There are 45 restaurants participating in this year’s Experience Champaign-Urbana’s Restaurant Week, and many menus are now available online. From favorites like Nando’s arancini and Smith Burger Co’s smashburger on a Ye Olde doughnut to …
At the end of last year, Four Osprey debuted their new Veggie Van. The Four Osprey organization works to promote the acceptance of an ecocentric value system and was instrumental in creating the Mobile Market, …
It’s about to get bitter cold here in Central Illinois. The Cunningham Township Supervisor’s office shared a helpful post about warming centers in Champaign-Urbana, and what they are able to offer. This is also a …
So far, we have not had nearly as much snow action as people in the western portion of our state, but that might change in the next couple of weeks. If you are someone who …
New year, and it’s a new weekly column for thirsty readers. Every Thursday starting with this one, I’ll highlight something to sip in Champaign-Urbana. It might be a cool cocktail, an interesting beer, delicious wine, …
The 2020 census revealed that Urbana’s population decreased by about seven percent, which means they now need to come up with a new map of city council wards to ensure that they are balanced in …
*The application period for this position has closed. Thank you for your interest! Champaign-Urbana has a vibrant arts community, one that includes the University of Illinois as well as Parkland. We are looking for an …
Gallery Art Bar in Urbana is gearing up for a unique musical treat with the launch of its new concert series, “Urbana Sandwich”. Conceived by Emily Otnes, a musician originating from Urbana and co-founder of …
If one of your goals in this new year is to venture into the world of nonprofit entrepreneurship, then the Community Foundation of East Central Illinois has a way for you to get started. They …
Holiday tree pickup is happening in Champaign and Urbana this week, but if you didn’t get it out to the curb, don’t panic! Through January 14th, you can take your tree to one of three …
Last month, United Way of Champaign County announced that they would be partnering with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a program that puts free books in the hands of kids five and under. Now, on the …
The Urbana Arts & Culture Program, the arts and culture commission of the City of Urbana, has applications open or about to open. Urbana’s Poet Laureate application is open through 11:59 p.m. on January 21st. …
The 23rd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Countywide Celebration is coming up on January 14th, and the committee will be honoring three individuals that “work to uphold the principles and ideals of Dr. King.” …
Lucky Moon Pies and More bakery’s new location is now open in Mahomet. Opened last Wednesday, the bigger space has dine-in seating and an expanded menu. In addition to sweet baked goods, there’s a whole …
There’s a new burger in town. A Mahomet food truck called Patty Daddy’s slings single and double smashburgers, fried chicken, waffle fries, mozzarella sticks, and a pretzel cheddar patty, which the truck calls a “single …
Today the Smile Politely publishing year comes to a close, as does our Year End Donation Campaign. If you’ve donated over the past couple of weeks, thank you! Asking for contributions from our readers was a new thing in …
Ted Underwood, professor of Information Sciences and English at the University of Illinois was featured in Business Insider for his research on artificial intelligence and how it can be a positive thing when used in …
Parkland College’s men’s basketball team is ranked number one this week in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II group. The team is currently undefeated, their best start in the program’s history (12-0); …
This Saturday Hunny Bunny Bakes at The CU Flower House is doing a Holiday Cookie Walk. It’s like a cookie exchange of sorts, but you don’t have to make the cookies. People who make cookies …
The Main Scoop ice cream parlor will open today on Main Street in Downtown Urbana across from Sakura Japanese restaurant and Rick’s Bakery. This is the third location for the The Main Scoop. The original Mahomet location opened …
Are you buying a gift for a gamer this year? Simplified Computers might be a good place to look. They have specific accessories that can enhance the gaming experience, and if you want to go …
Urbana’s beloved Rose Bowl Tavern is set to host its first-ever Rose Bowl Holiday Spectacular, promising a blend of holiday cheer, musical comedy, and communal spirit. Scheduled for Saturday, December 16th, the event invites attendees …
Two of my favorite things at Maize are the mole wings and potato flautas, and I don’t have to choose between them because they’re both on the appetizer sampler at The Station location. With three …
Fiala Brothers Brewery & Beer Hall in Uptown Normal is hosting a chili cookoff on January 7th. The event will raise money for WishBone Canine Rescue, which is very important to me because that is …
Chicago Farmer & the Fieldnotes will be welcoming in 2024 during their much-anticipated Two Year’s Eve celebration at Rose Bowl Tavern. This two-day musical extravaganza, starting on Saturday, December 30th and culminating on Sunday, December …
The dedicated gluten-free bakery RegCakes opens their new location in Savoy this Saturday. In the space beside Senator’s Inn, the new bakery will offer a surprise gluten-free treat on the menu during special hours (9 …
The AI Alliance is “a community of technology creators, developers and adopters collaborating to advance safe, responsible AI rooted in open innovation” that was launched by IBM and Meta. Grainger will be joining a host …
Illinois Soul will be a radio station that, according to Executive Director Moss Bresnahan, “will not only celebrate Black voices, history, and culture, it will connect listeners to the issues that matter most to those …
If you have a real tree this year, be sure to note when the cities of Champaign and Urbana will be picking them up from the curb. Champaign Urbana Christmas trees will be collected on …
Look, December is a busy month. Over the years I have taken various tasks off of my list that were just consuming too much of my time (ahem sending holiday cards). Maybe one of your …
Recently, Watson’s Shack & Rail reduced their weekday lunch services to just Fridays, but they added a new lunch menu just for that day with some tasty new options. Now you can get some of …
San Miguel Panadería in Urbana opened one year ago on December 14th, and to celebrate the bakery’s first anniversary, San Miguel is giving away free Mexican hot chocolate and tamales by La Mixteca this Thursday. …
There are still two more days to Dial-A-Carol. This annual event is the longest running tradition in University Housing (Snyder Hall has hosted it since 1960). Thanks to a group of mostly student volunteers, you …
The dine-in location for Mahomet’s Lucky Moon Pies and More is set to open soon. Five days a week, the new bakery will offer a variety of pie, cookies, muffins, scones, and cake. In addition …
Following the remarkable legacy of Summer Camp, the Midwest’s renowned music, arts, and culture festival, 2024 heralds the dawn of a new era with Solshine: A Music & Arts Reverie. Set to captivate audiences at …
Twin City Theatre Company has announced its 2024 season, with performances at Alto Vineyards, Parkland College Theatre, and Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center: Learn more on the Twin City Theatre Company website.
The Association for Black Culture Centers hosted their 2023 conference and awarded the University of Illinois’ Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center “Cultural Center of the Year.” This award “recognizes the work of a center’s …
Do you have those movies that you never get tired of watching no matter how many times you’ve seen it? Drumline is one of those for me. I was in marching band in high school, …
Carle Illinois College of Medicine has partnered with MediView XR, Inc. to “integrate a powerful new augmented reality-based hologram system in its education, innovation, and clinical programs.” From the Carle Illinois website: Live ultrasound images …
ICYMI, we’ve begun our second donation campaign. We are so grateful for all of you who have contributed this week! This time around we are offering a $50 gift card to Martinelli’s Market Bakery and Deli in …
Willard Airport has not had any food options beyond vending machines since Einstein Bros. Bagels closed last spring. Now, in spring 2024, there will be a new cafe and retail space providing a wealth of …
The Slavic Reference Service at the University of Illinois has a new exhibition in the North-South Corridor of the Main Library. The exhibition is title “The End of an Empire (1288-1922)” and “dedicated to the …
Architecture photographer Josh Lipnik (Midwest Modern on Twitter) has been posting photos of Champaign-Urbana buildings for a few weeks now, and Wednesday he threw a little history into the mix with photos of a building …
More bikeability is an important thing in a mid-sized community like ours. If you are someone who bicycles in Champaign, here’s an opportunity to offer your thoughts on their Bicycle Implementation Plan. There are 16 …
In November, MTD was featured in a segment of Military Makeover, a show where Montel Williams does home makeovers for military members. From the segment description: Access to public transportation provides a better quality of …
The next installment in our Instagram Story Takeover series takes place this Saturday, December 9th. Clara de la Fuente will be taking over our story for the day, showcasing her work and what it is like …
The French bread pizza sandwich at Manzella’s Italian Patio is superb. I had it at the Champaign trattoria yesterday as part of the restaurant’s lunch special of minestrone and a half sandwich ($13.25). Because the …
Kimchi Factory in Champaign is closed, and now a new restaurant called Ten Seconds Yunnan Rice Noodle is open in its place. On the menu, find a variety of rice noodle bowls and hot fried …
On Friday, December 15th at 7:30 p.m., Illinois Public Media and The Arthouse Experience at the Virginia Theatre are presenting one hour of the four hour documentary The Black Church: This is Our Story, This …
