University of Illinois’ Assistant Professor of African American Studies Dr. Bobby J. Smith II wrote a new book called Food Power Politics, and it’s getting national recognition. Food Power Politics has been nominated for the …
This week amongst our Smile Politely editor group, we were just floored by the amount of trash that was collected by volunteers for the Boneyard Recycling Day back on April 20th. 23,000(!) pounds of trash! …
Allerton Park & Retreat Center is already an incredibly beautiful place to check out and visit, no matter what time of year. This weekend, they’re hosting their inaugural Bluebell Festival, which they describe as a …
Downtown Champaign’s Toast to Taylor Street block party series returns next month on Saturday, May 18th. Mark your calendars for the other three Saturdays of the series, too: June 22nd, August 24th, and September 14th. …
Our Opinion section is mostly populated with our weekly Editorial Board offerings, but every once in a while someone with an opinion to share will reach out with a pitch. We’ve published articles on the foul smells emanating from Kraft, the emu, school district issues, jail …
This week, Champaign’s ISHI will have ramen pop-ups featuring Chef Ken Ishibashi’s signature ramen. For four days, the Japanese restaurant’s usual lunch menu will be slimmed down to a few dishes because it’s all about …
April is quite the busy month in Champaign-Urbana. On April 6th, the University of Illinois School of Art & Design MFA students celebrated the completion of their degrees with an opening reception at Krannert Art …
In just a few weeks, YWCA of Champaign County is hosting their next event at the Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center. From 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 11th, the Empowering Black and Brown Women …
Today, the Illinois Department of Transportation placed signs along I-74 in honor of the late Senator Scott Bennett. State Senator Paul Faraci (D-Champaign) joined elected officials, community members, as well as Bennett’s friends and family …
Pretty soon, market season will transition over to the outdoor markets in Champaign and Urbana. For now, you should stop by Land Connection‘s final Winter Market indoors at Lincoln Square Mall this Saturday from 8 …
As we approach the end of April, we’re looking ahead to May. Thankfully, our community has a variety of resources that can help you or a loved one in a time of need. Talking about …
The United States Postal Service processing and distribution center on Mattis Ave is going to be modernized into a local processing center and people are not happy. Earlier this year, we wrote an editorial about …
This Thursday, I’m thirsty for the masala tea at Kohinoor Indian Restaurant. The extremely rude cold weather we’re having this close to May is making me crave something warm and cosy. Paired with the restaurant’s …
Having been on display for just nearly a month now, here is your last chance to check out this exhibition at Spurlock Museum of World Cultures. We’ve featured the work of artist, writer, and photographer …
The Prairie Rivers Network is hosting a “Save Our Trees” benefit concert at Rose Bowl Tavern featuring Chicago’s Nathan Graham, known for his soul-stirring fusion of South Side blues and Nashville Americana, alongside the local …
The annual stroll around Downtown Champaign returns on Saturday, May 4th, as Royse & Brinkmeyer and Champaign Center Partnership are once again teaming up to present it. From 2 to 6 p.m., you can make …
The 2020 Census revealed that Urbana’s population declined by seven percent, and with it, there’s a shortfall of $750,000 annually for the next ten years due to the undercount. The City of Urbana has put …
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts invites all teachers, school district administrators, and parents who homeschool their kids to visit and learn more about their programming for young people for the 2024-25 academic year. The …
Every so often, University of Illinois Press publishes an update in their blog about what’s going on in their world at the moment. During the first quarter of the year (wait, we’re already nearing May, …
I was reading Alyssa’s recent review of Columbia Street Roastery’s offerings and couldn’t help but highlight their collaboration with Fiala Brothers Brewing in Normal (who has great grilled cheese, by the way). Their brewery opened …
Back in January, Julie wrote about how the University Library was calling for help to construct a 60,000 piece puzzle of the world. Frankly, it is hard to wrap my mind around such a feat …
This weekend, my husband and I had a casual date at Triptych in Savoy, and the food truck that night was La Gueras Kitchen. That truck opened last summer, and I’ve been wanting to try …
There are few things that trigger nostalgia more than food. Whether it’s a spot you grew up going to on Saturday mornings, or a favorite late night hangout, a place that has good memories is …
Tuesday night this week, the AI Club at UIUC (AI@UIUC) is gearing up to transform The Canopy Club into a hotspot for innovation, inclusion, and incredible music with their State-Of-The-Arts event. This unique gathering isn’t …
We see you sharing your opinions on Champaign-Urbana’s food and drink scene on our social media pages. Why not formalize them a little and contribute to our Food & Drink section? What’s required? It’s helpful …
There’s a new Champaign-Urbana food truck called Los Goldos that serves Mexican cuisine. The blue truck’s menu features tacos de barbacoa in addition to street tacos, tamales, tortas, quesadillas, nachos, burritos, and even American-style tacos …
Are you out there enjoying Ebertfest? Their 25th anniversary celebration kicked off on Wednesday in Downtown Champaign, and if you haven’t figured out what you’re interested in checking out, be sure to look no further …
Biking enthusiasts, listen up. Here’s an opportunity to go on a fully supported bike tour and support these two local organizations at the same time. On Saturday, June 1st, Habitat for Humanity and Prairie Cycle …
There is one more opportunity to have the City of Champaign collect your yard waste, depending on where you live: Monday, May 13th (Blue Zone) and Monday, May 20th (Orange Zone). Check out the map …
Mike Kinsella, celebrated for his lyrical introspection and intricate guitar work in the band American Football, steps into the intimate setting of the American Football House in Urbana, for a special live performance as Owen. …
How serendipitous is it that Record Store Day falls on 4/20 this year? Music and cannabis consumption go together like peanut butter and jelly, so it feels appropriate to partake a bit (perhaps a gummy …
This Friday, April 19th, we’re handing our Instagram stories over to Sumer Hazeen of Roger Ebert’s Film Festival, aka Ebertfest. As you’ve seen on Smile Politely, the film festival is taking place this weekend, kicking …
This Thursday, I’m thirsty for the cucumber gimlet at Farren’s Pub. I’ve been craving something cold and refreshing with this week’s warm spring weather, and yesterday, I ordered the Downtown Champaign restaurant’s thirst-quenching cucumber gimlet …
On Thursday, April 18th WILL-TV’s Prairie Fire will air a segment from Deke Weaver’s CETACEAN (The Whale). The show opens with ten minutes of introduction to this unique interdisciplinary and multi-media performance, followed by 50 …
Japan House will be celebrating their 25th anniversary and Professor Emeritus Kimiko Gunji’s legacy of 50 years of teaching next month. The full weekend celebration will include a book signing, tea ceremonies, a celebration dinner, …
Common Ground Food Co-op is providing yet another opportunity to learn more about sustainable eating and consumption practices through this day of learning at the very cool Kalyx Center for Sustainability in Monticello. If you’ve …
Each year, Springer Cultural Center hosts the Town & Country Amateur Art Show, giving aspiring artists in the area a chance to have their art on display. Those artists that submitted and were chosen have …
Rob Kanter is a photographer and an associate clinical professor at the University of Illinois in the school of School of Earth, Society, and Environment. He will be at The Urbana Free Library for his …
This Sunday, April 21st from 1 to 5 p.m., a student-led initiative by students at Carle Illinois College of Medicine will be hosting Diabetes Dash, which they’re putting on at Champaign Park District’s Martens Center …
University of Illinois Assistant Professor of English Corey Van Landingham has a new book of poetry, Reader, I, released today on Sarabande Books. If you’re unfamiliar with her work, take a look at this article from a …
On Monday, April 22nd, a celebration will be taking place to commemorate the connectivity between the University of Illinois and the Champaign County African American Heritage Trail. If you’re unfamiliar with the trail and how …
Small Business Development Center here in Champaign County is a great resource for businesses to utilize, offering training events, programs to help make your business successful, advising, and more. In a couple of weeks, they’ll …
Whether it’s visual or performance art, literature or film, Champaign-Urbana has always nurtured a vibrant arts community. We are looking for new contributors for our Arts section: You can see shows before they debut, talk to …
A national doughnut shop chain by the name of Parlor Doughnuts is opening in Champaign. The new Parlor Doughnuts will be located in the Old Farm Shops plaza at the corner of Mattis and Kirby …
This week ahead of the Roger Ebert Film Festival which runs Wednesday through Saturday, we get what may be one of my favorite features of Ebertfest week: the pre-festival symposium. The 2024 Chaz and Roger …
Last year, news broke that Maize Mexican Grill‘s original location at First and Green was going to be demolished in 2024. Their new restaurant inside the Illini Union has been up and running for some …
Julie recently featured Illinois Soul, the brand new radio station that “elevates Black voices, music, and culture throughout central Illinois, and online, with the power of public media”, so if this is the first you’re hearing …
University YMCA recently opened a new exhibition featuring painter Steven Boyd Hudson‘s work. The collection is on display now through August 11th. From the University YMCA’s website: The paintings in this new body of work …
There is an unbelievable amount of programming being offered through Urbana Park District this summer, and you should take a look at their Summer program guide to show you the way. From Crystal Lake Art …
