Smile Politely: SPlog

Local news headlines for Wednesday, May 23

Joel Gillespie — 2012-05-23T10:00:27+00:00

· “City Council Approves Bid From Integrys For Municipal Electricity Aggregation” (WICD)

· “Renovation proposed for Chem Annex” (N-G)

· “Small Fire At Urbana High School” (WAND)

· “Sam Banks named director of Don Moyer Boys & Girls Club” (N-G)

· “Veterans take Honor Flight” (N-G)

· “WILL: Culture a key to healthier immigrant communities” (C-U Citizen Access)

Permalink | Published in: Word

Auditions for RENT at the Station Theater

Seth Fein — 2012-05-23T01:39:01+00:00

The Celebration Company at the Station Theatre will hold auditions for RENT this Saturday the 26th at 3pm and Sunday the 27th at 6pm at the Station Theatre, 223 North Broadway in Urbana.

Please bring a 90 second song with sheet music.Please dress comfortably for a dance audition (or bring clothes to change into). No restrictive clothing, please. Dance shoes (character or jazz) are preferred, or if not available, tennis shoes are acceptable. Audition groups will be brought through every, oh, half hour... or so.

Men and Women 18-50. All roles are available.

Also, do not come in character. That would be exhausting to deal with and wouldn't necessarily endear you to anybody. :)

The show will run four weeks, July 12 – Aug 4, under the direction of Mikel Matthews. This show will close out the Station's landmark 40th season, so... y'know, no pressure.

Permalink | Published in: Word

Illini football’s Big Ten schedule announced…for 2015-2016

Patrick Singer — 2012-05-22T19:33:11+00:00

For people that can only plan a few months in advance, this is pretty laughable. For those diehards that are already planning their schedules three years in advance, the Big Ten schedules for Illinois football were announced today. For those of you (like me) who only function a few months ahead at a time and who want to know who the team is playing THIS fall, head over to FightingIllini.com for the 2012 schedule.

2015 Illinois Football Schedule
Sept. 5, 12, 19, 26 non-conference TBA
Oct. 3 at Penn State
Oct. 10 at Indiana
Oct. 17 vs. Wisconsin
Oct. 24 vs. Michigan
Oct. 31 at Iowa
Nov. 7 Bye
Nov. 14 vs. Ohio State
Nov. 21 at Purdue
Nov. 28 vs. Northwestern
Dec. 5 Big Ten Championship Game Indianapolis, Ind.

2016 Illinois Football Schedule
Sept. 3, 10, 17, 24 non-conference TBA
Oct. 1 vs. Penn State
Oct. 8 vs. Indiana
Oct. 15 at Wisconsin
Oct. 22 at Ohio State
Oct. 29 vs. Iowa
Nov. 5 at Michigan
Nov. 12 Bye
Nov. 19 vs. Purdue
Nov. 26 at Northwestern
Dec. 3 Big Ten Championship Game TBA

Permalink | Published in: Word

Amasong kicks off fundraising for a new CD

Tracy Nectoux — 2012-05-22T13:29:00+00:00

Join Amasong at Wines at the Pines for delicious food and drinks — wines for sampling or purchase, other gourmet beverages, appetizers, desserts — and the opportunity to help them kick off their Kickstarter fundraising campaign for the production of their next CD.

Admission is $10 at the door, with proceeds going directly to Amasong's CD fund.

Date: Thursday, May 24
Time: 6:00–8:00 p.m.

Permalink | Published in: Word

Illini Inn closed, other 5/22 headlines

Joel Gillespie — 2012-05-22T10:00:58+00:00

Permalink | Published in: Word

Street Food Beer Dinner at Destihl

Susanna Kline — 2012-05-22T02:05:56+00:00

When we think of street food, we think of spicy tacos and pork on a stick, which sounds like the perfect thing to wash down with a beer.

On Wednesday, May 30, Destihl will serve a Street Food Beer Dinner (the elevated version of what comes from the food cart) for $55 per guest, which includes four courses paired with four hand-crafted beers.

Buy tickets here or call Destihl at (217) 356-0301. (SK)

Permalink | Published in: Photo

Carmon’s hosting Memorial Day bash

Patrick Singer — 2012-05-21T21:50:48+00:00

Carmon's Bistro has been steadily branching out with incorporating music into their restaurant, hosting Records on the Patio every Thursday evening and generally playing pretty great music during service most other nights. Now they're hosting something a bit bigger this upcoming Monday. Their Memorial Day Bash will be from 4 to 8 p.m. and play host to The Dirty Feathers and Grandkids as the outdoor entertainment as well as having beer kegs and food available for purchase. There will soon be a menu with all they will be offering, but at the moment that is TBD. Check out the Facebook event for more up to the minute details about it. Not a bad way to spend your Memorial Day if you haven't made plans yet this year.

Permalink | Published in: Word

GOP taps Davis, other May 21 local headlines

Joel Gillespie — 2012-05-21T10:00:54+00:00

If being Miss America can’t get you on a congressional ballot, what hope is there for democracy?

· “Republican Party Leaders Name Davis as GOP Nominee” (WCIA)

· “GOP county chairs pick Davis for 13th District” (N-G)

· “Rodney Davis Chosen as GOP 13th District Nominee” (WILL)

· “Rodney Davis Chosen as Republican Nominee” (WICD)

· “Democrat Gill Reacts to Davis 13th District Nomination” (WILL)

Ooh, check out the progression here:

· “Police Search for Victims of Attempted Child Abduction” (WAND)

· “Police looking for children man may have contacted” (N-G)

· “Man Arrested In Attempted Abduction” (WCIA)

And other news:

· “UPDATED: Man fatally shot at Champaign apartment complex” (N-G)

· “City to take another look at food trucks” (N-G)

· “Student Sustainable Farm teams with architecture class to improve logistics” (DI)

· “Getting Personal: Mike Sola” (N-G)

· “Champaign to pick up mail processing; timing uncertain” (N-G)

Permalink | Published in: Word

Cyclist in critical condition, Johnson taps Harold, other 5/19 headlines

Joel Gillespie — 2012-05-19T10:00:52+00:00

A cyclist is in critical condition after being hit by a car on Coler Thursday, and the driver was charged with aggravated DUI:

“Bond at $500,000 in Urbana car-bicycle crash” (N-G)
“Driver Charged After Hitting Biker” (WICD)

Submitted without comment:

“Johnson Supports Former Miss America as Replacement” (WCIA)
“Johnson calls Erika Harold 'terrific choice'” (N-G)
“13th Congressional Candidates Face Off in Forum” (WILL)

Help C-U At Home if you can:

“Homeless agency sets fundraiser for 'desperate' need” (N-G)

And this is just a small sampling of the stories regarding the tragic shooting of Mekhi Woods:

“17-Year Old Also Arrested in Shooting of Toddler” (WCIA)
“Police Chief Says Shooting Death of Toddler Points Out Rules For Gun Safety” (WILL)
“Vigil held for toddler” (N-G)

Water quality and nuclear waste:

“Experts Weigh in on Landfill Plan at Town Hall Meeting” (WILL)

And a couple of odds-and-ends:

“Mahomet Man’s Racing Team Seeks Indy 500 Slot” (WILL)
“Local Businesses Attract Customers Using Pinterest” (WAND)
"UI Police Training Institute could face June 30 closing” (N-G)

Permalink | Published in: Word

More BEST at Mike ‘N Molly’s with Champaign Mayor Don Gerard

John Steinbacher — 2012-05-18T20:20:00+00:00

If you thoroughly enjoyed (or just loved to hate) all of our choices for BEST week, have no fear because we're not done yet. In two weeks, you will have the chance to see many SP Editors defend their choices in person. That's because on Friday, June 1 we will debut Happy Hour in the Garden: Smile Politely Radio Live with a focus on the BEST of C-U. This is the first of what we hope will be regular monthly live shows in Mike 'N Molly's Beer Garden.

And we won't be alone. For the first live show, we are very excited that Champaign Mayor Don Gerard has agreed to join us to discuss SP's Best 2012 series and talk about some of his favorite spots to eat, drink, and be merry around C-U. Plus, anyone who shows up will have the chance to talk about their own favorites.

There will be some prize giveaways and possible guest appearances. So come have a beer, enjoy the sun and berate an SP Editor. Of course, if you can't make it in person, you can listen live on WEFT - 90.1 FM at 5:30 p.m.

Permalink | Published in: Word