Schweighart said.
"Tell him to put his [penis list of donors] out there, then we'll talk about it," Gerard said.
Someone on the U of I staff is having a very bad day
We all accidentally send out emails we shouldn't, but this email from "Illini-Alert" seems like a very, very bad blunder:
Active shooter at BUILDING NAME/INTERSECTION. Escape area if safe to do so or shield/secure your location.
The message was quickly followed 18 minutes later with this:
PLEASE DISREGARD THE ILLINI-ALERT MESSAGE SENT REGARDING THE ACTIVE SHOOTER ON CAMPUS! The Illini-Alert message was sent accidently. We sincerely apologize for this accident.
Chief Barbara O'Connor
University of Illinois Police Department
This mailing approved by:
The Office of the Chief of Police
Most Recent SPlog Comments
Oh nice! I’d totally vote for Matt Campbell!
“Smile Politely sports writer announces candidacy for city government.”
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.
And without bloodshed. Sounds like the Savoy trustees aren’t as narrow-minded as some of their whiny pants constituents. Do you think quack Snell is already planning an asinine counterattack or is he still laying low after those “threats” against his person?
Excellent. I am glad sometimes American dreams are encouraged, rather than stifled.
Dollars to waffles says the study session will conclude that there is parking available in the Hill Street Parking Deck.
I can see requiring them to plug meters where they park, but the license fee thing sure sounds like some established business doesn’t like the competition and has an in with the city gummint staff.
This is pretty much ridiculous. However, I would hope that local businesses that aren’t opposed would step up and allow the Crave Truck in their private parking lots. That won’t solve the licensing issue though… (Insert not-so-subtle reference to Snell being behind the grand conspiracy to kill…
How convenient.
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Most Recent Comments
As a liberal conservative, and a person who favors taxes & services ... and also a sense of proportion; I savor the comic potential that still exists in this comments section. I’m pretty sure we can goad more anti-government rhetoric from confirmed progressives and government employees. If…
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…
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Super cool! Excellent track, Excellent band.