SPlog

Just recently, I wrote about researchers at Beckman Institute finding that a regular yoga practice can improve executive functioning, and in turn improve short term memory. It also confirmed that it does indeed reduce stress …

This Saturday, May 20th, the community is invited to The Crow at 110 gallery to see the AIR Art Show. AIR is Alliance for Inclusion and Respect, and it’s a community collaboration that “is cultivating …

Have you seen it yet? It’s a giant gumball machine, with wrapped candies hanging from the ceiling. Take a look: You can also watch this short video that takes you through the install, posted on …

Canadian musician, producer, and YouTube sensation Andrew Huang has been making waves in the music industry with his educational and entertaining videos. With a whopping 2.3 million subscribers, his channel is a hub for all …

The Spurlock Museum, The Champaign and Urbana Park Districts, Urbana Arts and Culture, and 40 North are collaborating to host The Great Artdoors which award grants to 11 local artists. Each $1000 stipend will be …

Moccasin Creek Festival is an annual 4-day music festival held June 22nd through June 25th at Lake Sara in Effingham, Illinois. The festival celebrates great songwriters and Americana music, featuring genres like folk, bluegrass, alt-country, …

As part of their summer Musical Food Tour, Monarch Events Center, formerly the Monarch Brewing Company, is hosting Tango and Tapas on May 25th. The event will feature a tango band, a performance by local …

Last night marked the debut of a brand new band, comprised of three friends who share a strong musical bond with one another. Despite their very direct ties to the venue and their plethora of …

THOTCRIME, a multinational cybergrind quartet with ties to Champaign-Urbana, is gearing up for their upcoming tour in June. In support of their album, D1G1T4L_DR1FT, the band plans to perform in various cities from the East …

Juneteenth is coming up June 19th, and MTD is launching an exhibit commemorating the celebration. From the press release: MTD’s Juneteenth Bus hits the streets today and offers the community a chance to read about …

During the day, you can find me at my other job as a reference librarian at the International Area Studies Library on campus. Imagine my surprise when I took a closer look this morning at …

After three years and $348 million in federal funding, the University of Illinois’ non-profit organization SHIELD Illinois is shutting down. Federal COVID mandates and emergency resources ended today, May 11th.  SHIELD offered saliva testing for …

The city is trying to encourage the 43 registered neighborhood groups in Champaign to become more active with a three-pronged campaign. From their newsletter, The Champaign Insider: Each of the City’s 43 registered groups are …

ISHI, the omakase restaurant in Champaign, announced that after this (Commencement and Mother’s Day) weekend, the Japanese restaurant will temporarily close for a summer break. Later in the summer, the owner plans to reopen the …

Do you remember this longrunning magazine show that ran on WILL? It debuted in 1992, and ran until 2010, and featured profiles of people and places in downstate Illinois, as well as music performances. Prairie …

Namken Nutrition is a shop that offers prepared meals with a focus on balanced and affordable options, and the Decatur business will be adding an Urbana location in Stone Creek Commons at the corner of …

Achilles Delgado and Simon Hamilton, two students at Urbana High School, were both recognized as part of the Congressional Art Competition earlier this week. Each year, the Congressional Institute sponsors a high school visual art …

The annual Hogchute Opry is Saturday, June 3rd at the Kalyx Center in Monticello. Festivities kick off at 3 p.m. The lineup includes: Tickets are $20. Follow along on Facebook for updates. Hogchute OpryKalyx Center436 …

The next Spring Residential Electronics Collection Event is coming up on May 20th, and you can still make a reservation to show up and get rid of all that random electronics stuff gathering dust and …

Last week, agriculture students at Parkland planted one of the fields that is part of United Way of Champaign County’s Farmers Feeding Families program. Part of 80 acres of land they rent from Unit 4, …

If you need to grab something last minute for the mother in your life, maybe swing by Martinelli’s on Saturday, May 13th. From 2 to 4 p.m., you’ll find Illinois Willows and Creative Hand Lettering …

WCIA’s Amanda Brennan posted a viewer video to Twitter yesterday, showing an emu crossing I-74 near the University Ave exit. Police tried to pursue it, but it ran away. They’re fast!  This is a good …

Pollen and Pastry, best known for their amazing desserts and floral arrangements have just opened doors at their very own brick and mortar pop-up shop. They announced last week that they will be permanently moving …

If you missed the Boneyard Arts Festival this year, you can check out this three minute video and recaps much of the event. There was a whole heck of a lot of stuff happening for …

After much anticipation, Fernando’s new brick-and-mortar restaurant will open on Friday, May 12th in the former Super Taco space near Cloud9 dispensary in North Champaign. Fernando’s very first taco truck opened in 2016, and a …

This is one of the cool things about campus in the summer. Every Thursday at 9 p.m., throughout the summer, the Illini Union Board hosts a movie on the quad. Bring a blanket and or …

On May 17th, the Visit Champaign County Foundation will be hosting the 10th annual Toast to Tourism at Carmon’s in Downtown Champaign. Each year, they honor businesses and organizations that are devoted to making Champaign …

Each year, The Golden Apple Foundation awards teachers in Illinois that have “lasting, positive effects on students’ lives and school communities.” It was recently announced that Kim Tate, 5th grade teacher at International Prep Academy, …

Back in 2021, Urbana Park District was awarded a $2.5 million grant from the Illinois Park and Recreational Facility Construction Grant Program to help fund a brand new health and wellness center. After further contributions from …

In November, Avionics announced that they would be adding a new patio, and now that expansion is open at the coffee shop on First Street in midtown Champaign. On the north side of the building, …

The Holocaust Education Center of the Champaign-Urbana Jewish Federation is partnering with the Simon Wiesenthal Center to the bring Courage to Remember: The Holocaust, 1939-45 Traveling Exhibit to Champaign-Urbana. The exhibit will be on display at …

The Martens Center in north Champaign recently received a generous donation, as reported by the News-Gazette, from former Champaign Park District commissioner James Barham, allowing them to furnish their music studio with new equipment from …

Today is May 5th, and there are two burgers on special for today, both made with Maize Mexican Grill‘s pork. The food truck Smith Burger Co has a burger topped with Maize’s al pastor, and …

Dave Monk, known in Champaign-Urbana as Prairie Monk, passed away at the end of last year at 91. For years he maintained Downtown Champaign’s Pocket Prairie, which was demolished in 2018. You can read more …

Sean Mullen, an associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, teamed up with Beckman researchers Neha Gothe and Rosalba Hernandez to study the effects of virtual …

Now, the American Football house is owned by those who made it legitimately famous. The house, known for gracing the cover of the band’s landmark debut self-titled album, has been purchased collectively by the band, …

Big Thorn Farm and Brewery in Georgetown will open its gorgeous Tree Bar today, Friday, May 5th.  If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, maybe take a little drive out of town for …

Champaign Central High School is one of only seven schools invited to perform at the International Thespian Festival, which takes place June 19th through 23rd at Indiana University in Bloomington. More than thirty productions were …

Each year, Parkland students in the CobraVenture cohort spend a semester developing a business idea. The semester culminates in the pitch showcase, where they present their ideas to venture capitalists and startup experts in hopes …

If you haven’t found anything to do on Friday night that butters your muffins, then get them buttered at Loose Cobra starting at 8 p.m. The evening will be kicked off with Primitive Lights followed …

Drink wine and see the newest work from Jodi Adams at her solo opening exhibition and reception. Adams is a photographer and yoga instructor who uses her unique perspective to turn everyday points of view …

As we noted earlier this week, there are a handful of exciting markers of warm weather and summer fun in Champaign-Urbana, and Rose Bowl’s outdoor stage tent is one of them.  The parking lot tent …

Whether it’s visual or performance art, literature or film, C-U has always nurtured a vibrant arts community, and this is your opportunity to be a part of it.  We’re looking for some writers for this …

Last month, student innovators presented their startup company pitches to an array of judges, including faculty, mentors, past Cozad winners, and sponsors in the Cozad New Venture Challenge. Ninety teams participated in this demo showcase …

After passing out of committee last week, the full Danville City Council voted to pass an ordinance that would, according to WCIA’s reporting, “impose fines on anyone shipping or receiving abortion pills or supplies in …

Champaign’s Habitat for Humanity ReStore had a contest to name its resident mounted deer head (that is not for sale). After careful counting of all the votes, the deer shall be called Habitat Hank. You …

By mid-May, Collective Pour bar will have food service again, this time by the food truck Smith Burger Co which is known for tasty smashburgers and tots. The truck will continue to serve food around …

The Odyssey Project, which provides educational opportunities for adults who have not previously had access to a college education, will once again be offering a free writing workshop during the month of June. The course …