Champaign Park District’s Spalding Park’s tennis courts were recently replaced, and the new collection of six courts looks great. (Frankly, anything would be an improvement to how it was.) There are lights, too. The best …
The Allerton Concert Series Presented by the Ayers Family kicked off last weekend with LOVE FOR ALLerton with Bad Medicine and Lipstick Jodi. The series continues with 4 more shows scheduled this summer, with the …
Flesor’s Candy Kitchen has a long history in Tuscola — one you can read a little about in Alyssa’s 2020 review of Sweet Greeks: First Generation Immigrant Confectioners in the Heartland, a book by co-owner …
Abbot’s Florist in Champaign is offering a make-your-own terrarium workshop on Tuesday, June 13th. When I was a kid, there were at least several elementary school projects involving two liter soda bottles, back when there …
Together with visiting artist E. Ainsley, Fresh Press Paper is hosting a Queer workshop series on papermaking this month. The workshops will take place on June 14th and 18th, registration is required, and tiered pricing …
Multi-Grammy Award-winning musician Pat Metheny, a performer whose unpredictability and versatility have won him legions of fans worldwide, is coming to the Virginia Theatre next week, accompanied by Chris Fishman and Joe Dyson. Metheny’s performance …
From June 5-30, you can donate new or gently used children’s books to any Busey location for their Busey Drives Generosity Campaign. Books can be dropped off at the service counter. You can also shop …
Today I tried the Shaggy panini at Cafe Kopi, and it was the exact right sandwich to eat at 10:30 in the morning. It was sort of a cross between a Monte Cristo and an …
On June 24th, cancer researchers, clinicians, and survivors with gather at the I-Hotel and Conference Center for a Cancer Survivor Summit. The event is sponsored by the center’s Cancer Research Advocacy Group — a group …
Champaign’s Bearology bubble tea shop looks like it will be hibernating forever. Located on the first floor of the Latitude Apartment building, the boba cafe’s signage is down, and Bearology’s online list of locations no …
Did you know that you can play indoor black light mini golf here in Champaign? Arrowhead Lanes has a course. It’s the perfect activity for the entire family on rainy or incredibly hot days, and …
The Urbana Park District is looking for a photo of Meadowbrook Park or the Wandell Sculpture Garden to grace the cover of their fall program guide. If you have taken a great one recently, or …
Turning left into traffic is one of the more annoying (at best) and/or dangerous (at worst) aspects to driving, and I’ve started making a note of the very many places in C-U where it’s just …
Have you ever gotten riled up about something and wish you had a platform to talk about it (more than just your own social media feeds)? Have you ever thought “I really wish someone was …
The Odyssey Project, a Humanities Research Institute program, offers an opportunity for low-income adult learners in C-U to take college courses for credit at no cost. They are now accepting applications for their Fall 2023 …
Per an email announcement, Hopscotch’s brunch outpost at The Literary in Downtown Champaign will be permanently closing on July 2nd. The Literary will remain open, as will Hopscotch’s John Street location. From the email: We …
If you’ve seen the Outside of Ordinary mural in downtown Champaign or the planters in front of Common Ground Co-Op, you’re already familiar with the work of Madelyn Witruk, the creative behind OhOk Things. Earlier …
I didn’t know that World Otter Day was actually a thing, but if it’s a reason to share some quality otter content then I’m all for it. Look at this cuties at Miller Park Zoo …
Smile Politely is committed to providing passionate, trustworthy, and informed points of view on a variety of topics that are important to our community. We rely on contributions from community members to write about how …
If you have noticed an increase in tango coverage here at Smile Politely, it’s because I’m a big fan and there are a lot of tango events in Champaign-Urbana. One new option is now available …
If you are strictly vegan or even into eating vegan occasionally, then get excited. Thirteen Champaign-Urbana restaurants are participating in a month-long Vegan Chef Challenge. While all of the participating restaurants regularly have a vegan …
Two of Illinois men’s basketball’s best are heading back to C-U for another season. Terrance Shannon Jr. will enter his fifth year, alongside Coleman Hawkins, who returns for his senior season in orange and blue. …
Champaign Park District has been hosting a Juneteenth celebration for several years now. This year’s event will be Saturday, June 17th from 12 to 3 p.m. at Douglass Park. There will be music and vendors …
If you haven’t, you’re missing out. The restaurant serves very good food, and has lunch specials for $13, Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. I met a friend for lunch a couple weeks …
There’s nothing quite like a delicious dinner on a beautiful patio in the summer. Champaign-Urbana is home to many a patio, but not all al fresco options are great. I’ll share two of my favorite …
Murals are probably my favorite form of public visual art. They take up space, demand attention, and are used for many purposes: political statements, personal artistic expression, or just to look really cool or aesthetically …
You can always count on the RBML to come through with solid events. They’ve covered the history of witchcraft, they craft exhibits about very specific pieces of history, they’ve done speed dating with books, and …
Friday Night Live is one of my favorite summer in C-U things, so I am thrilled that the season is finally here. Friday, June 2nd, will be the first event of the summer. I love …
As someone who enjoys alcoholic beverages, I am no teetotaler, so I don’t always go for mocktails. After last week’s mocktail lab hosted by Katie’s Cocktails though, I am definitely more interested than I’ve ever …
Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve has been the site of Freedom Fest and the accompanying fireworks for many years, and now the Champaign County Forest Preserve District has made the difficult decision to discontinue …
Look, I love Urbana’s Market at the Square. Love the vibes, love the many options. However, there are some advantages to swinging by the Champaign Farmers Market on Tuesday afternoon/evenings. Right now things like strawberries …
It’s this Friday, June 2nd. Are you going to place an order for your office? Or your loved ones? Or for yourself? Really, that’s the truest form of love: just order yourself some doughnuts! If …
Habitat for Humanity of Champaign County announced the date and theme for their 5th annual pet home building contest. Each year, build teams of varying construction abilities gather to create a concept and build a …
The other night I got a text from a friend that said, “I don’t feel like making dinner, want to meet us at Riggs?” I had actually never been there, so I said yes and …
If you are interested in learning more about the work that YWCA Champaign County does, or are looking to get involved as a board member, volunteer, or community advocate, this is your opportunity. They are …
Now that it’s hot, it feels like summer, and I want to do all the summery things. That includes picnic lunches. Looking for lunch to go, I stopped by Come Get This food truck at …
Did you know that we send out a weekly digest? It’s a little taste of articles and SPlogs we’ve published throughout the week, plus a preview of what’s to come the following week. Maybe you’ll …
I’ve found myself leaving a shopping trip at Harvest Market many a time, and having a little chuckle as I drive by this sign. Do people actually see it and then opt to exit right …
Each year, CUPHD provides breakfast and lunch five days a week for kids through age 18. On May 30th, they will begin serving breakfast from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Lunch service will start June 12th …
There are some things only townies can understand. One of those things, for me, is a sudden intense craving for an Irving’s breakfast sandwich from Bagelmen’s. For those that don’t know, this iconic breakfast sandwich …
National Italian Beef Day is a sacred day of celebrating Italian beef sandwiches on the fourth Saturday of May. If you want ideas of where to find one in Champaign-Urbana, I wrote about the sandwiches …
This week the New York Times featured University of Illinois alumnus Alan Ruck. In the interview about the end of Succession, the actor (who is also well known for playing Cameron in Ferris Bueller’s Day …
Maize is coupling with nuEra this summer making a one-stop spot for lunch and cannabis. Urbana’s nuEra will host the Maize taco truck Monday through Friday in the dispensary parking lot all summer. Though I …
This public workshop, part of the Violins of Hope music series, offers an engaging introduction to klezmer music, taught by acclaimed musicians Jake Shulman-Ment, Abigale Reisman, and Kurt Bjorling. Attendees, regardless of prior experience, will …
Last year when I spoke with Nadya Mason, Director of Beckman Institute, she emphasized the educational outreach component of the center: I think of science as more than just being in a lab all of …
There aren’t many people that have the opportunity to visit the South Pole, with tourist trips costing in the tens of thousands. But, if you are graduate student in Astronomy, and an NCSA CAPS Fellow …
It’s the end of the month which means the Literary has finally announced their June event line up. In addition to the usual suspects including their many varied book clubs, this month they are also …
Check out a variety of Urbana parks, and hear from local musicians, at Neighborhood Nights this summer. This annual summer concert series happens on Wednesday nights, May 31st through July 26th. All concerts are free, …
This week my spouse and I treated ourselves to a nice weekday breakfast at Sammy’s. It’s one of my favorite breakfast spots in C-U; they have really good French toast. That’s what I ordered: the …
