When I first took this position as Culture Editor, I kept asking myself: What exactly is the best way to sum up the culture of Champaign-Urbana? Where should I start? It turns out, what makes the culture of Champaign-Urbana so incredible are the people in this community. From touring the Ricker Library with Siobahn Micissick, to learning the history of Homecoming, to interviewing the one and only Spank Knightly, I have gotten to meet and learn from some amazing people this year.
— Louise Knight-Gibson, Culture Editor
BEST response to car accidents: Adding stop signs
After a handful of accidents at McKinley and Green Streets in Champaign, the city conducted a traffic study and decided to put in a four-way stop at McKinley and Green and Russell and Green. This is why we pay taxes and have public works and urban planning and other city departments that make changes when something is wrong. This is government working to make things better and safer for people! (JH)
BEST festival revival: Matsuri
For the first time since 2019 the Matsuri festival returned to Japan House. In my interview with Director Diana Liao, we chatted about the way the pandemic affected Matsuri, but how it was going to come back stronger than ever. Her passion and enthusiasm was evident in our chat and in the details that went into the festival itself. The experiences, entertainment options — and of course the food vendors — were fantastic. C-U showed up in a big way, clearly excited to have the festival back. (LKG)
BEST new pride celebration: Pride in Danville
The Vermillion County Pride Coalition hosted their inaugural Pride celebration in Danville this year. In my interview with board vice president, Bonnie Marrow, we chatted about her expectations prior to the event. There was a great turnout and so much support from local establishments and community members. (LKG)
BEST manifestation of a long-running project: The Kingfisher mascot costume
We have talked a lot about our favorite student-created mascot and why the Kingfisher is such a great option. This summer, the students behind the Kingfisher finished the mascot costume and the unofficial mascot has been showing up at all sorts of campus events this semester. After all of the work that went into the costume, it’s so fun to see the students and community embracing it. (LKG)
BEST new business dedicated to accessibility: Equability
This year Hilary Pham launched Equability here in C-U. The adaptive clothing company believes in change[ing] clothes, so people don’t have to. Equability sells their own adaptive clothing, but will also adapt people’s own clothes for them. (LKG)
BEST thing that elicits excitement, even though most of us don’t know what it really means: World’s First Public Quantum Network
The Grainger College of Engineering recently launched the world’s only quantum network this year. I won’t do you any favors by trying to explain it to you, but you can watch this video or read our recent article if you want to know more about it. (LKG)
BEST use of PulsePoint: Saving the life of a beloved C-U resident
PulsePoint is an app that helps first responders connect with people in need. This fall it helped Shannon Walter, a Champaign Park District employee and CPR instructor, save the life of Lester Lindsey, a longtime employee of the Original Pancake House, who was in cardiac arrest. Walter performed CPR and saved his life. Lindsey is still in recovery and you can donate to his GoFundMe account. (LKG)
BEST Enemies to Lovers moment: These two love birds
Having electric bikes that you can rent all around town is a great transportation option. There are two competing companies, Bird and Veo, but they had a sweet moment up in this tree together. We really love to see them getting along. (LKG)
BEST way a global phenomenon showed up here: Conservator Barbie
The Preservation and Conservation department at the University of Illinois Library is always thinking of creative things, but our favorite this year was conservator Barbie, which was created this summer during the Barbie movie’s domination at the box office. The makeover included a sparkly sewing frame, a stippling brush, a broken case binding, and a gingham book snake. (LKG)
BEST community response to a new business: LGBTQ+ response to Anthem
Smile Politely has been a big advocate for queer friendly spaces. So when we announced that a new inclusive bar was coming to Downtown Champaign, it was amazing to see the response from all of you. We received so many comments and emails expressing excitement about finally having an inclusive and safe space for queer people in C-U. (LKG)
BEST voting accessibility development: Permanent vote-by-mail
So this technically went into effect in 2022, but it’s important enough to be included, especially since we are gearing up for a big (and likely messy) election cycle. While we watch Republican-run states make voting increasingly more difficult, particularly for marginalized communities and people of color, we can thank the universe and JB Pritzker that we are in a state that realizes the importance of voter access. Our own Champaign County Clerk and Recorder Aaron Ammons has been a proponent of vote-by-mail, and is continuing to make it a priority in our elections.The new permanent vote-by-mail option allows you to sign up once, and then receive a mail-in ballot for each election cycle. If you decide to vote in person, that’s okay! I’ve done that before. If you don’t want to get a ballot in the mail, then don’t sign up. You do you! Choice is a great thing! (JM)
BEST local emu: This emu
The emu doesn’t have a name (yet!), but it has captured our hearts and imaginations for a better part of 2023. We are inspired by its tenacity and can relate to its need to pursue a better life, free from the hindrances of society. I cannot say it better than Editorial Board member and SP writer Mara Thacker:
“I think we all crave freedom to be majestically awkward and move freely within the world, to live without the constant threat of oppressive politics and fascism hanging over our heads, jamming a conservative Christian ideology down our throats. This stupid bird evading authority is a symbol of hope for a better future. We are all the emu. Long live the emu!” (JM)
Jessica Hammie, Louise Knight-Gibson, and Julie McClure contributed to this article.