Culture

Here are our suggestions for this last weekend of February.

Mara revisits an old favorite in Kennekuk Cove County Park.

A med student and MBA student are developing a bionic knee, inspired by their personal experiences with cerebral palsy.

From local history to live music, we have some great suggestions for this February weekend.

The Veterinary Diagnostic Lab at U of I was the first to detect COVID in a zoo animal back in April 2020. Today, they've tested 50 species from zoos across the country. 

If you choose to celebrate with someone else, or yourself, here are some ideas for snagging a last minute valentine. 

From a dry January to a snowy and stormy February, Andrew looks at what's in store for the remainder of winter 2022. 

In this month's column, Tom urges you to spend your Valentine's Day outside in the snow

There are a lot of options for weekend fun, whether you subscribe to all the Valentine's Day hoopla or not. 

Last week, a portrait of the late Albert R. Lee was dedicated at the University of Illinois. Julie spoke with commissioned artist Patrick Earl Hammie, and Lee biographer Vanessa Rouillon about Lee's life and legacy.

Channeling his own journey, BlackVest Money's DeShawn Williams is looking to help Champaign-Urbana confront their financial fears.

We are all ready to break out of our snow-induced isolation. Break out the shovels and snowblowers and rejoin the world this weekend. 

In light of his recent jersey honoring at the University of Illinois, a look back on how Ayo Dosunmu helped turn around the Illinois Basketball program.

Julie suggests five unique experiences to make your February worthwhile. 

Mara kicks off her new “Walkin' in the Woods” series with a review of the KRR Short Loop trail at Kickapoo State Park.

Don't let the dreary winter days get you down. We have some great suggestions for brightening up your weekend.

Nicole reflects on her experiences with the late Clarence Shelley, who was an influential leader and mentor to Black students at the University of Illinois.

Here are a few suggestions for experiencing C-U this weekend.

It's National Mentoring Month, and CU One to One Mentoring is looking for more mentors to make a difference in the life of a young person. Julie talks with a U of I student who found the support he needed from his mentor. 

Bearing the pandemic in mind, the Graduate Employees Organization at the University of Illinois is asking for better treatment, wages, and benefits as its contract lapses this year.

The Weekender returns with some suggestions for this long January weekend.

Andrew takes a look back at the major weather stories in 2021.

Don't let the cold and the COVID keep you locked up inside. Julie has some suggestions for making the most of the outdoors in January.

Our editors offer some suggestions for your New Year's celebration.

Golden Weather Goods owner Erin McGill is bringing a kinder narrative to Champaign retail via independent and local makers, thoughtfully sourced goods, and a philosophy of warmth and appreciation.

Tom goes hunting for a mystic orb of his very own and finds a host of options at Prairie Gardens.

Having found exactly where she wants to be in life, Champaign County Forest Preserve District Executive Director Lorrie Pearson enthusiastically shares the natural treasures that county residents can discover throughout the year.

N is for Number. A roll of the dice. A scratch-off to hold your breath for. The formula that describes the spirals of a pinecone. The charisma quotient of your Stout Halfling. And so much more.

BEST week continues with the best of Culture, a look at some of things we appreciated about life in C-U this year. 

We published a lot this year, and here are the ones that garnered the most attention traffic-wise.

Uptown Normal is a nice little shopping district just 50 miles to the west. 

The 2021 holiday season is upon us, and we have some recommendations for your gifting needs.

Literacy rates have drawn attention to how we teach children to read. The members of the East Central Illinois Chapter of Decoding Dyslexia have ideas backed by research about how to change the system so that everyone benefits.

Rithika speaks with Lindsay Haitz and Gina Johnson, the leaders of Blueprint, to gain a better understanding of the importance of mental healthcare and the variety of creative services they provide. 

Director Dawn Longfellow discusses the history, impact, and future of the campus staple addressing overlooked food insecurity and feeding the Champaign-Urbana community.

Julie takes a stroll around Lincoln Square Mall, noting how much has changed in recent years. 

Maggie Taylor discusses regenerative agriculture and autumn surprises are found at Delight Flower Farm.

Andrew recaps a rather gloomy October, one of the wettest on record.

Central Illinois did not escape the AIDS epidemic. A new exhibit at Spurlock Museum tells the stories of those who lost their lives. 

It's November already?

Two Champaign women share their experiences of providing care for their kids during the pandemic.

University of Illinois senior Alexa Smith recounts her experience writing and publishing a book during the pandemic while being a full-time student.

Tom meets all the unsavory creatures outside the Dallas & Company storefront and tries to rank them by spookiness.

Book sales at the Independent Media Center in Urbana will be hosted this Saturday and Sunday, with the proceeds going toward UC Books for Prisoners, a local organization that makes a statewide impact. 

Massage therapist and Reiki practitioner Jessica Nolen is encouraged to see “some movement back in the direction of holistic medicine as science is starting to catch up with ancient spiritual practices.”

Plantify owners Long Luu and Giang Pham discuss their store in downtown Champaign, plant care, and why we buy houseplants.

Andrew recaps a warm and dry September in C-U.