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 (revised Apr. 7, 2011)

We welcome passionate and ideologically diverse views provided they are stated respectfully and with decorum. Hate speech, bigotry, insults, and trolling will not be tolerated. If the majority of Editors decides that your behavior is uncivil, we will ask that you change it or your commenting privileges may be suspended indefinitely.

Smile Politely reserves the right to delete any message for any reason.

Editors

Annalisa Rodriguez

Ben Valocchi

Ben was born and raised in the Urbana faculty ghetto. He really likes live music and indian food.

Caleb Curtiss

Caleb Curtiss grew up in Champaign. He likes sandwiches and pizza and beer. Despite being undersized and out of shape, he has great intangibles and can take a charge without becoming emotionally invested in his own physical well being.

Jeremiah Stanley

JoAnne Cammarata

Living the life of exile in the midst of corn & soybeans.

Joel Gillespie

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

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 King

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 Fein-Bursoni

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.

Patrick Singer

Robert Hirschfeld

Seth Fein

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.

Tracy Nectoux

Tracy grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana, but escaped that hell hole in the mid-90s, never to return (the occasional wedding or funeral being the exceptions). She works for the University of Illinois for 40 hours a week, and spends the rest of her time wallowing in Earthly delights. She's a patron of the arts and a gay rights activist, and volunteering for Smile Politely is one of the best decisions she's ever made.

Writers

Beth Dillman and Scott Weber

Ernie Blackwelder & Cynthia Voelkl

Laura Allured and Ray Mitchell

Liz Benoit & Jeremiah Stanley

North 1st St Farmers Market

Rachael Dietkus-Miller

Robert Hirschfeld & Matt Campbell

Robert Hirschfeld and Joel Gillespie

Smile Politely Editors

Smile Politely Writers

William Gillespie and C.D. Scoggins

Zack Adcock

Zack Grant

Past Writers

A.B. Koontz
Abram Book
Adam Scott
Alisa DeMarco
Alyssa Schoeneman
Amanda Shively
Andrew Ang
Angela Delgado
Betsi Freeman
Bob Steltman
Brian Kagel
Brian Reed
Caitlin Cremer
Carly Doenges
Carlye Wisel
Chris Maier
Chris Wiberg
Clint Popetz
Don Gerard
Donnie Ferguson
Ellyn Newell
Elyse Russo
Emily Carlson
Eric Heisig
Gordon Oyer
Jaclyn Smith
Jake Thomas
Jane Boxall
Jenna Weglarz-Ward
Joshi Fullop
Justin McLeod
Kristin McCann
Laura Bandy
Lena Singer
Lindsey Gates Markel
Liz Jackson
Logan Moore
Marissa Monson
Matt Cohn
Matt Fender
Mike Armintrout
Mike Coulter
mrfred
Nathon Jones
Pat Schmitz
Patrick McCarthy
Phil Sudderberg
Ralph Petrella
Ria Roberts
Richard Anderson
Rose Marshack
Ryan Neaveill
Samantha Lee
Scott Frankel
Theo Long
Thom Herakovich
Thomas Cyrs
Thomas Gould
Tim Bailey
Tim Brookes
Tim Green
Tim Hayden
Tommy Griscom

Most Recent Comments

Pamela - Are the roasteries in Seattle as clean as CSR? It always disturbs me a little that it is so clean in there.

By Brian to the entry 'Columbia Street Roastery blends with the best on 02/06/12.

Now you will be able to munch on pizza and shrimp cocktails in downtown Urbana (whilst a DJ spins?) after your dissolution of marriage http://www.news-gazette.com/news/business/features/its-your-business/2012-02-05/its-your-business-new-pizza-place-downtown-urban Is this a franchise of a Reno pizza joint, or just a coincidence of name? http://www.blackrockpizza.com

By JPSherrill to the entry 'More C-U restaurants come and go on 02/06/12.

Signs someone is “fishing” for a factual anchor: 1. Starts call to radio with: “I’ve been an Illini fan for (XX) years” or “I’m a diehard fan,” as if somehow that unverifiable claim will justify the 5 minutes of B.S. that follows. 2. Makes reference to KenPom…

By Q-Tips to the entry 'Illinois bad, MSU worse, Izzo terrible on 02/06/12.

That’s what she said.

By kiel to the entry 'Illini pull out an ugly one on 02/04/12.

Black dog and Siam terrace is where I always go after my divorces.

By Ryan to the entry 'More C-U restaurants come and go on 02/04/12.

Love CSR. Apart from making my way through the regular roasts in 1/2 pound increments, I also like to pick up some of the little sample packets of the flavored stuff for when the lady and I feel like getting crazy. Sticky Bun is pretty nice.

By Mike Ingram to the entry 'Columbia Street Roastery blends with the best on 02/04/12.

If you happen to be getting a divorce, or fighting a DUI prosecution, downtown Urbana is a great place to eat.

By Rob McColley to the entry 'More C-U restaurants come and go on 02/03/12.

HUUUUUUGE fan of their Black Velvet roast…It makes up about 75% of my coffee intake. LOL CSR is definitely one of those Champaign institutions that I brag about to people not from here. :-)

By Mertz to the entry 'Columbia Street Roastery blends with the best on 02/03/12.

We like CSR too! We french press at home and I leave the lid off while it steeps—letting the ground beans bloom. Then, like in your tasting, I scoop off the top layer before pressing. We really need to invest in a burr grinder though, as I…

By Kirstin to the entry 'Columbia Street Roastery blends with the best on 02/03/12.

Confidential? In this state? Hahahahahahahhahahaha

By Not_again. to the entry 'LGBTQ participants needed for research study on community involvement on 02/03/12.

just confirmed: there will be white russians served. the art abides.

By isaac arms to the entry 'Weekender: February 3–5 on 02/03/12.

big lebowski at the art. mark it, dude.

By isaac arms to the entry 'Weekender: February 3–5 on 02/03/12.

There’s a great video promo out for “Company” too: http://vimeo.com/36077847

By Lindsey to the entry 'Weekender: February 3–5 on 02/03/12.

Wow, His Majesty took the time to answer your polite plea. It’s been a while since I spoke fluent arrogance, but allow this attempt at a translation: “I deeply regret the embarrassment…” = I wish we hadn’t got caught and it wasn’t a big deal really. “...and…

By Local Yocal to the entry 'An open letter to University of Illinois President Michael Hogan on 02/03/12.

I love the Guitars

By wilsonwasher23 to the entry 'SP Radio Podcast: Drew Phillips, Uncle John and local bluegrass on 02/03/12.

I had their tea at the Urbana Farmer’s Market when they first started out and it was great! Their tins recently caught my eye at Walnut Street Tea Company and my guests used it all up before I could even try it! Way to go Tiesta, stay…

By LH to the entry 'Tiesta Tea: A local success story on 02/02/12.

Im fine with missing ingredients and of course they fixed things what restaurant fights with the customer over things like that anymore. ( the way social media could affect them) My problem is that I am visiting you place of business within the first week of opening.…

By C-U Later to the entry 'Meatheads Burgers and Fries: A carnivorous delight on 02/02/12.

Thanks for that, Louis CK.

By isaac arms to the entry 'Pee stains on the Arctic on 02/02/12.

Your call to stay pissed is precisely why global warming fanatics will fail. Emotion has no place in hard science. The problem with the issue of global warming is that is has been pumped full of emotion and politics, and the science is becoming a by-product. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204301404577171531838421366.html?KEYWORDS=global+warming

By Louis CK to the entry 'Pee stains on the Arctic on 02/02/12.

Clearly the Postal Officials in favor of this cannot make an economic argument, as this saves the post office $0. What is their rationale?

By King Mo Lawal to the entry 'Please don't close the campus post offices on 02/02/12.