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About Us

Smile Politely is Champaign-Urbana's independent online magazine. We provide the community with a passionate, trustworthy, informed point of view on local music, arts, culture, food+drink, sports, politics and news. Our writers range in age from college undergrads to fifty-somethings, and with that diversity comes a wide array of political, cultural, social, and artistic bents, as well as an impressive wealth of experiences from which to reference. Such variety accurately reflects the hodgepodge that is Champaign-Urbana, a university town with a decidedly Midwestern flair. Smile Politely's editorial staff immerses itself in the community it calls home, and our writers' coverage of events reflects that dedication.

Whatever entertains you, informs you, excites you, or frustrates you, is all likely to be covered in our magazine. And if it's not, let us know. We're always open to suggestions that further expand our coverage. Readers are encouraged to establish their own free profile accounts to take advantage of our unique, interactive site.

Smile Politely publishes articles daily, Monday through Friday.


A note about comments

You are welcome to call us stupid, elitist, fuckheaded, pole-smoking, motherfucking, limp-dicked gashes, but be careful, because there's a line here somewhere around the area of personal appearance and our families (especially if it's not funny or involves the word "retarded", and especially if you're posting anonymously), that if you cross it, we'll be forced to delete your comment, woe unto you. We like making fun of people, too, so have at it, but it's our site, and we gots some rules.

Editors

Ben was born and raised in Champaign-Urbana, and now attends the U of I. He really likes live music and indian food.

Caleb Curtiss grew up in Champaign. He still lives there with his wife, Sarah, his dog Eileen (nickname: Floppy, Flopperella, Flopster, Flopper: the ugliest dolphin in the sea) and cat Buffy the Mouse Slayer (nickname: Taco, Fatty, Bufflecat). He likes giving his pets nicknames, and looks forward to having children so he can similarly humiliate them.

Jamie Newell can be found most weekends working on her novel at Aroma Café when she's not taking photos or sitting in a movie theater. After earning her bachelor's degree in creative writing at Columbia College Chicago, she settled in Champaign and has called it home for four years. Jamie loves to road trip, is a huge horse racing fan, and considers John Steinbeck a god. She also writes a blog about racing called Ghostsnapper.

Joel Gillespie grew up in Iowa, went to college in Indiana, and lives in Illinois. He tries to hide his prejudice against states that don't begin with I, but, let's face it, he is naturally suspicious of their intentions. If you have trouble sleeping, give him a call and ask about soybean processing. And whatever you do, never, never, never ask him for real estate advice.

John Steinbacher went to school here, then lived in Minneapolis, then lived in Toronto, now lives here again. His daughter is both Canadian and American, so he reserves the right to make fun of both countries. He has a Master's Degree in Public Policy from the University of Minnesota and has worked in health care and disability policy for some really cool organizations. He has edited all kinds of stuff, including a cake decorating magazine. None of this has anything do with music. Go figure.

Josh is a self-taught technologist with an interest in social justice. He spends much of his time at the Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center, dabbling with hacking and activism for fun and lack of profit. If he ever makes money as SmilePolitely's webmaster, it may help keep his helpfulness from becoming terminal.

Justine Bursoni hails from Chicago. (Yes, really Chicago, not the suburbs.) She tried as hard as possible to leave here, graduating after three years of Art History school. It was Custard Cup that forced her to stay. She now lives in downtown Champaign, is working on her master's in art education, makes art when she can, and runs her own photo blog based on consumer culture. She always smiles politely.

Seth Fein was born in Urbana and now lives in downtown Champaign. He owns and operates The Nicodemus Agency, is the founder and curator of Pygmalion Music Festival, and is an assistant talent buyer at The Canopy Club. He loves the Purdue Boilermakers and his wife's marinara sauce.

Most Recent Comments

{username}

What if the sideways alternatives are where Jacob actually grants them their wishes, but in ways they didn’t quite expect?  The elimination of one regret. Sayid gets to be with Nadia - although through his brother.  Maybe he ends up with her at the expense of his…

John Steinbacher avatar

The link has been updated. Thanks for alerting us.

Annie Weisner avatar

This also explains why I was starting to think Roses & Sake was a group of strange pagans from Vancouver.  This is when it pays to be a local.  My apologies to the true Roses & Sake, we’ll fix this ASAP!

Annie Weisner avatar

Ahh, shame on me.  I grabbed it directly off of Mike ‘N Molly’s website.  I’ll see if I can’t get it corrected on here (and maybe pass along the word to them as well).  Thank you, observant reader!

{username}

I’m with Brigham regarding the Acrylics set. Very XX-ish. Very good.

{username}

i think the roses & sake link is actually: http://www.myspace.com/rosesnsake  

Stef avatar

Dangit! Now I have to go home and try that cake. MMMmmMMMMmmmm looks goood. Cakey cakey cakey…

{username}

Very nice preview…I’m stoked to be seeing The Young Republic

{username}

I understood this totally differently than the other people that posted…this is what I got from it: - the more background you have going in, the more of the allusions you will understand when watching - afterwards, you can do a little research to fill in the…

{username}

Sorry about the lack of address and hours. All I can say is duuuh

Annie Weisner avatar

Amen.  When I told people I’ve lost 18 pounds since early October the number one response I get from women is concern.  18 pounds in four months is not unhealthy, quite the opposite for me.  But don’t give up on sugar, or become a vegan, or do…

emma reaux avatar

The whole self-acceptance idea is tricky in itself too. Are we supposed to self-accept by sitting around like bumps on logs, doing nothing but just appreciating and accepting ourselves? Life doesn’t happen like that. I like your point about pushing ourselves to do something greater. Self-challenge and self-reflection…

gillian gabriel avatar

lindsey - i certainly understand where you are coming from on that one.   and i just wanted to state for the record that in no way did i mean to imply that i am not a feminist (or a liberal) just that i find that whole…

Seth Fein avatar

Jason —   I know you are busy with your own thang too, but, whenever you are ready: http://www.smilepolitely.com/contribute/   Word.

{username}

re: body image—i find it very hard to hear my own true voice in the midst of all the other ones - either the voices from the “beauty industry” demanding total perfection or the ones from the feminist community (which i am a part of, proudly) demanding…

Tracy Nectoux avatar

Fair enough. This is my second attempt at writing for Smile Politely, and I agree that my playful review did not go over well, or at all like I intended it to.   Thank you, Jason, for your advice. I’ll definitely take it to heart.    

{username}

Tracy, I think there are two halves to this. Even if you are not familiar with the “history of the American film,“ you are always a few Google strokes away from digging up the basics on iconic films and actors that would have registered a big “A-HA!“…

Tracy Nectoux avatar

J, I promise I meant no disrespect. The last thing on my mind was disrespecting anyone.   I was at a disadvantage because I was reviewing a play whose subject matter I know very little about. And I was trying to be funny.   I enjoyed the…

{username}

I’ve never read a more pointless article, one so brazenly disprectful to its subject matter and to the reader. Please do not write any longer.

Rob McColley avatar

May I borrow your Grey Poupon?   I suppose I could write my news column one day, and my opinion column the next—as with Tatelines or Tupperlines.   But I don’t write a news column, so it seems like a lot of extra work.

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