Category > Video
Illinois Safe Schools Alliance created a beautiful video
And one of our own — a member of eCISSA — participated. Listening to these kids use so few words to say so much about their day-to-day experiences is enormously meaningful.
This video was inspired by one that most of us have probably seen, made for the David Cornfield Melanoma Fund.
| Something is rotten in Champaign (and it’s not the waffles)
In one of the best local stories from last year, local high school student/entrepreneur Zach Ware started a fairly successful waffle food truck with his mom. Their story was featured all over the local news and warmed the hearts of hipsters and grandmothers alike. In fact, it’s such a great up-from-the-bootstraps story, that I wouldn’t be surprised to see politicians descending on young Zach by the dozens for potential “I-get-credit-for-this-guy” photo ops.
But alas, bureaucracy is rearing its ugly head. The city is reinterpreting its laws from last year, now saying that the truck can no longer park at meters and is now being asked to pay for a license for each employee instead of just $250. Here’s a video from last night’s WCIA news (featuring C-U’s best newscaster): http://illinoishomepage.net/fulltext?nxd_id=371252.
I honestly don’t know much about how city politics work in this town, but someone is pulling some strings behind the scenes in this scenario. You don’t just suddenly decide to reinterpret city laws. Let the conjecture about what Champaign business is using local government to eliminate the competition begin.
No need to worry though, there will be a study session.
Romney hearts the ever loving shit out of Jimmy John
As a talking point, Mitt Romney — the Republican Presidential candidate (c'mon, who's thinking otherwise by now) — who has been supported by our very own Jimmy John Liataud for years, used the Sandwich King of Champaign as an example today about how to hit up your parents out of their hard earned dollars to go into business for yourself:
I've actually only met Jimmy once, when I escorted him to meet Snoop Dogg; and truth be told, he was super nice to me and very cordial. I've heard from many, many, many people that he is a fine fella. I have no qualms against him personally — none whatsoever. I don't hunt, and I have no horse in that race.
But the fact that he is being name dropped by Mitt Romney only speaks to the power of his voice, and to the power of this community. Say what you will — political positions aside — but we are relevant and part of the national and international lexicon.
After all, Patton Oswalt stood us up this week. Can it get any more insane around here?
Austin Phillips & Kyle Moe: Illini national champions
Illini national champion gymnasts Austin Phillips and Kyle Moe (from Champaign Central) are the glue.
John Groce updates staff
The news follows Groce's remarks regarding Meyers Leonard's departure for the NBA:
T.G.I.C.
Thank Goodness It's Closing: http://www.news-gazette.com/news/business/restaurants/2012-04-07/tgi-fridays-champaign-closing.html
Of course, I'm not actually glad about it, since those are people's jobs and livelihoods at stake. But the food was terrible, and the outfits those waiters had to wear just made me embarrassed for them. And for Mike Judge, too:
Hopefully, something decent will take it's place. Here's to wishful thinking.
The “Rick Bus” visits Champaign
If you hold a rally and less than 25 people show up, does it count as a rally?
As part of its grassroots support for presidential candidate, Rick Santorum, anti-choice group Susan B. Anthony List held a rally on Saturday in Champaign at West Side Park.
From their website:
Rick Santorum stands out as a proven leader in this great human and civil rights cause of our time. It was Rick Santorum who successfully led the fight to ban the gruesome partial-birth abortion procedure, and he proudly co-sponsored and fought for every single piece of pro-life legislation while in the U.S. Senate.
Marilyn Musgrave, Vice President of Government Affairs at SBA List, spoke for about seven minutes:
Evidently, this group is traveling the state in support of Rick Santorum because of our primary on Tuesday. And at each stop, a local anti-choice activist speaks. C-U's Jan Ruffner (Silent No More) stated that "democrats are mean," and that "they aren't pro-choice, they're pro-abortion." She considers an "abomination" to be this "abortion nation" we're living in. So it's not just The Gays?
I finally found something to like about Rick Santorum: he uses the Oxford comma.
Video of Ron Paul’s visit
I attended Ron Paul's event yesterday and took a lot of video. They're here for you, gentle readers, in case you're interested.
A guy from the AP asked me some questions. After I answered them, he asked me, "why are you here?" Well, I was there because, if a presidential candidate visits my city, I want to be there, whether or not I plan to vote for him or her.
Romney? Sure.
Obama? Absolutely.
Santorum? Only with a protest sign, and about 20 of my friends. But I'd be there.
So it was with Dr. Paul. I didn't learn anything last night about Ron Paul that I didn't already know. And nothing he said changed my mind about whether or not I'll be voting for him. And I didn't learn anything more about his supporters that I didn't already know either. But I don't regret going. However, I do regret that he didn't bother with a question and answer session.
I also regret how shaky my videos are. I'm sorry. I jostled against the guy sitting behind me a few times, and I was always worried that my camera was in his way.
For more in depth coverage on Ron Paul and his visit, see Tony Pomonis' article.
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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.