Governor Quinn joins the president in support of marriage equality

Posted in SPLOG to Word by Tracy Nectoux on Friday, May 11, 2012 at 9:00 am

Back in 2008, I wrote to Mr. Quinn and asked him his thoughts regarding same-sex marriage. And I asked him for a simple yes or no answer: Do you support marriage equality? Not civil unions. Not domestic partnership. Civil marriage between same-sex couples.

I received a disappointing form letter in which Quinn reaffirmed his support for civil unions, hospital visits, blah, blah, blah. He never mentioned the word "marriage" in the letter. He completely ignored my question.

I'm happy to say that our governor has evolved:

"Gov. Quinn joins with President Obama in supporting marriage equality and looks forward to working on this issue in the future with the General Assembly," Quinn spokeswoman Mica Matsoff said.

Read all about it here.

Thank you, Governor Quinn.

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Homer coal mine forum May 23

Posted in SPLOG to Word by tbarkley on Friday, May 11, 2012 at 8:30 am

Homer, IL – Representatives of Champaign and Vermilion county residents, including stakeholders along the Salt Fork of the Vermilion River, held a press conference today to highlight questions that have been raised in response to media reports that the Village of Homer is negotiating a deal with an out of state coal company to provide water for a proposed coal mine.
Questions have been swirling since media reports surfaced last month suggesting that Sunrise Coal of Terre Haute, Indiana is seeking a deal to purchase water for use in coal processing from the Village of Homer – including water from its drinking water wells near Ogden, or from the Salt Fork River.

“The Salt Fork is a beautiful natural resource in the backyard of our community. It is a rich and diverse sanctuary for wildlife,” explained Sue Smith, local farmer and Salt Fork resident. “Our family has grown up along this river system for generations, appreciating and enjoying its natural beauty. We canoe, kayak, hunt, fish, and bird watch in and along its banks from the Saline Branch at Crystal Lake Park in Urbana to the Vermilion River in Danville.”

Speakers also raised concerns about the mine’s proposal to discharge mine wastewater into Olive Branch, which is a tributary of the Salt Fork River. This has the potential for adding sediments and pollutants such as heavy metals and salts into waters now used for drinking water supplies, fish and wildlife habitat, recreation and livestock watering.

“In the last three years, one-third of Illinois coal mines have been out of compliance with their permit for over one year or more, so there is serious concern that if this coal mine is approved, the Olive Branch and Salt Fork will bear the burden of increased coal mine pollutants, including chlorides and sulfates as well as heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, mercury and selenium”, explained Traci Barkley, Water Resource Scientist with Prairie Rivers Network. Prairie Rivers Network is a statewide nonprofit that advocates for the protection of Illinois’ rivers and streams.
“We must be able to protect our communities and our resource base. We need transparency based on timely and accurate information from the officials we’ve chosen to serve us and from companies that want to do business here,” said Charles Goodall, a Vermilion County farmer and landowner. “We must put behind us the days when we are ambushed by mining companies.”
To address these concerns, the speakers announced a that public informational meeting hosted by Prairie Rivers Network will be held on May 23, 2012 at 7 p.m. at the Salt Fork Center at Homer Lake.

“We urge the village leadership as well as all our local stakeholders and decision makers to seek full disclosure of the risks, and seek guarantees to maintain and enhance the quality of our lives in our community,” said Peter Kuchinke a Salt Fork landowner and resident.

Local residents, farmers, landowners, anglers, paddlers are invited to discuss concerns they have about the implications these proposals may have on drinking water availability, as well as the lasting ecological health of the Salt Fork River. The goal is to have an open and transparent discussion, voice shared concerns, and obtain answers to questions to protect the Salt Fork River, as well as a sustainable future for our rural Champaign and Vermilion County communities.

Contact:
• Sue Smith, farmer and resident, Salt Fork landowner, (217) 896-2698
• Peter Kuchinke, resident, Salt Fork landowner, 217 333 0807
• Charles Goodall, farmer and resident, Stand Up to Coal, charlesgoodall@gmail.com,(217) 474-9285
• Traci Barkley, Prairie Rivers Network , tbarkley@prairierivers.org, (217)344-2371

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Local news headlines for Friday, May 11

Posted in SPLOG to Word by Joel Gillespie on Friday, May 11, 2012 at 6:00 am

A proposed coal mine near Homer has residents up in arms:

• “Homer Residents Say Mining Will Hurt Water Supply” (WILL)

​Another variable in the Olympian road saga: the City of Urbana wants the intersection with Lincoln to be a roundabout, and the county says no way:

• “City, county at odds over Lincoln-Olympian intersection” (N-G)

A sad, bizarre story from the mall parking lot:

• “Automobile accident leaves woman dead in Market Place parking lot” (DI)

• “Woman in fatal collision allowed grandson to move car” (N-G)

• Fatal Accident at Market Place Mall (WICD)

Something sort of heartwarming on the issue of immigration:

• “Local Woman Shares Story Of Immigration Issue” (WICD)

Your daily dose of parental fear-mongering, from nearly every news outlet in town (does someone stopping to ask if you need a ride really qualify as an "attempted abduction"?):

• “Sheriff's office seeks help with attempted abduction” (N-G)

• “Attempted Child Abduction in Urbana” (WICD)

• “Police are investigating an attempted abduction” (WCIA)

And the rest of the stories:

• “Post Office Plan to Cut Hours, Not Offices” (WILL)

• “Dems First on Ballot” (WICD)

• “UHS wins bronze in U.S. News rankings” (N-G)

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Local teachers show their stuff at Indi Go

Posted in SPLOG to Word by Caleb Curtiss on Thursday, May 10, 2012 at 2:21 pm

Those Who Teach, Can | Indi Go Gallery | Friday | 6-9 p.m. | FREE!

As an educator who occasionally dabbles in creative endevors, I'm a bit biased, but Thos Who Teach was by far the most rockin' art show I attended last year. The artists were stoked and the work was eclectic, showcasing the diverse talent employed by Unit 4. Don't miss out on what is certain to be a reprisal of last year's badassness.

From the Those Who Teach, Can presser: 

A group of accomplished art teachers set out to dispel a common myth about the artistic abilities of art teachers with their show “Those Who Teach, Can.” The artwork is from 17 artists/teachers using a variety of media including photography, painting, sculpture, graphic design, and mixed media. These artists/teachers prove that they CAN with their creative, inspirational, and thoughtful works of art.

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Local news headlines for Thursday, May 10

Posted in SPLOG to Word by Joel Gillespie on Thursday, May 10, 2012 at 6:00 am

First things first, U of I has a new provost:

• “Adesida chosen to be UI provost” (N-G)

• “College of Engineering dean named as vice chancellor for academic affairs and provost” (DI)

Also, a disconnect between Frances Nelson Clinic's transition team and the people they're serving:

• “Clinic’s Transition Group Says Local Leaders Misunderstand Plans” (WILL)

And holy shit, if the Illini Arcade gets robbed, expect the place to be swarmed by news crews within minutes:

• “Police seek robber of adult book store” (N-G)

• “Police search for suspect of armed Illini Arcade robbery” (DI)

• “Sex Shop Robbery” (WICD)

• “Police Search For Man Who Robbed Adult Bookstore” (WAND)

Visiting Academic Professionals wouldn't mind it if they had some rights, too:

• “U of I Visiting Ac-Pro’s To Vote On Contract Offer” (WILL)

Your daily "just publishing the press releases from the CDC and CVB" department:

• “Big Year for Champaign Development” (WICD)

• “Increase in Summer Travel & Tourism Expected For Champ Co” (WAND)

And Urbana put out a press release about reaching a deal that will result in lower electric rates for residents (and from all renewable sources), so here are three very similar stories about that:

• “Urbana Sets Contract with Electric Supplier Through Aggregation” (WILL)

• “Urbana inks residential deal with electricity supplier” (N-G)

• “Urbana Reaches Contract With Homefield Energy” (WICD)

And the rest of the stories:

• “A Watchful Eye: Surveillance Cameras Catching Crime” (WCIA)

•  “High-end home sales rebound in April” (N-G)

• “Carriers picking up food donations Saturday” (N-G)

• “19-year-old gets 28 years in prison for cab robbery” (N-G)

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Exile on Main hosts MCA Day this Saturday

Posted in SPLOG to Word by Patrick Singer on Thursday, May 10, 2012 at 12:10 am

As they have done previously with legends like Tom Waits and Smashing Pumpkins, Exile on Main Street has been host to days that celebrate the existence of a band or musician by either playing their music or performing it. This time around, its the celebration of something a bit more disheartening, but uplifting at the same time.

This Saturday, May 12, Exile will be hosting MCA Day: King of the Ave. to honor and celebrate the late and very great Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys, who died last week from cancer. To celebrate the life and work of Yauch, DJ Legtwo and DJ Belly will be spinning cuts from the Beasties' entire catalog.

The event takes place from 1-7 p.m. at Exile.

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Free yoga class at Indi Go today at 7 p.m.

Posted in SPLOG to Word by Patrick Singer on Wednesday, May 9, 2012 at 10:31 am

Join Indi Go for the beginning of Summer Session for indi YogA. Wednesday, May 9th at 7 p.m., this class will be FREE and open to the public. A great way to improve your flexibility, increase strength, and relieve stress, this class is open to all skill levels.

This class will continue Wednesdays at 7pm throughout the summer at the price of $10 for adults and $8 for students. 5 class passes will be available at $45 dollars for adults and $40 for students. These passes never expire and the classes don't need to be done consecutively.

Classes will be taught in a variety of styles by rotating certified yoga teachers: Corrie Proksa, Rebekah Deter, Jim Rector, and Amanda Reagan. Join the "indi YogA" Facebook group to stay informed about promotions, who is teaching the class, and (rare) class cancellations.

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Pygmalion Festival passes on sale today

Posted in SPLOG to Word by Tracy Nectoux on Wednesday, May 9, 2012 at 9:20 am

Passes for the Pygmalion Music Festival go on sale today at 10:00 a.m. Get them here.

Don't procrastinate! Early Bird passes sold out in 20 minutes last year, so get on that shit.

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Quasari String Quartet to give last performance at Indi Go

Posted in SPLOG to Word by Tracy Nectoux on Wednesday, May 9, 2012 at 9:15 am

Location: Indi Go Artist Co-Op
Date: May 10, 2012
Time: 8:00–9:00 p.m.
Cost: This event is free and open to the public

This is Quasari String Quartet's final performance! The program includes works by Beethoven and the world premiere of a quartet by U of I student, Pablo Croissier.

The Quasari Quartet was formed in 2009 by U of I students, and has since performed locally and throughout the Midwest, including appearances at the Rednote Music Festival, the Martirano Composition Competition, and the 2011 DoCha Chamber Music Festival. The group has also had the pleasure of collaborating with composers such as Sam Nichols, Zack Browning, and Roy Magnuson.

Quasari String Quartet
Violin 1: Emelinda Escobar
Violin 2: Gloria Mo
Viola: Alyssa Roggow
Cello: Philip Bergman

For more information

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Local news headlines for Wednesday, May 9

Posted in SPLOG to Word by Joel Gillespie on Wednesday, May 9, 2012 at 6:00 am

What's up with all the bank robberies? East Champaign renames a street to honor an activist, and other top stories:

• “Four Finalists To Replace Tim Johnson on November Ballot Talk” (WICD)

• “Urbana City Council Backs PTI” (WICD)

• “Group Studying Minor League Baseball Gets Help from UI Students” (WILL)

• “A Look Back at U of I Changes and Future” (WICD)

• “Champaign Street Named for Longtime Activist” (WILL)

• “Honorary Catherine Hogue Way” (UCIMC)

• “Police Are Looking For Two Men In Credit Union Robbery” (WICD)

• “Three Champaign Bank Robberies In Less Than A Week” (WAND)

• “Health Expert Calls New Energy Strips Harmful” (WAND)

• “Rantoul, Urbana School Districts To Get Race To The Top Money” (WILL)

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