Culture

The City of Urbana is developing a comprehensive plan, and you can be a part of the process. 

Andrew recaps last month's weather, and predicts a frigid February.

Tom thinks you should take your Valentine's Day date to Research Park, and he has some compelling reasons.

Like so many other organizations and businesses, The Urbana Free Library had to change the way they served their patrons this past year. 

Through all of the ups and downs of this Illini men's hoops season, these are some questions Will ponders for this roller coaster of a team.

Abbie Frank, owner of Bluestem Hall, shares her plan to transition the venue to a nature school. 

Three Champaign-Urbana residents share how they are reinventing traditions and creatively connecting with people near and far during these challenging times.

Julie talks with Justin Micháel Hendrix, an activist and write-in candidate for Champaign City Council.

Jaclyn speaks with the owners of Titan Games about creating stories and connecting with others through fantasy role-playing. 

Andrew recaps a mostly mild December.

Spending our dollars locally is more important than ever this strange holiday season.

Here is a shining example of what an urban park can be, and how preservation and time make for incredible spaces to enjoy a city. And don't pass by the chance to click the link in the post to read a wonderful article about some recent history of the park, and its namesake family, written by celebrated local reporter Julie Wurth. 

Tom goes searching for elaborately painted storefront windows and finds a few gems. 

Tias investigates new trends in dog adoption, and talks to owners why they are deciding to adopt now.

This park is not really a park any longer as much as it is a gateway to one of the more magnificent “park” projects the City of Champaign took on and completed in the past few decades. Still though, it is a park by taxing body standards, and we are gonna assess it as we do! 

Here are the articles and SPlogs that garnered the most attention in 2020.

Julie takes a look at how the City of Urbana has utilized grants to provide relief for businesses and community members during the pandemic.

This 5.25 acre park on the corner of Neil and Bradley in Champaign was named for Hazel Iungerich, who spent thirty years on the Champaign Park District Board. It's got plenty to enjoy, if you choose to make the trek to be there. 

These dog parks simply don't cut it for this community. We owe more to the people who pay taxes, and goddamnit, we owe more to our four legged friends, no matter how idiotic they are. 

Andrew recaps a shockingly mild November. 

Evidence of the expansive Illinois Traction Railroad system still lingers in Central Illinois and beyond. 

Centennial Park in west Champaign encompasses a massive 70 acre piece of land, and for good reason. Inside of its borders we have a children's petting zoo, a badass public pool, the Leonard Recreation Center, Cannonball Hill, a great playground for kids to get dirty, and so much more. 

The Illini Men’s basketball team is ranked #5 in the nation.

How do mentors continue to connect with mentees during COVID-19? Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Illinois (BBBSCIL) is answering that question.

The Champaign-Urbana chapter of SURJ offers resources to help you show up instead of disengaging. 

There was always more to Andy Dallas than what he was showing us, and if you knew his reputation, you knew that. 

With this fall's season starting this week, Power Rankings are back for a team which has shaped up to be one of the best Illini hoops squads in quite some time.

A truly great park in the north part of Urbana, King has been developing neighborhood events and grade school friendships since 1967. Plus, a tremendous sculpture, walking paths, a playground, and an open field that is ripe for some goal posts and a few ten yard gains. 

Tias checks in with martial arts schools in and around Champaign-Urbana to find out how the pandemic has affect their operations and how they continue to serve their students through this unusual time.

This tiny park in the heart of North Champaign just celebrated fifty years and has basketball courts and a nice little walking path named in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

This little nugget of a park sits just north of Maynard Lake, which is the closest thing this city has to a “lake life” community. The park is just delicious gravy for those who live nearby. 

The election may be over, but there is still work to do. 

In honor of Community Foundations week, Julie spoke to Joan Dixon and Angie Hatfield Marker of Community Foundation of East Central Illinois about the unique way the foundation is nurturing local nonprofit organizations. 

Year of the Park continues with a closer look at this Savoy park.

Here's where you'll be able to find updates about the 2020 election, local with some national races mixed in as well.

Andrew recaps a pretty typical October, weather-wise. 

You can defend the election by interrupting and correcting disinformation and false claims about the election process.

It is the crown jewel of natural areas to explore in Champaign County. Dive in to Lake of the Woods a bit more with this video feature, and then go vote YES tomorrow to better fund the operations at Champaign County Forest Preserve District.

The newly remodeled Glenn Park is the importance of civil engineering and creative design on display. What was once something of a throwaway space has been redesigned into a truly hidden gem. Nevermind the traffic on Mattis; you can't hear it at all when you are in the park. 

Tom finds some of Chambana's creepiest trees, so you can visit them or avoid them depending on your tastes. 

Situated on the same plot of land as Parkland College, this expansive park is massive at 104 acres of land. And there are a lot of features to explore, no matter your interests. 

Did you know that some of the earliest texts about the real history of witchcraft can be found right here at Illinois Rare Book and Manuscript Library?

There are parks that define communities in every city and town across the world. In Urbana, Carle Park does that work, and keeps getting better year in and year out. 

Washington Park is really just called Frat Park. It has a sinful history. We should try to 

Now is the time to cast your vote, and SURJ outlines how white privilege shows up during that process.

The Altgeld Chimes are turning 100. Cope offers a look back at their history as the U of I campus comes together to celebrate. 

Founded in 1874, Beardsley is the oldest neighborhood park in Champaign. And its namesake founder, George F., had a helluva run here in Champaign. Click on this article to learn more about him, and what he left us to enjoy after he passed. 

Chaundra Bishop wants to employ her background in public health to expand the role of the coroner in Champaign County.