Category > Word
Facebook tragedy leads to triumph
Things were going so well for Smile Politely, the Facebook entity. We had won hundreds of friends and were well on our way to influencing people. Then, one day, the ill-humored Facebook overlords disabled our account for a spurious, unspecified "Terms of Use" violation. So we're not a real person. Who cares?
Anyhoo, there's no reason why that little setback should spoil our fun. We now have a brand-spankin'-new FACEBOOK PAGE that will try to restore our former glory. We need fans; like, lots of 'em. So tell your friends and those that appear uninformed. We still have the FACEBOOK GROUP, too. If you act quickly, you can sign up for both for the low, low price of FREE.
Roger Ebert announces films for 2009 festival
Those who are fully invested in our hometown boy-cum-iconic film critic wait (im)patiently each year until ol' Ebert reveals his selections for his Overlooked Film Festival. This is the 11th year, and the list has just been revealed.
Among the films I am most excited for are the original documentary, Woodstock, the Swedish horror film released just last year, Let the Right One in, and Urbana's very own Nina Paley's Sita Sings the Blues.
Oh, right. Dallas from The Outsiders is making an appearance as well.
Looks great, as always.
Beer Bulletin: March 27
Are you the type who picks a bar based upon the beer? If so, read on to find out the freshest brews in town.
Crane Alley
On tap: Dogfish Head Red & White, Dogfish Head 60 MInute IPA, Dogfish Head Chicory Stout, Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron, Southern Tier Unearthly IPA, Three Floyds Black Sun Stout, Hebrew Origin Pomegranate Ale, Three Floyds Robert the Bruce Scottish Ale, Geants Goliath Belgian Tripel, Left Hand Black Jack Porter, Bells Two Hearted Ale, Southern Tier Choklat Stout, Victory Prima Pils, Weihenstephaner Hefe Weizen.
In the bottle: Dogfish Head Festina Peche, Lost Abbey Avant Garde, Lost Abbey Serpent Stout, Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout
Blind Pig
On tap: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Sierra Nevada Chico IPA Special Release, Sierra Nevada Ruthless Hefeweizen Special Release, Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barleywine, Sierra Nevada ESB, Three Floyds Gumballhead, Pyramid Apricot, Boulevard Nut Cracker, Rogue Hazelnut Brown, Krusovice Imperial 12°, Founders Dirty Bastard, Founders Double Trouble,
In the bottle: Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA, Avery Hog Heaven, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
Urbana Farmer’s Market gets grant
The Urbana Farmer's Market received a $7,500 grant from the Illinois Department of Agriculture "to help market their homegrown produce." That amount was tied for the largest award of any in the state.
Lincoln Hotel story takes odd turn
How can you pay for a renovation when your property is being foreclosed upon? The owners of the Historic Lincoln Hotel are trying to figure that out, as their management company claims to be moving ahead with a multi-million dollar revamping of the property, even as a sheriff's sale is scheduled for April 24. Lots of wildly conflicting information in today's News-Gazette article.
What do you think?
Furniture Lounge on its way out of downtown Champaign
Furniture Lounge in downtown Champaign is having a big sale prior to its move to downtown Urbana: 75% off storewide through March 30. Vintage clothing is $5 a bag and records are 25 for one dollar. That's pretty much the best deal in town.
Audrey Niffenegger gets $5 mil book deal
I had the pleasure of meeting Audrey Niffenegger, author of the New York Times bestseller, The Time Traveler's Wife, when I was going to Columbia College Chicago. During our meeting, she spoke about her next book, which would take place at Highgate Cemetery in England. She said she would be researching the book by becoming a caretaker of the cemetery. Not only did she end up helping another New York Times bestselling author research his Newbery-winning novel, Neil Gaiman; Ms. Niffenegger's new book snagged an unprecedented $5 million dollar book deal.
It's nice to know in our nose-diving economy, the written word can still be so profitable. Now, if only I could make a small fraction of that $5 mil with my book...
Illini baseball avoids sweep in Florida finale
The University of Illinois baseball team won their final game against Central Connecticut State in Winter Haven, Florida, by a 6-0 count. The Illini went 2-3 overall in the Sunshine State, and return home for their Big Ten opener this weekend against Michigan State.
Wanna sell some ads for us?
Smile Politely has decided to seek a freelance advertising rep to help put the small businesses that make our town tick on the pages of our Web site. We are looking for a self-starter; someone willing to fly solo, and who knows (or wants to learn) the Champaign-Urbana ropes. We are looking for someone with a little advertising experience or someone who is currently studying advertising at University of Illinois. We expect our new rep to work a fair share of hours per week. We are not looking for someone who wants to sell businesses more than they need. We maintain a fierce independence, and the right candidate will fit into that mold with ease. Smile Politely compensates on a commission basis. If you're interested, email us at info [at] smilepolitely [dot] com, and we'll go from there.
Historic Lincoln Hotel getting long-overdue renovation
William Gillespie wrote about its decrepit condition on this very site last week, and now comes the announcement that the Historic Lincoln Hotel is closing for a nine-month renovation.
Any suggestions for the new name?
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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.